“Have you ever been on a horse's back?”
“No,” I said in a nervous tone. Dad loved horses, but he never took the time to take me riding.
“Today is your lucky day.” He winked.
“Won't we get into trouble?” I asked, not wanting to upset Master Longwei after he had offered to help me with my classes.
“It is daytime, Elena. Besides, it’s why the horses are here, for our use.” He chuckled.
‘I don't know how to ride.” I sounded scared. What if I fall off or worse, get dragged? My luck usually fell more in the dangerous category.
“You won't fall, I promise,” he replied, as if he could read my mind.
We reached the stables in no time, and he led me to the last stall. Hot flushes washed over my body as I struggled to keep my eyes off him. I wondered how I’d ended up with a guy like him.
We stopped in front of a big yellow-beige horse with a soft creamy-orange colored mane and tail.
“This is Ginger. Her mother was a gift from King Albert to my father,” he explained as he put a saddle on her back.
“She’s really beautiful.” I wished I had the guts to stroke her.
He crouched down to buckle the laces underneath her. Lastly, he put her reins on and made sure that everything was safe and secure before leading her outside.
He climbed on her back and reached out for my hand. I smiled. I understood that we were going to ride together on one horse.
I grabbed his hand, and he lifted me up without any effort.
I felt a bit nervous but calmed down when I felt him right behind me. Ginger started to move, and there was nowhere to hold on to, so I grabbed one of his legs.
“Sorry.” I giggled nervously.
“Don't worry, Elena. I know the first time is usually nerve-wracking, but you’ll get used to it before we are done.” He took both reins in his left hand, while his other arm wrapped around my waist. He clicked his tongue, and she started to move forward. Her pace was extra slow, as if she sensed I was scared.
We passed the stables down to the right of the Coliseum. My heart still pounded fast with every move she made.
“How are your elbows feeling?” he whispered, and kissed me on my ear.
“I'll live.” I smiled. I didn't want to complain around him, but had to admit they were really stinging underneath the sleeves of my jersey.
“Collin’s an idiot, Elena. One kick and he’ll go down.”
“He might be an idiot, but he’s a‘fast’ idiot. He doesn't even give me a chance to kick him,” I said in a sarcastic tone.
“I’ll teach you the finer details about fighting,” he said, without giving it any thought.
I liked the idea of spending more time with him. “I can understand why people from the other side are going mental. Subjects here are completely the opposite of what we’re used to. If they knew that we fight here with swords and axes and it is mandatory, they would think I’m nuts.”
He shook behind me and I heard a soft snort.
“I am glad I can't leave. I love everything about Paegeia. I can't imagine how dull it is without dragons or being able to fight without weapons.”
“Thanks for offering me your help. Are you sure it's not going to be a problem?”
“Elena,” he said with a surprised tone, “time with you will never be a problem.” His words made me feel like one of his gems, and my one hand slid over his arm that was holding me tight.
I gasped when we reached our destination. It was on top of a hill, looking down on an immense landscape. A perfect spot for a picnic. The view took my breath away, and an urge to start painting again developed inside my gut. I used to be good at it, but I’d lost the passion a long time ago.
He helped me down after he’d jumped off and chose the nearest flat rock for us to sit on. Gazing out over the expansive landscape,I couldn’t help but wonder that it was weird how no dragons were soaring in the sky like I thought they would.
“So, how do things look on the other side?” he asked me, breaking the silence.
“To be honest, I didn't know what to expect on my first trip to Elm. I imagined totally the opposite, thinking I would have to shop with dragons and that I’d have to dodge poop droppings.”
He sniggered. “It is forbidden.”
“What, the poop droppings”
We both laughed.
“This side looks exactly the same, except for the dragons and magic.”
“What did you learn in school then?” he asked.
“Almost the same as in Dragonia. Social studies and anatomy of different animal species. We had math too, but it’s much easier than Paegeia's. I hate it, and you can just imagine how much I love it on this side.”