A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 29: Horse Riding

"What about you?" He asked, his hands resting on the edge of the bed. His tussled hair was blown by the wind to momentarily cover his face. "What do you want?"

Elena’s lips moved trying to form some words, and when she noticed his eyes trained on them, she parsed them, memories of his earlier kiss flooding her mind.

"My brother says it’s the duty of a prrincess to get married for the good of the kingdom." She paused to look at him. "But I don’t believe that is entirely right."

"What do you believe in, Elena Thornhart?" He asked, calling her by her full name for once. She had to admit she liked it when it rolled from his tongue.

"I believe we should all be treated as equals regardless of gender. If a lance is placed in a prince’s hands, then should a princess." He lifted his lips to a smirk and Elena raised a brow. "You don’t think it is funny, don’t you?"

"It isn’t, but you are right now." He pointed at her face. "Particularly when you raised that brow of yours."

Elena’s face turned serious now, not wanting to give Gabriel the satisfaction he wanted. However, his smile broadened into an awe, his eyes roaming her face as if he’d seen a new creature.

"Do you realize how beautiful you are right now?" He asked, his voice genuine. In truth, she looked even more beautiful when she was serious, especially with those huffed cheeks.

Elena was short of words. No matter any funny facial expression she put on, Gabriel would always find her beautiful where his brother would be rolling on the floor. Andrian would always joke at how funny she looked when serious but this!

"I can’t make you my equal but I can try to make you what you want," he said, his face now serious. "Have you ever ridden a horse before?"

Elena shook her head, "no."

Gabriel surveyed her outfit, his gaze on the length of her body making her feel insecure instantly. His eyes moved up and down her length, and she felt as if he was undressing her with his very eyes. But when those golden orbs rested on her eyes, she found nothing lustful in them.

"You might want to change into something comfortable," he said. "I’ll be waiting for you in the stables." He turned around, his back facing her before he walked out. She watched him leave until his silhouette was out of sight.

Elena stood up, her heart racing in anticipation. She walked by the mirror and spotted her smiling self staring back at her. Her brother never allowed her to ride her horse, which he termed unladylike, but Gabriel was willing to break the rules.

Jophiel entered just in time, a fresh set of clothes in her hands. Elena turned and saw a pair of pants amongst the clothes.

"You don’t want to keep him waiting, do you?" Jophiel asked, all smiles now.

"No," she said, her hands held close. Jophiel walked up to her and started undoing the stripes from her back. She noted the bandage on Elena’s elbow but didn’t dare to ask anything.

"Your husband is such a kind man," Jophiel said when the dress fell off Elena’s body. She noticed the wound on her back too but said nothing.

"He is." Elena could see the way Jophiel stared at her wounds from across the mirror. She walked over to the bed and picked a blouse.

"Let me..."

"I’ll do it myself," she said, and Jophiel met her eyes in the mirror but quickly cast them on the floor.

"My Lady," she offered a curtsy after handing the blouse to El. "I’ll be outside if you need anything," she added and left.

Elena slipped into the blouse. She knew Jophiel was disgusted by her wounds. She’d be disgusted too if she was made to serve a wounded person. The countable times she had seen one, it always left an unpleasant picture in her mind.

In less than ten minutes, she was already dressed. She stepped out adorned in a black pair of gloves and pants that hugged her figure tightly. The knights along the hallway couldn’t help but throw lustful glances at her.

"This way My Lady." Jophiel led her through the unfamiliar corridors until they appeared in the castle’s backyard. Lord! The place smelled of horse shit!

On the center was a clearing probably used for jousting, and there he stood. He was holding the reins of a white horse, her long mane completely masking her left eye.

Elena halted momentarily when she saw the mount. It was the most beautiful horse she’d ever laid her eyes upon.

"Go My Lady. He’s waiting for you," Jophiel urged her. She clasped her hands together and walked over towards the center. Jophiel stood by the rampants to watch the two closely. She had a story to share with her fellow maids! She could already imagine the giggles on their faces.

Elena halted in front of the horse, not noticing Gabriel’s eyes on her. The outfit she wore, particularly the pants, were tight displaying the curves she’d been hiding under her dresses. His eyes moved to her back and settled on her round ass. What the hell could he ask for with such a goddess!? And this goddess was his wife!

"You can touch her," he said. And when Elena was hesitant, he took her by the hand, ungloved it and placed it on the horse’s head. He was so close now he could feel her body pressed against his.

Unbeknownst to Elena, she was all smiles admiring the beauty of the mount. Her fingers softly caressed the horses mane and the horse leaned closer as if liking her touch.

"She likes you," Gabriel said. He handed the reins at her. "Do you want to ride her?"

She nodded exaggeratingly, like a little child. Gabriel held her by her waist, and as if weightless, hoisted her up on the saddle. He placed her foot and the horse moved a bit but he calmed her. He hopped on next and sat behind her. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Pull the reins," he instructed, his warm breath fanning against Elena’s skin.