Valtira.
Zarek sat on his horse across from me. His hair seemed to shine bright under the moonlight, and his eyes were fixed on me. I refused to look away. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
The horses shifted under us, nostrils flaring.
I could feel their muscles tighten, the restless anticipation of the race still vibrating through them. My mare pawed at the earth, her breath steaming in the cool night air. I leaned forward slightly, brushing her mane.
“Ready?” Zarek asked. His gaze caught mine—unflinching.
I nodded once.
And then we were gone.
The wind tore through my hair as the world blurred around me. The thundering of hooves echoed through the field, loud enough to drown the sound of my heartbeat. My hands burned from the reins, my thighs ached from the saddle, but I didn’
