Chapter 89 - Joy

ETAN

As soon as they disappeared under the trees, Etan nudged his animal up next to Ayleth's and reached for her hand.

That familiar jolt shocked every nerve and joint in his arm, but he only tightened his fingers and returned the smile she gave him.

"This is… a gift," he said, his voice low and gruff.

"I agree," she said through her smile, her fingers tightening on his. "I keep waiting for the thing that will stop us from getting to enjoy it."

"Never," he said, "I won't allow it," then he leaned towards her so his horse was belly to belly with hers. The kiss was short, but soft, and as his lips traced hers, the heat in his belly reached for her. He hummed as he sat up and his horse, feeling his excitement, began to jog.

Ayleth gave him a sly look. "Where is it we're headed?"

Etan looked ahead and nodded at the ridge they could see, the V of its peak silhouetted against the summer sky. "Straight for the center of that, Falek said," he replied.

Ayleth turned and frowned. "It will take half an hour to get there."

"Probably."

"Loser has to rub down the horses," she said, and without warning, dug her heels into her horse's sides. The animal, clearly accustomed to his handler's whims, leapt into a gallop that set Etan's stallion dancing and snorting until he laughed and gave it rein.

Ahead of him, Ayleth looked back over her shoulder to make sure he was coming, then urged her mount ahead again.

"You may run, my love, but you'll never lose me," he murmured and laughed as he gave chase.

His taller, stronger mount made gains quickly on the straight trail, but as they neared the Ravine and it began to wind, he was forced to slow to protect his horse's legs lest the poor beast snap one trying to make the turns.

They ran for several minutes, the horses catching their excitement and eager to run after weeks stuck in the stables, or on placid walks. But finally the path opened up and they had a long, clear meadow, with a dark wood on its other side. He felt her heart jump when they broke out of the trees, and he laughed aloud.

Taking a line that was slightly diagonal, his larger stallion quickly caught her mare and then they were neck and neck.

"It isn't winning if you have to cheat to do it," he called to her past the wind of the galloping horses.

"And it's still losing if your mount can't handle the turns!" she called back, beaming and leaning over her horse's neck to make it easier for the animal to stretch out.

She had taken a straight line across the meadow towards the trail on the other side, so Etan was forced to pull his mount wide to get around her and try to beat her there.

His stallion had pulled forward, almost beyond her horse's head, and he was about to angle it ahead of her so that she couldn't keep the straight line without running into them, when he heard her gasp in horror.

Sitting back and pulling up hard on the reins he whirled in his seat, his stomach clenched as his horse bounced to a stop, prepared to turn and—

But Ayleth only cackled with laughter and whipped past him, her mount entering the trail first, still at a full gallop.

"Cheating vixen!" he called after her, laughing.

"How does it feel to lose to a woman? AGAIN!" she called back, her voice descending into giggles as she wove her smaller, quicker mount through the trees.

Etan was laughing so hard he was forced to slow. She looked back twice to see him pulling up and she slowed as well, eventually stopping on the train and turning her horse broadside until he caught up with her at a simple trot, his horse blowing hard.

When he reached her, he walked his horse right up until it put its head over the neck of her mount and he reached for her, sliding his hand to the back of her head to pull her into a deep kiss.

She came willingly, sighing, even as her breath was quick from the long gallop.

For a moment there was nothing except the sweet taste of her mouth, and the stamp of his horse's hoof. Then he pulled back just far enough to meet her eyes. "You are beautiful, even when you're cheating," he whispered.

She rolled her eyes and turned her horse back up the trail so they could ride side by side.

"I've always wanted to do that," she said a moment later as they walked under the trees.

"Do what?"

"Race a man, just for fun."

Etan frowned. "You've never raced friends on your horses?" She shook her head. "Not even Falek?"

She shrugged. "There have been many moments when we've run the horses. But the few men who ride with me come as servants or guards, or teachers. They either let me win, or never begin to race at all. And when my ladies ride, it is always a simple walk, because they do not wish to have their hair… like this?" she said dryly, combing her fingers through her now-tangled copper locks.

Etan shook his head. As a young man he'd done little but race his horses against his friends. It was just another example of the differences in their upbringings as male and female.

"Love, when we have daughters, I will not only race them, I will beat them until I am too old to do so, and then we will know that the time has come to allow them the reins of the Kingdom."

He'd meant it as a joke, but she turned and looked at him, her eyes wide. "You would have daughters? And… ride with them? Teach them yourself?"

Etan frowned. "Of course. Wouldn't you?"

"Yes, but I'm a woman. I thought all men wanted a son? Especially as firstborn. I know my father loves me and believes I can rule. But he has not hidden his grief that his Heir was not a male. He fear the loss of power to the family name when I marry," she said.

The rage he thought he'd shaken off was roaring in his ears again, suddenly. He had to take a moment to look away from her and breathe. When he turned back, she was watching him carefully.

"Ayleth, I pray we have a daughter, and that if we do, she is as strong and capable as you. I will do everything in my power to ensure she is equipped to become whatever, or whomever, she wishes. Including Queen of both our realms."

Ayleth's brow wrinkled and she gave a sad smile. "You are such a good man, Etan," she said quietly. "The world needs more of you."