Dancing with a Monster

Chapter 8

The princess quickly took her makeshift reins and gripped a strand of her mare's horsehair as Loki swiftly jumped on Eglamen's back, that mischevious smile still plastered on his face. Daenerys didn't know what to do. Was she supposed to be scared, of the mare and of Loki, or should she just let go for once, and enjoy the afternoon with her mare? 

But she didn't exactly had time to think it through when she saw Loki's long legs pressing against his horse's flank, making the animal galloping almost instantly. Of course, the white mare followed, making  Daenerys tightening her grip wherever she could. Her calves almost dug in Silevil's sides as her fingers were wrapped in her horsehair and the reins. She tried to follow her fiancé, even from behind, he seemed very comfortable with this, and easily led his horse through the valley. 

He slowed his horse down, now galloping next to Daenerys, a now playful smile on his lips. 

-Have you ever moved a herd of horses? he asked loudly to cover the wind. 

-What?! The princess asked in shock. 

What was he talking about? She wasn't very comfortable on her horse but if his plan was to direct a whole herd of horses to another pasture, she was sure not to make it to the end of this day. 

-Hold on tight, don't fight her movements and, don't fall! 

And before she could answer, he sped up again, turning around the now excited horses, making them follow him. Daenerys and him had now about twenty horses running around them, all neighing and kicking the ones that were too close. The silver haired princess, tightened her grip again - if it was even possible - when another mare tried to bite Silevil's neck, wich she responded by a kick in the shoulder. 

But her panick rose at it's peak when she saw Loki, heading straight to a fence. He was going to turn around, right? He was trying to mess with her, see how far she could take it. But when she heared him shout, she knew he wanted her death. 

-Hold on, princess! 

She couldn't watch. She just couldn't. She heard the other horses fly but she didn't see anything. She felt herself being lifted off of her mare's back but harshly fell back when a thud of hooves echoed in her ears, before the rythmed gallop of Silevil got back. Daenerys painfully opened her eyes, realizing she was still on her horse and started to relax her fingers and her legs, letting herself follow the swift movments of Silevil. 

Almost instantly, the ride got easier and more comfortable, she could finally enjoy the pure adrenaline flowing through her veins. But she wasn't going to let Loki get away with this. So she pressed firmly her calves against her mare's flanks, speeding her up and quickly caught up with the dark rider. She straightened her back a bit, trying to look as comfortable as possible, showing Loki she wasn't scared anymore. 

But when she was expecting an annoyed look on his face, a whole other expression flashed through his features. His eyes were squinted as a half smile pulled at the corner of his mouth, and somehow, she found the pride he was feeling beind his hypnotizing irises. 

He slowed his horse until he stopped and Daenerys instinctively did the same, watching as Loki jumped off of Eglamen's back and took the halter off his head. He then extended his hand to Daenerys, wich she gladly took before getting down. 

-There is a bench under the willow over there, if you want to rest. he politely offered. 

Daenerys nodded before taking the halter off of Silevil's head and walked toward the stoned bench sheltered from the sun by a thick and graceful willow. She sat down and quickly felt the tension rising between her and her fiancé. She had to say something, right now. She needed to. 

-I'm sorry about what I said the other day in the garden. she urged. 

Loki softly sat down next to her, taking a deep breath before looking down at his feet. 

-Daenerys, you don't have to. 

Her name felt so different coming out of his lips. It was soft but he wasn't talking to her like she was a child either. 

-No, I do. I won't lie, I'm scared to get married and I heard stories about you. But it doesn't justify the way I spoke to you. So I'm asking you, will you accept my apologies? 

It took her a superhuman force to look up to meet his gaze, and she didn't expect to see what she saw. Loki was already looking down at her, his piercing eyes boring in hers and strange smile on  his lips. Daenerys took an instant to analyze it, mixed with pride and mischief, his grin quickly became uncomfortable and she had to look away. The silver princess locked her eyes on their horses, Silevil and Eglamen walking side by side toward the herd of horses. She couldn't help but notice how her mare was smaller than her fiancé's stallion and was suddenly very curious if her size affected her capacities.

But when Loki stood beside her, she quickly jumped out of her thoughts. 

-Will you accept my apologies? She asked again, not looking at him this time. 

His hand appeared in front of her and when she shyly took it, she heard his soft voice, her heart   skipping a beat.

-I do but a part of me, the darker part of me thought I should I ask you something in return.

She looked up to meet his eyes and his features seemed to have soften, but his gaze remained playful.

-And what would it be? she asked feeling her breath caught in her throat. 

Daenerys felt the coldness of his body getting closer to her and she had to hold back a shiver when he brushed his fingertips against her cheek. And even if his lack of warmth was unusual, she couldn't help the thrill that ran through her veins. 

-Would it be too bold to ask for a kiss? 

His voice was almost a whisper but it was still confident. Without really knowing why, the princess hoisted herselft on her tiptoes, her hand instinctively finding her fiancé's shoulders. Was she really doing this? She asked herself at least a hundred times in her head in just a second and before she could release the breath she was holding, her lips met his.