The Royal Contract

Her resolve earlier was slowly diminishing after staring at the domineering creature. She did not expect it would be big up close. Since in the few times she saw them, she was always far away.

She quickly stepped back when the horse made a sudden movement, making its unfriendly noise, frightening her even more. But Marcus held the horse on the rein, patting him on the head, calming him down.

“He is a good boy. One of the best and most reliable horses they have here.” Marcus assured her, continuing to run his hand on its body. “But he could sense your fear. Come on, touch him.”

Marcus beckoned her to come closer to the animal and pulled her hand gently towards him. Slowly, he guided her hand across the horse’s side, making her feel his heartbeat.

“Wow, that feels nice,” Jacky said, sensing her own heartbeat slowing down. She started caressing the horse on its side, feeling calmer with each stroke.

“You have to become one with him,” Marcus whispered, using his voice to bond with the animal. “If he senses you are agitated, he will also feel that way.”

.....

He once again pulled her hand carefully towards the front of the animal, making her face the animal. “Now, caress his head carefully like this.”

He demonstrated, running his hand on the top of his head, going to the side of his cheek. Then down to the side of his neck. After, he gestured that she should follow what he did.

She hesitated at first, then remembered that the horse would feel what she felt. She breathed deeply and calmed herself down. Slowly, she lifted her hand and patted it on the head, following what Marcus did.

“Oh, you are such a good boy, Lightning.” Jacky could not believe that she had patted a horse. Now, all that was left was to ride it. Luckily she had changed to jeans and a shirt just like Dani had suggested.

“Come on. Are you ready to mount, Lightning?” Marcus asked, patting the horse to prepare him.

He held her by the waist and guided her back to the side. Then, he made a final check on the saddle, ensuring that the locks were secure.

“So, how do I get up there?” She was never a fan of western movies or things with horses, so what might seem obvious to others was not for her.

She looked at the items in front of her but could not figure it out. It seemed to be one big puzzle for her. She only understood that the long line on the back of the horse was what the riders used to hold the horse.

“Put your feet here, and I will push you up, then sit your ass there.” It was a simple explanation that Marcus believed she understood. Finally, after two tries, she managed to do it correctly.

“Hey, guys. What is keeping the two of you so long.” Dani shouted outside the barn as she rode her own horse.

She was not an expert like Marcus, but she knew how to ride.

She kept the horse in a short gallop, trying to get the feel of its strength. At the same time, trying to bond with her.

“They are probably trying to beat our record,” Alex said, trying to get back at their friends for the teasing they had received from them.

He was also riding his own horse. It was a new one since the one he used to ride had already passed away. It was a good horse, but it had been too old and sickly.

“You know this is my first time,” Jacky uttered playfully at her friends when they finally emerged out of the barn.

She admitted she did take a lot of time before getting convinced that the horse would not harm her. But now, she was actually enjoying the thrill of being on one.

“Oh, I am glad that I am your first,” Marcus whispered in her ears, not wanting the others to hear it.

He encircled her in his arms as they rode together on the horse. He knew that Jacky was not ready yet to be on her own, so she had her sitting in the front seat.

“Yeah, I am glad too,” Jacky whispered back, giving him a kiss before they went to ride the sunset. The remaining morning anyway.

“Hey, you two. Are we going to ride, or do you want us to leave you alone?” Alex yelled at the two as he and Dani began to gallop ahead.

He wanted to show Dani his favorite spot in the area. It was a considerable distance. But with a horse, there was a shortcut into the woods.

He could see at least two of his security following them a few meters away, giving them some space. Then, Marcus was hot on their trail but slower than his usual speed, considering he was with a companion.

“Are you good?” Alex asked Dani, just checking if everything was in order.

He had never seen his wife on a horse before since this was their first time going on horseback riding. But he was confident that she knew what he was doing from the first time she touched the horse.

“She is such a darling.” Dani patted her head, expressing her admiration for the horse.

She had ridden some and even had a horse on her own, but this one was far the best she had seen, at least, ridden. She seemed well trained, had a good breed, and was in her best shape.

“She is rare, just like you are,” Alex said, riding his horse closer to her as they slowed down, enjoying the scenery before them.

He had followed this trek a hundred times, maybe more, but never saw it the way he was looking at it now. The trees appeared lusher and greener in his eyes, the bird sounds were more melodic in the ears, and everything else looked perfect.

“Please, I am not something that will break easily, so stop putting me on a pedestal. But I love that you are always there to support me.” She stated as they passed through a clearing.

She extended her hand to him, and he took it as their horses trotted at the same slow pace. It was a new feeling of having someone enjoying the same things as her.

In her past relationships, she never had the chance to do these things with them, especially with Nick. She was glad that she was sharing this moment with the man she loved.

“I know that.” Alex understood what she was saying. “I am sorry if sometimes I can go over the top, but I will try to lessen it.” He pulled her hand, raising it to his lips.

“Just tone it down a little.” Dani requested, not wanting to discredit his effort to make her happy.

When he finally let go of her hand, he slightly turned to her. “Let us race.” He nodded his head in his direction, trying to dare her to take the challenge.

She just did say not to treat her like she was made of glass. “Wait, I don’t even know where we are going.” She complained as she followed him, increasing their speed.

“Just follow the trail, and you will know when you get there.” He shouted back as the wind blew on his face.

And the race was on.