The Enchanted Bird by Katherine Dotterer

Author:Katherine Dotterer [Dotterer, Katherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781955614030
Publisher: KatSpell Press

Chapter 30

Shortly after breakfast the following morning, Hawke had just finished his business correspondence when Hobb arrived bearing a letter with the royal seal. He grinned as he opened the seal and read his cousin's note.

Hawke—

Certainly you may ride in the royal forest. Has a certain dryad inspired your recent desire? If so, your mother shall harp on it until you wed the lady. Try not to poach too many of my rabbits.

Devon

He chuckled and pocketed the letter. He requested his iron-gray gelding from Hobb before bounding upstairs to change. Now that he'd royal permission, he must pry Wren away from her writing for a good ride. Although 'twould probably be more arduous than obtaining permission from Devon.

When he arrived at Wren's townhouse, she'd yet to emerge from her room. As her maid returned upstairs to inform Wren of his visit, he called, "Make sure she dresses for riding."

After what seemed an age, Wren descended scowling but attired in a brown riding habit that heightened her pallor. "Why are you here at such an unseemly hour? I'd barely begun breakfast when you arrived."

Hawke eyed Wren. Why did she look tired again? On the carriage ride home last night, she'd said she was retiring for the evening as soon as she returned. When would she recover from late nights writing the fete play? He forced himself to smile at her. "Devon gave me permission to ride in the royal forest. I thought we could test your new mare's paces." Plus, a ride might assuage the oddly mercurial behavior she'd shown at Kit's card party.

Wren sighed. "I suspected as much, so I sent someone to the mews to saddle her."

They strolled outside to their waiting horses, but Wren staggered as she attempted to place her boot in the stirrup. He stiffened. Although not horse mad, she'd never had trouble mounting a horse before. He stepped forward. "Allow me."

Hawke's breath quickened as he grasped her about the waist and began hoisting her atop the cherry bay mare.

Wren slapped his chest. "What are you doing?"

He jerked and lost his grip, and she tumbled into him and slid to her feet. They stilled with their bodies pressed together. As they stared into each other's eyes, her violet scent filled his lungs.

Hunger roared through Hawke. He'd not held Wren like this since their Longnight kiss eight years ago. Yet she felt familiar in his arms. Why? Agony pierced his head, and he released her and stepped back.

Wren glared up at him, a blush darkening her cheeks. "I can mount a horse myself." She jammed her boot in the stirrup and swung into the saddle.

His body tight, he rubbed his temple. Dear Goddess, what had just happened? He mounted as well. "I can see that now, but you were struggling earlier."

Wren urged her mare forward with a snort.

His body settled as he joined her. He eyed her while they rode through Ormas. Her temper was as mercurial as last night. He should wait until they were out of the city to talk.

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