She hoped she wasn't complaining too much about the tack on the mare. It was probably all normal stuff, something the horses in the stable were all but used to. Alexander probably thought her silly for even asking about it. She hadn't even gotten on the horse yet and she was already committing herself to riding practice so she could ride without a bit in the horse's mouth. How naive could she be? He, of course, was as patient with her as always, telling her that he would work with her if she liked riding. She smiled in gratitude, her eyes lighting up, though it wasn't enough to hide the nerves coiling in her stomach. She sat patiently on the mare while he tacked up his own horse, letting herself adjust to the feel of a 1000 pound animal between her legs. It was a feeling both of power and helplessness.
When Alexander mounted, he cued his horse to go alongside hers and she forced out a breath to remain calm as her horse started to move. It took some getting used to, the movement of the horse. However, it wasn't unpleasant and she found herself relaxing more as they made their way toward a lake. Her eyes kept drifting over to the man beside her, taking in just how at home he seemed on the back of a horse. He assured her she was doing well and she smiled. "Thank you. I owe it to my teacher, I'm sure." Her lips quirked as her eyes twinkled. He then mentioned the lake around them and asked what she thought. Her lips parted as she took it all in. "It's...breathtaking." She all but gasped. The water was crystal clear and reflected the light of the setting sun back at them. The mare felt calm and soothing beneath her and Alexander's presence beside her only made the moment that much more magical. She sighed. "A girl could get used to this."
alexis wilde