“I won’t let you fall, or be thrown, or kicked, or trampled and squished, and you certainly won’t die,” she replied, amused.
“I guess I’ll give it a go then,” I told her, smiling as she brushed her thumb over my cheek.
“You’ll give it a go, hmm?”
“For you,” I confirmed.
“What would you not do for me?” she asked quietly, and her tone was less amused, almost contemplative.
“I’d do anything for you,” I told her just as quietly. I meant it. She didn’t reply but resumed running her fingers through my hair until I fell asleep.
It was a firm shake of my shoulder that jostled me awake.
“We’ve arrived,” she told me, helping me sit up, her hands smoothing my hair. I must have slept for most of the journey and the summer afternoon sun was high in the sky.
One of the Sanguis Academy guards opened the door, and I followed the Princess back to her home while at the Academy. The Borealis Royal Guard at the door bowed to the Princess in greeting before opening the door for us. The guards that had travelled with us placed the luggage inside and left.
“We will unpack and change before leaving,” the Princess explained, and I began to wheel the suitcases to the bedroom.
“You don’t have any riding gear. If you enjoy today, we will get you properly kitted out,” she told me, as I watched her select her clothing.
“You need special clothing?” I asked.
“The most important items are riding boots and helmet,” she said, walking to the closet and pulling out a pair of black knee-high boots and a helmet, items that had not been packed and taken to the castle with us. “There are other items, legwear.” She selected a pair of slim black trousers with a sort of bumpy-looking grip material around the inner thighs. “These are breaches, more appropriate for longer boots. They contain an additional silicon seat for better grip to the saddle.” She held up a long sleeve black top. “Tops should be flexible to allow movement. Helmets should fit snuggly. There are also body protection options,” she explained.
I watched as the Princess began to change, removing her dark jeans and loose shirt. She pulled on the breaches that clung to her muscular legs and the long sleeve top. She picked up the boots that looked as if they had been cleaned and polished recently, not new, but well cared for and shiny.
“Can I help?” I asked, the words leaving with my voice before I had time to think about what I was asking.
She looked at me with a slight smirk on her lips. “You want to help me with my boots, pet?” she asked.
“Yeah, I mean, I could help you put them on?” I offered, embarrassed by my odd request and not understanding why I had such a sudden desire. She held the boots out towards me and sat at the edge of the bed.
I took the boots from her and dropped to my knees. They had a long zip at the back. I unzipped the first boot and ran my hand down the Princess’s calf to her heel, lifting her foot and placing it in her boot. I was careful when zipping the boot back up so as not to accidentally catch the material of her breeches. I followed the same process with the next boot. They fit her perfectly, and I ran my hands along her calves, around her shins and up to her knees when the task was complete, admiring the fit.
The Princess reached forward, taking hold of my jaw when I looked up at her, smiling and oddly pleased with myself. “Well done, pet,” she praised, and I felt my face heat with her words. She guided me to my feet with her hand at my jaw and pulled me between her legs. She released my jaw and took hold of my hips. “You’re my good girl, aren’t you?” she asked, pulling me forward and brushing her nose along my neck. I wrapped my arms around her waist loosely for balance.
“Yes,” I answered, my breath catching in my throat. I always wanted to be her good girl. A few months previously, I might have found it degrading to be spoken to in such a manner, but words of praise from my Princess left me feeling all warm and fluttery inside.
She began to kiss along my neck, followed by her teeth nipping harshly at my flesh and her tongue soothing my hot skin. Her arms wrapped around my waist, holding me securely against her as she marked me. Her marking was entrancing; everything else fell away. There was only the Princess; only her touch that ignited a fire beneath my skin.
“Mine.” She growled. I was unprepared for her fangs piercing my skin and released a scream that died as a moan.
She pulled away from me, not having drunk, her bite a more secure, lasting marking. Molten silver held my stare, her breath slightly heavy, and she crashed her lips to mine in a heady kiss, stealing my breath and senses.
When she released me from her kiss and hold, I stumbled without her support, dazed and overwhelmed. She reached out, steadying me with her hands at my hips.
“Are you okay?” she asked amused, as she stood from the bed.
“Uh.” It took me a moment to gather my thoughts and recover. “Yes. I’m good.”
She laughed and squeezed my hips, trusting me to stand unaided.
“Let’s go,” she said, taking my hand and leading me from the room.
We took a car to the equestrian centre.
“We’ll start at the office and sign in. Then we’ll select an appropriate horse. There are a few that I am comfortable with, tall and strong, capable of riding double, with calm personalities,” the Princess told me as she wrapped her arm around my shoulders, holding her helmet in her other hand.