A Sleight of Hand: (Book 3.2) (Body of Knowledge) by Eliza Lloyd

Author:Eliza Lloyd [Lloyd, Eliza]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-06-19T18:00:00+00:00

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Gellie ran her bare hand over Lady Winslett’s neck, earning soft snuffles of contentment from the horse. The graceful girl even swung her head around and playfully butted Gellie’s shoulder.

“She likes ye.”

“I wonder what happened to her. In the past, I mean.” All horses had such mournful gazes. But this dear one had something else. Gellie had experienced the horse’s fright the moment she’d used the gift. It wasn’t anger or typical horse orneriness.

“I don’t know. Lady Winslett has always been that way, from the time I bought her. But she was too elegant and I had to have her. Do ye think ye helped her?”

“Strangely, yes. She seems a different horse.” She glanced at Eadan. A swell of pride filled her, not an emotion in which she indulged. Her gift usually filled her with dread.

“Would ye like to ride?”

“You want me to ride Lady Winslett? You can’t be sure she’s ready to be ridden. Besides, I haven’t been astride a horse in ages.”

“Yes, ye have.”

She titled her head. “When?”

“In my dreams. Ye were an excellent rider.”

“I don’t think that counts,” she said, while stroking the horse’s soft muzzle.

“Choose another horse then.”

Lady Winslett neighed and turned toward Gellie again, this time nuzzling her cheek. Gellie knew she should be afraid, based on what Eadan had said about the horse’s temperament, but she knew whatever distressed the horse had dissipated. Maybe not gone altogether—perhaps that would take more time—but healing, certainly.

She didn’t think she would ever get used to the idea that her gift could be controlled. Or really useful. Breaking rocks and helping a cut flower to live a little longer didn’t seem that beneficial to her.

She grabbed Lady Winslett’s halter and rubbed her nose. “You wouldn’t hurt me, would you?”

The horse blew air from her nostrils and shook her head, jangling her equipage.

Eadan’s hand covered hers as he took control of Lady Winslett. “I think that settles the matter. We will ride.”

His breath was warm against her neck and it seemed natural to face him.

“Nothing is settled,” she whispered. She stared up at him, acknowledging to herself that he had some strange hold over her. Arcanum didn’t explain the strong tug of attraction. Yet this attraction did have the feel of magic.

She wanted him, in a way she’d never experienced with other men of her acquaintance.

Having a stranger announce deep feelings for her should have caused a visceral negativity within her, if not in her heart, at least in her brain.

But both thinking and breathing was difficult when he was so close. Gellie couldn’t blame it on the weakness her gift inflicted because she’d felt it the first moment she’d seen him at the posting inn. Then, she’d attributed it to compassion for a fellow man in need.

He’d mesmerized her with his gaze. He’d placed a spell on her with his words and touch.

“Then let us settle it to yer satisfaction.”

“By riding?”

“Ye need to embrace yer gift, Gellie. Ye won’t be satisfied until ye do.” He brushed a finger over the back of her hand as he stepped away.

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