Izzy's Arc

Chapter 3 of 7

The saddle straps looked secure. Most of them, anyway. Eric’s, however, had received a small adjustment—just enough to humble, not enough to harm. Or so Isabella told herself. The wind tore through her hair as laughter echoed across the palace grounds. Her mare surged beneath her, hooves pounding against the worn garden path as they raced beneath the fading afternoon sun. “You’re cheating!” Eric shouted behind her. “You’re just slow!” she called back. Mason rode ahead by a length, a grin stretched across his face. “First to the west fountain!” Isabella shouted. “That wasn’t the original finish line!” Mason yelled Eric urged his horse forward, drawing even with her. And then his saddle slipped. His eyes widened and a startled yelp escaped him before he tumbled from the saddle and landed face-first in the dirt. For one terrible second, Isabella froze. Then she burst into laughter. Mason wheeled his horse around, trying—and failing—to hide his amusement. “Goodness, Eric. Hurt yourself?” “Nothing permanent, I’m sure,” Isabella managed through her laughter. Eric pushed himself upright, spitting out blades of grass. “This was my best vest!” “You’ll survive,” she said, smiling down at him from her horse. “Someday,” Eric muttered, brushing dirt from his cheek, “I will have vengeance.” They helped him back onto his horse, and soon they were riding again—though slower this time. “Your horse nearly landed on you,” Mason teased. “Would’ve been a mercy,” Eric replied. “We are needing to be more careful,” Mason said. “Izzy’s schemes are improving. Next time she’ll rig your boots to catch fire.” “You would both be far less interesting if I didn’t keep you on your toes,” Isabella said. Eric feigned offense. “You hear that? We are merely characters in her theater of chaos.” Isabella rolled her eyes and guided her mare closer to Mason’s stallion. “Ride too close,” he murmured, a teasing edge in his voice. “and I might think you like me.” Warmth crept into her cheeks, and she immediately looked away. “You would think that if I breathed near you.” “Oh, I think plenty of things when you’re near.” “Like how to cheat at chess?” “Like how to let you win gracefully for the sake of your ego.” “My ego is perfectly intact.” Eric groaned behind them. “Do I have to listen to this every ride?” “Listen to what?” Isabella asked innocently. “This flirtation spiral.” She gasped. “This is arguing.” “Exactly,” Mason said. “Far too clever to be flirting.” “You two deserve each other,” Eric muttered. Mason glanced toward Isabella, a quiet smile touching his lips. “Maybe we do.” The words lingered longer than she wanted them to. She turned her gaze toward the hedgerows, pretending the fading sunlight had suddenly become fascinating. The palace rose ahead of them, its tall windows glowing with evening warmth. Jasmine sweetened the breeze as they approached. “You really did look like a court jester eating dirt,” Mason said. Eric sighed. “You are doing wonders for my confidence.” “He’s preparing you to meet the king,” Isabella teased. But Eric’s smile faded. His gaze shifted toward the eastern tower, where shadows climbed the stone walls. His fingers tightened slightly around the reins. “I’m sure Father will find our adventures hilarious.” He said it lightly. Too lightly.Isabella noticed the change immediately. “You okay?” “Of course,” Eric answered quickly. “Just preparing my explanation. Perhaps I was ambushed by squirrels.” Mason laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “Excellent. Very believable.” Eric smiled but Isabella saw what the others might have missed. It never quite reached his eyes. Everyone knew the king was not someone to disappoint. She glanced away from Eric and together they watched the sun sink lower, covering the palace towers in amber light. When they reached the stables, Eric rode ahead and looked back at them with a grin. “Just wait. When I’m king, I’ll catch all my conniving friends and deliver the justice they deserve.” Mason laughed. “You? King? Won’t that be a day to see.” Isabella laughed with them. Nothing could ruin this moment.