Ruin (The Rhodes 1)

I smile. There’s still that curious kitten inside her who wouldn’t keep her mouth shut for the world. There’s hope after all. If it’s her hate towards me that threw her into this state, then I can bring her back together again.

Once I open the large entrance’s door, Jet nickers, stomping his hoofs in greeting. Silver looks my way but soon glances away.

She prefers Tristan.

Kane hands me the reins and disappears with a nod. I pat Jet’s neck. He takes the chance to bury his

muzzle in my chest.

“Are they yours?”

I beckon at Mae, who’s still in the doorway, to join me. Her gaze travels left and right. There’s no hint of that free bird in them. She’s not even thinking about escaping, she’s merely observing her surroundings.

A few moments later, she shuffles from the door to stand beside me. Her attention on Silver.

The grey mare snorts at Mae’s nearness. I tug on her reins. “Easy, Silver.”

“Silver.” Mae’s lips move in a small smile. “Very fitting.”

Hell. I didn’t know how much I’d missed that smile until I saw it.

Mae extends her hand to Silver’s white and grey pigmented coat. As on cue, the mare reaches out for Mae. The damn traitor. She doesn’t respond to me but she greets Mae as if she’s an old acquaintance.

Mouse’s lean fingers caress Silver’s neck, the bruises prominent against her pale skin. The traces still didn’t disappear. A witness to her half-broken state. Yet, the smile doesn’t leave her lips as she caresses Silver. The mare keeps still, enjoying Mae’s touch a bit too much.

“Have you mounted a horse before?”

Her hands halt their sensual caress, as if only noticing my existence. She clears her throat. “It’s... been some time. My grandfather had a farm but ever since he died, I didn’t have the chance to ride a horse.”

Good to know she has experience. I’m bad at teaching things.

With a swift movement, I mount Jet, clutch the reins with a relaxed grip. “You won’t have troubles with Silver. She’s a docile Arabian breed.” My horse snorts, excited for a walk. I pat him. “Easy, Jet.”

Mae shakes her head, a look of defiance on her face. “What if I want to mount Jet?”

“He is my horse.”

“So?” She purses her full lips.

I begrudgingly rip my eyes from her lips and narrow them on her now-challenging gaze. “So I won’t allow you to ride my horse.”

Before I can register what’s going on, Mae puts one foot on the stirrup and positions herself in front of me. I have to push myself back to not get us both on the stony pavement.

She twists her neck until she’s half facing me with a victorious smile. “Oh look at that, I’m riding your horse.”

My hands itch to throw her off Jet and see if her snarky attitude will stop the fall from breaking her neck.

“Go on to Silver. She’s docile.” Her smile transforms into an infuriating smirk. “Only she doesn’t seem to like you.”

The fucking...

Before I submit to the urge of pushing her off, I trap her body between the reins and my chest, kicking Jet into cantering.

“What are you doing?” Mae tries to push me to no avail. “You need to get off.”

“If you don’t shut up, you will be the one to get off. With a broken neck.”

She clasps her mouth shut. Then, as expected, opens it again. “Fine! I’ll go to Silver.” She throws me a death glare as I stop Jet and she descends him. Her sun-kissed blonde-grey hair brushes against my chest. I inhale the sweet citrus and smile.