scarlet heart | exo

Concern

The thundering of hooves and the rushing of her own adrenaline was the only thing that Xuefeng could feel in the first few seconds as Rain moved strongly underneath her and Zitao. Then she slowly started to register the fact that Zitao's left arm was wrapped around her waist, and the other had the reins knotted in his hand. His hard chest was almost glued onto her back, and she could practically feel his heart pumping with the excitement in this race. His hand tightened around her waist and she flushed.

Zitao was a skilled rider and Rain was a powerful stallion, and the distance between them and the other princes soon grew wider. Before long, only Xiumin and Huixin were able to keep up with them.

Xuefeng braided her hands into Rain's dappled main, as Zitao urged him even faster. But Xiumin's piebald stallion was fast gaining on them.

She glanced behind. Sehun and Luhan were fighting for the reins, leaving their poor horse tossing his head up in dismay. She laughed a little, then observed that all of the princes had a crucial flaw when riding. All they knew how to do was to beat the cross out of their horses as they slowed.

She studied the terrain. The mud was soft, but firm enough that a horse could run fast without the chances of slipping and breaking a leg. The finishing point was close enough that the horses could go on a final sprint without tiring too quickly.

"Pst. Zitao."

Zitao raised an eyebrow at her, as he held the reins even tighter when he felt Rain gnawing the bit between his teeth.

"How much will you hate me if Rain pulls a muscle from going too fast?"

He pondered the question for a fraction of a second, then his grip on the reins loosened and Xuefeng took hold of the reins. Shifting her weight forward, she recalled all her training as the champion equestrian at the stables. Popping the reins against one hand, she yanked upwards and squeezed at Rain's shoulders with her other hand, digging her feet into his sides.

Rain's head came up smartly, as he elongated his gait into the smooth gallop of a thoroughbred racehorse.

She leaned forward, then let the reins slack.

The stallion's ears came down, and off he went.

Xiumin, watching this, immediately urged the piebald to follow. Of course, the smaller horse had nothing on them, so they could only watch as Rain thundered off, crossing the finishing line.

Everyone applauded, and Xuefeng blushed as Zitao didn't let go of her waist immediately, but instead gave her a small squeeze in congratulations before dismounting and taking the reins from her.

Then she realized that on the brown leather reins, there were spots of red.

She winced a little, feeling the pain start to kick in. Zitao immediately glanced up and helped her down. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head quickly, hiding her palms behind her back. She quickly changed the subject, "What happened to Sehun and Luhan?"

Zitao glanced at her questioningly, but didn't try to push the subject.

"The horse ditched the two of them and ran the other way instead. They were so busy fighting that they didn't notice the horse was going the wrong way, so they're probably with the Emperor right now." Zitao craned his neck and narrowed his eyes. "Still fighting."

Xiumin and Huixin slid to a halt beside them.

"Oh my goodness, that was so good!" Huixin hugged Xuefeng, squeezing her so tight that she could barely breathe. "You have to teach me how to ride like that!"