A Dove's Tale

Chapter 101

After Chevalier's impressive demonstration of just how much control he had over Blade, even without holding the reins, I gave a tentative command, and then another, and another, a thrill running through me as I realized the massive cavalry horse beneath me was doing what I wanted him to do. I didn't use my voice, as Chevalier had, but Blade's response was just as immediate to the physical directions Chevalier explained to me at the beginning of the ride. It wasn't long until I held the reins confidently in relaxed hands, smiling at the wind whipping through my hair as Blade's smooth canter ate up the ground and made the city in the distance nothing but a blur. I slowed him to a walk as the village came into view, unwilling for the ride to be over. Or for us to reach our destination.

"You learn quickly," Chevalier said. His arms were still secure around my waist, reassuring me of his presence whenever the anxiety threatened to rear its ugly head again.

"Well, I have a wonderful teacher," I replied, patting Blade's neck. "And he's really well-trained. Why did Licht say he was wild?"

"He is. I rode him for several hours this afternoon to tire him out for this," Chevalier replied.

"I thought you'd be preparing for the coronation ceremony."

"My preparations are done, as are yours. There's nothing you can learn tomorrow that you can master in a single day, and you already have the skills required for the task at hand."

That was high praise coming from Chevalier. He and Sariel had a tendency to understate their compliments or deliver them via implication rather than words. I smiled and focused on the warmth wrapping around my heart instead of the dread I felt at the thought of the coronation ceremony.

"Could we go riding again tomorrow?"

"No. It takes time for the body to adjust to the saddle, and you'll be sore tomorrow. Riding again would make dancing difficult at the ball."

"Oh. Well, we can just read, then, or go for a walk in the gardens. It'll be nice to spend some time together."

He squeezed my waist and kissed my cheek. "Agreed."

Our conversation dropped off as we neared the church. As with the Hill of Remembrance, the cemetery was behind the church itself, surrounded by an old wooden fence composed of two horizontal planks between vertical posts. Long grass, creeping vines, and overgrown bushes hid much of the fence, and the cemetery, from view. The silvery cap of the weeping willow at the center of the graveyard peeked over the darker foliage and shimmered in the moonlight. I brought Blade to a stop at the rickety wooden gate.

"Did you remember the bouquet?" I asked quietly, my voice sounding far too loud in the silent night air. Chevalier dismounted and held his hands up for me.

"Yes, I did," he said, pulling me down from Blade and into his embrace. "Saying goodbye doesn't mean you'll forget her," he added softly, holding me close.

"I know," I mumbled into his chest, my voice thickening with tears again.

Blade stamped his hoof impatiently. Chevalier sighed and released me to pick up the reins.

"You're a nuisance," he told the white stallion as he tied him to a fencepost. The horse bumped his shoulder insistently with his muzzle. I put a hand over my mouth to hide my giggle.

"He acts like a big puppy around you."

Chevalier smiled and patted Blade's nose before returning to my side. "Perhaps, but you need to remember he's dangerous."

"So are you," I pointed out, moving closer to him as he wrapped an arm around my waist. "But I still trust you."

"I'm more trustworthy than him where you are concerned."