Page 93 of A Single Thread of Moonlight

“Why not?” Nick replied. “She’s yours.”

Asteria made a noise, as if in agreement. Nick moved to help me mount, and I placed my foot in his hands, springing up into the saddle, feeling Asteria ripple beneath me like water. I leaned forward and pressed a hand to her neck.

Nick mounted up next on to Felix, and when we were side by side, he turned to me. “Well?” he said. “You two had better lead the way.”

It was all the encouragement I needed, and I kept Asteria under tight control as we trotted away from the house. I could feel her excitement, the fragile hold that she had on herself, and I knew that she could feel the same from me. As soon as we possibly could, I glanced over at Nick, a question in my eyes. Are you ready? He nodded, and I let my beautiful horse have her head.

Galloping across the park on Asteria’s back, I felt a joy that I hadn’t known for seven years. We moved as one being, surging across the ground, flying through the cool snap of autumn air. I was dimly aware of Nick riding behind me, but even Felix couldn’t catch us, not that morning. We were faster, we were something elemental.

When we finally pulled up, Nick drew up beside me. My face was wet with tears, but I beamed at him. I felt brand new.

We didn’t speak, only walked beside each other for a while, soaking in this world of birdsong and smudgy amber light, in which we were the only inhabitants.

Finally, we reached a dip in the scenery, a quiet bend in the river, where a magnificent oak tree stood, a blaze of firelight orange.

“Here,” I said, breaking the silence. “The horses can have a drink.”

Nick dismounted first, and he came to lift me down from Asteria’s back. His hands were at my waist, and I slid slowly down, until we were standing with barely a hair’s breadth between us.

I tipped my head back to look up at him. His hands still rested lightly on my hips. There was a beat. Another. His jaw ticked; the insistent drumming of my pulse filled my ears.

“Goodness,” I said. “What does a girl have to do to be ravished around here?”

The words were barely out of my mouth before his lips found mine. We kissed for a long time. Somewhere along the way I lost my hat. Nick lost his as well. The horses took themselves off to drink from the stream. I felt the oak tree pressed into my back. Nick’s jacket fell to the ground, quickly followed by his tie. My hair was loose around my shoulders, pins scattered. My hands were inside his shirt, greedy. He kissed me slowly, as if he had nothing but time. I was drunk on the taste of him.

Finally, we drew apart, and I raised a hand to my swollen lips. Nick’s hair was rumpled, a pink flush touched his high cheekbones, and his eyes seemed a darker blue. I wanted to kiss him again already. I never wanted to stop. From the way he was looking at my mouth, I would guess that the feeling was mutual.

“We need to talk,” I said firmly. Or at least, I tried to say it firmly. It came out slightly wobbly.

He flashed me his half-smile. “You’re right, we do.” He cleared his throat. “Let’s sit down. Preferably with several feet between us, or I can’t promise we’ll get much discussed.”

I laughed, and pulled him down beside me, our backs against the rough bark of the tree. He took my hand in his, his fingers twining through mine. I rested my head on his shoulder. It was nice. For a moment we sat, just like that.

“So,” Nick said finally. “I’ve been thinking.”

“A dangerous habit.”

“What I’ve been thinking about is revenge.”

“How romantic.” I fluttered my lashes.

“You see, you think you’re mocking me,” he said, tipping his head back, “but you’re actually bringing me to my point. I’m very happy, Iris.”

I smiled. “I’m very happy too.” And I was. In that moment, there with him, I was close to bliss.

“That works out neatly for us, then.” His fingers tightened around mine. “I suppose what I’m saying is that we don’t need revenge any more, do we?”

I dropped his hand, startled. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” Nick said awkwardly, turning to get a better look at my face. “That’s how these things go, isn’t it? When you find happiness, you let go of the idea of revenge. You realize it’s better to find forgiveness and you don’t need it any more.”

I blinked at him. “Is that how you feel?” I asked. “You don’t need revenge against Stefan? You want to forgive him?”

He shifted. “I don’t want anything to come between us.”

I snorted. “Nothing’s going to come between us. And what could be more romantic than bringing down a villain, together?”

He looked startled. “You mean you still want to stick to the plan? Pretending you’re engaged to Stefan? The public showdown? It will make you infamous, Iris.”