The Billionaire’s Royal Challenge (Devotion and Dynasty Trilogy #2)

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

ELENA

T he sudden cry of panic drew Elena’s attention away from Maddie who proudly sat on top of her white steed. Her features crinkled as she snapped her gaze in the direction of the sound.

Her eyes went wide, and her stomach dropped.

Nate had managed to mount his horse, but Phoenix had bolted shortly after, dragging his rider with him.

Elena’s heart raced as she watched Nate struggling to hang on to his horse. Her mind raced with the fear of what could happen if she didn’t reach him in time.

“Oh, no!” Elena shouted as she scurried toward her horse, swinging into the saddle and setting the horse into a fast run with a swift kick.

Alexander already raced after Nate, but she caught him easily. “Can he ride at all?”

“No. He’s never been on a horse before,” she shouted as she urged more speed from the animal beneath her. “Come on, Sapphire, faster.”

“The ravine is ahead!” Alexander shouted over the wind whistling past her.

“I know,” she answered, her voice brimming with panic. “I must reach him before then. He could be thrown or worse. Phoenix is panicked.”

“I will circle around and try to cut them off at the pass.”

“You’re too slow…but I cannot let him out of my sight.”

Alexander offered her a nod. “I’ll be as fast as I can.”

He tugged the reins of his massive horse, pulling him to the side. The hooves of her own horse thundered under her as she pushed the animal to continue at the hard pace.

“Come on, Sapphire, we must catch them.”

The horse’s nostrils flared as she galloped at full speed. Her smaller frame meant she’d need to run faster to gain ground.

In front of them, Nate struggled to hang on to his wild steed, slipping sideways.

Elena’s heart skipped a beat as she watched the scene unfold from afar, unable to do anything as she still remained too far behind him.

“Nathan!” Her voice, barely audible over the pounding of hooves, failed to reach him. She pressed her heels into Sapphire’s sides, urging the horse faster, her heart pounding in her chest.

She pressed her lips together, her muscles tightening as the horse finally inched closer to Nate’s.

“Yes, that’s it, Sapphire. Faster. Just a little more.”

Ahead of them, Phoenix darted sideways on an unruly path, allowing her to gain more ground.

Within seconds, she’d caught up to them, the nose of her horse reaching the tail of Nate’s.

“Nathan! Try to pull back on the reins.”

He offered her a terrified glance as he sought to grab them, his hands desperately trying to find the cord while he also hung on to the animal.

It was no use. He wasn’t knowledgeable enough on horseback to bring the animal to a stop. She leaned over, trying to reach the reins herself, but she couldn’t manage to grasp them.

She’d have to do something desperate. With a steadying breath and her heart pounding hard, she kept Sapphire running alongside Phoenix.

She shifted herself in the saddle, preparing for the move. After another breath, she leapt from her horse onto the back of Nate’s and scrambled to get her legs around it. She reached around Nate, blindly searching for the reins.

When she found them, she curled her fingers around them and tugged hard. The horse slowed its panicked gallop, fighting her initially, but finally giving in to the command.

Her heart continued to pound even after the horse slowed to a canter before finally slowing to a stop with a whinny and a neigh, bobbing its head.

“There, there, Phoenix. It’s quite all right,” she said before she blew out a long breath. “Nathan, are you okay?”

“Uh,” he said, his voice shaky, “I–I think so.”

He twisted to face her, his eyes still wide and panic still etched into every line of his face. Alexander appeared in front of them, his shoulders slumping as he noticed they had stopped. “Where is Sapphire?”

“She ran. She should stop herself, but can you fetch her?” Elena called back.

He nodded and turned his horse in a circle to set off in search of Elena’s. Elena rubbed Nate’s shoulder before she dismounted, keeping a firm hold of the reins.

“I’m going to steady him while you dismount.”

He bobbed his head, looking terrified to move .

“It’s all right, Nathan, I’ve got a firm hold of him.”

Nate swallowed hard before he swung his leg over, reaching the ground and nearly collapsing on it. “I don’t know what happened.”

She wrapped an arm around him and pulled him closer into an embrace. “He panicked. Sometimes it happens. I’m sorry he did whilst you were riding him.”

She pulled back and studied him. “Are you certain you’re not hurt?”

“Only my pride,” he answered with a frown. “I’m not doing too good with anything so far, am I?”

“It was your first time on a horse, Nathan. You’ll learn.”

He eyed the horse as though he wished to never see one again.

“Or not if you prefer not to ride.”

“All of the royals ride, don’t they?”

“Yes. It is quite a popular pastime amongst us. But there is no need for you to learn if you’re not keen on it.”

Alexander appeared again, this time leading Sapphire back with him.

“Oh good,” Elena said as he approached, “you found her.”

She crossed to her horse and patted her nose. “Excellent job, Sapphire. You did very well.”

“And how are you?” Alexander asked Nate. “I’ve never known Phoenix to be so spirited.”

“Neither have I,” Elena said with a shake of her head. “I specifically asked for our older, calmer horses for all of the Kingsleys for this specific reason.”

“What could have caused the alarm?” Alexander pondered.

Elena shifted her gaze back toward the stables in the distance. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t done on purpose.”

“On purpose?” Nate asked.

“I don’t trust Isabelle or Julian.”

“He could have been killed!” Alexander exclaimed.

Elena flicked her eyebrows up. “Yes, I know. But those two don’t seem to care.”

Alexander heaved a sigh as he shook his head. “I hope they will stop this nonsense if they were the ones to cause it. Shall we head back?”

“Yes,” Elena answered with a nod. “We’ll walk our horses back–“

Nate squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. “I can try again.”

“There’s the spirit, old chap. Get right back on the horse,” Alexander said with a grin.

“Are you certain?”

Nate offered a tentative grin. “I know Maddie really wants to ride. She’ll kill me if I ruin this for her.”

“Here’s the key, mate,” Alexander said. “Grab a firm hold of the reins, and squeeze with your knees. The horse must know you are in control.”

Nate bobbed his head, his nerves apparent.

“I’ll hold him steady until you are ready to try,” Elena added.

Nate blew out a long breath, grabbing hold of the pommel before he vaulted onto the horse.

“There you go. First try this time. Good work. Now, grab hold of the reins like so…” Alexander demonstrated with his own grip. “Tight, but not strained, you see?”

Elena slid them over the horse’s head and handed them off to Nate. He grabbed hold of them, his knuckles white.

She crossed to her own steed and climbed into the saddle before she guided the horse toward Phoenix. “We’ll set an easy pace. Phoenix should follow our horses easily. He’s not a lead pony.”

Nate shot her a nervous glance the moment she set her horse into motion. This time Phoenix refused to move at all. She chuckled as she rode back toward them.

“It seems you are stuck with two modes: full speed or nothing at all.”

“He doesn’t like me, that’s for sure,” Nate answered.

“Give him a little nudge with your foot at his ribs.”

Nate shifted in the saddle. “Uh…”

“Just a tap, gently.”

Nate flicked his heel against the horse’s body, and Phoenix finally took a few meandering steps forward before he fell in line behind Alexander.

“There you are. See, not so bad now. If you wish to slow him, just pull back on the reins. If he begins to canter, hold tight with your knees and lift up a bit in the saddle, otherwise you may end up quite sore.”

“Right,” Nate answered.

They made their way back to the stables to regroup with the others.

“Oh, Nate!” Victoria shouted as they joined them. “Thank heavens. I was worried you’d fall off.”

“He held on quite well,” Alexander answered. “And Elena managed to leap onto Phoenix’s back and slow him.”

“Thank you, Elena,” Victoria said, pressing a hand against her chest. “All right, get down from there.”

“No, we’re going riding,” Nate insisted.

“Nate, are you sure?”

“Come on, Mom. I want to go, too!” Maddie said.

“I just…think it’s been enough of a day already.”

“I have to learn,” Nate said, his insistence obvious through his tight jaw.

Victoria shot her eyebrows upward. “All right. If you insist.”

With the help of a groom, she climbed back into her saddle, and they set off again, with Elena leading the way, and Alexander taking the rear to watch the others ride.

They meandered around the property with no further incidents, arriving back at the stables and dismounting.

“You did wonderfully,” Elena said as she slid her arm through Nate’s on the walk back to the house. “I’m so proud of you for riding after that.”

“Oh, yeah? Good, I was terrified.”

“Were you? Why didn’t you say? We could have saved it for another time.”

“Because I didn’t want to give you another reason to doubt that I can fit in. I’ll learn to ride. I already talked to Alexander about going out again to learn more.” His features pinched as he made the promise.

She offered him a warm smile. “I have no doubts about you fitting in, Nathan. You will. It will take some time, but you will soon learn all the protocols. They will be second nature.”

He smiled at her as the house came into view.

“How about a ride on a horse that won’t throw you?” she asked.

Maddie twisted to grin at them, sliding a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear. “On the carousel?”

“Yes. Would you like to join us?”

Maddie nodded. “Mom, I’m going with Nate and Ellie.”

“All right. I think your father and I have had enough horses for the day. I’m heading in for a little R&R before dinner.”

“Please let the staff know if you’d like anything. Tea, maybe,” Elena said.

“I will. Enjoy the carousel.”

They parted ways, and Elena led them to the rear of the house. The carousel gleamed in the late afternoon sun, its colorful exterior casting a mesmerizing glow .

“Elena and her carousel. When she was six, she insisted on having one. And do you know why she got it?” Alexander asked as he strode along with them.

“Because she’s a princess?” Maddie asked, blushing at him.

“You would think so, but royals aren’t so readily spoiled as some may think. No, Elena got one because she constantly sneaked away to ride the one in Cresthaven. They caught her there so many times, Uncle Frederick had to promise her a carousel to stop her.”

Elena grinned at her cousin, poking him in the chest. “You love telling that story, don’t you?”

“I find it almost as humorous as the one where you slapped Prince Eric after learning you were meant to marry him.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

“Very funny,” Elena said before she stole a glance at Nate. He kept his eyes trained on the carousel after the last comment. She wondered if it bothered him. He seemed wound tightly even at the country estate, worried about disappointing her in some way. Though, he couldn’t. She’d have to tell him that.

They climbed onto the carousel, and she disappeared into the central column to start the calliope and begin the platform spinning.

When she emerged, she joined the others, climbing onto a slowly moving horse with a laugh. The carousel picked up speed and soon they were flying around in circles as the horses bobbed up and down.

Elena glanced at Nate, who finally cracked a smile that reached his eyes as she stretched her fingers out in search of his hand.

He grabbed hold of hers, squeezing it. Her mind regressed to their first date where they’ d done the same. Things had been less complicated then, but she’d only grown to love him more with every passing moment.

A surge of warmth rushed through her. Despite the challenges they faced, their love remained strong.

It didn’t matter what it took, she’d fight for their relationship. And she’d help him along the way with whatever he needed to fit in.

They rode the carousel until they couldn’t see straight, leaving it behind in a cloud of laughs as they stumbled back toward the house.

“I dare say, we should have stopped sooner,” Alexander said with a chuckle. “I’ll barely be able to dress for dinner.”

“I never can tie the bowtie,” Nate said, “so, no loss for me.”

“Oh, I’ll help you, darling,” Elena answered, “though there is no tie required tonight. A much more casual dining affair.”

“Good,” Nate said with a nod. “Hopefully, no one will say anything wrong like my mom about arranged marriages. I hope she didn’t insult your parents.”

“Quite all right. Customs are different everywhere. I’m sure they weren’t offended. See you in an hour?” Elena asked.

He nodded as they stood at the intersection of two halls. The others went toward their rooms, but she kept a firm hold of his hand until they were alone. With a sly grin, she planted a kiss on his lips. “I love you. Remember that.”

He slid his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. “I love you, too. So much. And I’m going to figure things out. I promise.”

“I know you will. See you soon.”

After another brush of his lips, she pulled away from him, floating through the halls on a cloud toward her room.

As she rounded the corner, her lightheartedness plummeted. Standing in front of her door was her cousin Isabelle with the usual smirk on her lips .

Elena strode toward the door. “Are you pleased with yourself? You could have killed Nathan.”

Isabelle scoffed. “By kissing him?”

“By frightening his horse into a panic.”

“I have no idea what you are referring to,” Isabelle said with a shrug.

“I don’t believe you. And if you’re not here to gloat, what are you doing here? I thought you were ordered to stay away from everyone?” Elena asked, setting a hand on her hip.

“I’m here to do as I was told. Issue you an apology.”

Elena rolled her eyes. “Save it, Isabelle. I don’t want to hear it.”

“Oh, but I’m afraid you must. You see, I must make a private apology and a public one. Here is the first of those.” She sauntered closer to her cousin, lifting her chin. “Elena, I am sorry. Sorry that the man you have chosen is as dull as dishwater. Sorry that you have so stupidly fallen for a man like this that I can easily manipulate the both of you. Oh, but I will have fun doing it. Bet on that.”

Elena’s jaw tightened at her cousin’s words, and before she could step away, she clamped a hand on her wrist. “You may find this amusing, Isabelle, but I do not. I warn you, cousin, do not push me too far, or else–“

“Or else what? You’ll cry to Daddy? Uncle Frederick will never do anything too harsh to me. And you…well, your hands will always be tied by the crown that sits upon your head. Enjoy your moments with Nathan Kingsley while they last. They are not long for this world.”

Isabelle yanked her arm free of Elena’s grasp, leaving the threat hanging between them as she sauntered down the hall.

Elena’s heart pinched, knowing her cousin would not let up. She’d had an uphill battle all along, but with this opposition, she may lose everything she’d ever wanted.