Chapter 87: Let Yourself Go
Before Nina could react, Rodrigo lifted her effortlessly from the ground.
A startled yelp escaped her lips.
The world shifted, and the next instant she was seated atop the broad black stallion.
The horse shifted beneath her, powerful muscles rolling under its glossy coat. It felt impossibly tall. Nina instinctively pitched forward, grabbing for the front of the saddle.
Rodrigo steadied her immediately, one hand braced firmly against her side before she could tip any farther.
"Don’t move."
His voice was calm. Steady.
As though lifting a grown woman onto a warhorse was something light.
The stallion snorted softly.
Rodrigo stroked its neck in a slow, reassuring motion. The animal lowered its head almost instantly, the tension melting from its body beneath his touch.
Only then did he turn to her.
"Your foot."
Nina obeyed without a word.
His hand wrapped lightly around her boot, guiding it into the stirrup with careful precision. He adjusted it until the ball of her foot rested comfortably.
"There."
He moved around the horse, repeating the motion on the opposite side before stepping back to inspect both stirrups.
Only when he seemed satisfied did he mount behind her in one fluid movement.
The stallion shifted beneath their combined weight.
Nina immediately stiffened.
Every muscle in her body locked.
"Relax," Rodrigo murmured.
"I am."
A quiet huff of amusement escaped him.
"No."
His voice remained low. "You look like you are about to fall off,"
Nina’s brows knitted together.
"I am not."
Before she could argue any further, he reached around her, gathering the leather reins into his hands. His forearms rested on either side of her without caging her in, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from him.
"Sit deeper into the saddle."
Nina shifted awkwardly.
"Like this?"
A moment of quiet.
"A little farther."
Nina blinked, then she scooted back another inch, holding her breath.
"There."
The stallion took its first step.
Nina wasn’t ready.
The gentle rolling motion caught her completely off guard, and she lurched forward with a small gasp.
Rodrigo’s hand immediately settled against her waist, steadying her before panic could take hold.
She breathed in, her shoulders tensing again.
"Let yourself go," he instructed.
"I’m trying." Nina said, "I’ve never done this before."
There was a moment of quiet, then he spoke again.
This time there was something softer in his voice.
"Let the horse carry you. Don’t force your body to stay still."
Nina drew a slow breath, easing her tensed shoulders slowly.
The stallion continued at an easy walk around the riding house.
Its hooves sank rhythmically into the sand while the scent of leather, hay and fresh earth filled the cool evening air.
At first every step felt unpredictable.
Then...
Little by little...
She stopped resisting the movement.
Instead of bouncing against it, her body began moving with the horse.
The difference was immediate.
"Better."
There was unmistakable satisfaction in Rodrigo’s voice.
A bright smile tugged at Nina’s lips.
The tight knot that had sat in her chest all morning slowly unraveled, replaced by a light, unfamiliar warmth that unfurled through her. For the first time since she woke up that morning, breathing came easily.
She refused to think too hard about why.
At the far end of the arena, Rodrigo gave the reins the gentlest cue.
The stallion curved gracefully into a turn.
Nina instinctively leaned the wrong way.
The sudden shift stole her balance.
Her stomach dropped.
She gasped.
Before fear could fully settle, Rodrigo’s arm wrapped securely around her waist and pulled her back against him.
The impact was gentle.
Solid.
For one suspended heartbeat, everything else disappeared.
She could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing.
Feel the firm line of his chest against her back.
The faint scent of cedar and leather clung to him, warm and strangely comforting.
Even the stallion seemed to disappear beneath them.
His arm remained around her only until he was certain she had found her balance again.
Slowly...
Reluctantly, it seemed...
He let her go.
Neither of them spoke.
Only the steady rhythm of hoof beats echoed through the riding house.
After another slow lap, Rodrigo reached forward again.
This time, instead of the reins...
His hand gently enclosed hers.
Nina’s breath caught.
Without saying a word, he guided her fingers around the leather reins.
"You can hold them."
She curled her fingers around the worn leather.
"They’re lighter than I expected."
His hand remained over hers.
"Don’t pull."
He demonstrated the smallest movement imaginable.
"A horse responds to confidence."
The stallion shifted direction almost immediately.
"Not force."
He adjusted her grip with a gentle touch before releasing her hand.
"Now you."
Nina swallowed.
She copied the motion exactly as he’d shown her.
The stallion responded instantly, turning exactly as she’d intended.
Nina’s eyes widened.
"Look, I did it."
Rodrigo made a sound.
The quiet pride in his voice made warmth bloom inside her chest.
She couldn’t stop smiling.
They completed another circuit of the arena before Rodrigo gently brought the stallion to a halt.
He dismounted first, landing lightly on the sand.
Turning toward her, he held out his hand.
Nina looked at it for a brief moment before placing her own in his.
His fingers closed around hers.
Steady and warm.
He guided her forward until she sat at the edge of the saddle.
His free arm slipped around her waist as he lifted her down.
Her boots settled softly into the sand.
But Rodrigo didn’t let go.
Neither of them moved.
The riding house seemed to fall away until all Nina could hear was the slow rhythm of her own heartbeat.
She looked up.
He was already watching her.
His grey eyes held hers with an intensity that made her chest tighten.
His hand still rested there against her waist.
The seconds stretched.
She searched his face.
His expression remained unreadable, yet something had changed.
His jaw tightened ever so slightly as his gaze drifted from her eyes...
...to her lips.
Nina forgot to breathe.
The air between them suddenly felt too warm. Too thin.
Her pulse fluttered wildly inside her chest. Her lips parted before she realized it.
Almost without thinking, she leaned toward him.
Only the smallest distance.
Barely enough to notice.
For one impossible heartbeat, she was certain he was going to kiss her.
She wanted him to.
Then something shifted.
A flicker crossed his face so quickly she almost missed it.
He drew a slow breath.
His hand slipped away from her waist and he took a step back.
The warmth between them vanished instantly, leaving an unexpected chill in its wake.
Nina’s eyes trembled as she stared at him.
"We’re done for today." His voice came out rough.
Hoarse.
She opened her mouth, but before she could find the words, Rodrigo had already turned away.
He strode across the riding house, and walked past the heavy doors without another glance.
Silence settled over the arena. Nina remained exactly where she was.
Her waist still tingled where his hand had rested, her fingers itching at her sides.
Behind her, the stallion huffed softly and nudged her shoulder with its nose.
The gentle nudge pulled her back to the present.
A few moments later, another lycan entered the riding house and walked towards her,
He bowed respectfully when he reached where she stood.
"Luna." he greeted. ’’I am here to take the Alpha’s horse.’’
He said. Nina blinked once, and shifted away from the horse letting the servant pull it away.
Nina stood still in the middle of the arena staring at the entrance. She didn’t even get to ask him what color he would like to wear to the ball.
Muttering a quiet curse, Nina pulled her feet forward. She’d not taken three steps when Moreen appeared at the doors.
"Luna."
Moreen ran towards her, and Nina stopped walking, her brows creasing as she watched her approach.
"What is it?" Nina asked.
"Your sister is here."