Under the vampire Lord's protection-Chapter 129: Close again

Little by little, her muscles relaxed, allowing her to enjoy the moment. Arabella clutched her fingers around the reins tighter whenever her eyes would fall on the ground, noting how much further it drew from her.

"Is the air to your liking up there?" by her foot, Silas stood still as Charlie slowly went around him in circles.

"Yes...," her voice shook a little, chest still clenched onto itself.

"Your legs might hurt a bit for the next few days, but the more you practice the less it should bother you," he took the reins and pulled the horse to a stop.

"Right," was all she said, watching as Silas neared the second horse, climbing upon its back with such effortlessness, it stunned her.

"Do you still remember the basics or should we go over them again?" he had to look down to her height level.

"I think I do remember them, yes," she smiled, eyes on her hand.

"Alright then, we’ll take a slow walk around the arena. Try to follow,"

After one glance at the wrangler, Silas gave two little taps against the horse with the back of his feet, ordering him to move.

As the man replaced Silas by Charlie’s head, Arabella did her best to copy the vampire’s action and communicate her desire to move with the animal.

It worked. Charlie trotted next to Chance, their hooves thudding the dry ground along the path.

The wrangler tracked her, making sure to reel Charlie in should he get spooked.

The food Arabella had swallowed that morning galloped around her stomach as well, causing her to stiffen and fight to keep it inside.

Things were going well enough; it’d have been embarrassing to throw her guts up then and there.

"You are doing well enough, and your posture is correct," Silas would cast glances her way from time to time.

His words had the merit of alleviating some of her pain, at the very least.

"This is as fast as we will go today. We’ll try something different tomorrow," he spoke again.

Round and round the arena they went. By the third turn, Silas had signaled the wrangler to step away and let her take full control over Charlie.

As gentle as the saddle was, the silent suffering of her delicate behind became harder to ignore, and the stretching between her legs turned dull and persistent.

It had been years since her body sat on the back of a horse. Close to fourteen years back.

Once Arabella had reached puberty, her father was less and less keen on allowing her out of the manor, keeping her under constant surveillance.

In her own words, that cage was golden, but it remained a cage. Even birds knew how priceless freedom was, but those that didn’t lived in blissful ignorance. A luxury that was far beyond her means.

Memories of that day returned in pieces; of the last day she’d been allowed to ride a horse.

It’d been on her mother’s birthday, one of the best Arabella had ever celebrated with her. The images brought the sweet scent of marjoram along as the fields had bathed in its essence on that blessed day.

"Is everything alright?"

Silas’ voice snapped her out of that beautiful reverie. One of her hands flew up to dry the tears before they’d gotten the chance to spill. free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Yes! Yes, of course!" she squeaked, putting her best efforts into a radiant smile.

Although the vampire did not seem particularly satisfied with her answer, he never pressed for words when her heart spoke loud enough on her behalf.

After a few more rounds, Silas announced that they were stopping, tugging gently at the reins to again communicate the order over to Chance.

Arabella quickly followed his lead and held in place until he came by her side.

"Come on down," with both hands around her waist, Silas lifted her figure off the saddle with great ease before setting her back on her feet.

He did not let go immediately and made sure she kept her balance, "How is the pain?"

"Not that bothersome," she plastered an awkward smile on while avoiding his gaze.

"Would you like to try Chance, now?" he asked.

Her eyes widened, glancing between the smaller frame of Charlie and the sizeable Chance, she tumbled over her own words a little. As wonderful as they both looked, the two of them were incomparable in a number of fields.

"But... I barely managed with Charlie," she muttered.

"You managed just fine. Besides, you won’t do it alone this time around,"

Arabella could’ve sworn that the ghost of a smirk had overcome his features, if only for a brief instant before vanishing.

He took her hand then guided her towards Chance.

"Turn around,"

It was an order, but it came in such a soft tone Arabella merely stared back at him for a moment.

Eventually however, she obeyed and gave him her back for his arms to wrap around her waist and pull her closer to him.

When their bodies connected, he spoke again, "Take a deep breath,"

Silas waited until she did, then in the blink of an eye, snatched her off the ground.

One moment Arabella was on her feet and then in the next, they both dangled to the same side, even higher than they did on Charlie.

Her back was against the vampire’s chest as the two of them sat together on Chance.

His arms finally let go but his warmth clung onto her, wrapping her whole, sitting so close, his warm breath fell right on her head and stroked her hair along.

Once anew, since their bodies were linked, the young woman sensed the drumming of his heart through her back.

Much like the night he’d fed upon her blood, his heart rate was not the rhythm she expected it to hammer at.

Though, biting her tongue, Arabella kept still, thankful he couldn’t see how red her face must have been in that moment.

Unless he leaned in closer which he didn’t and instead took the reins before signaling to the horse to move forward.

"What say you we leave this arena?" he whispered in her ear.