"But, I don't want to-"

"Dahlia, my darling, it will be good for you to get out and get some fresh air," I silenced her with a chaste kiss and she stared at me in shock.

"I have never ridden a horse," she confessed. 

"You'll love it," I said. "Do not keep me waiting."

I stepped out of her room to give her time to change. I shifted anxiously as I waited. Sebastian was coming down the hall toward me. I closed the distance between us, fixing a cheerful smile on my face. 

"Go, saddle up Xerxes!" I ordered, ushering him back the way he had came. 

He looked at me puzzled, but his confusion was soon replaced with joy. "You want to go for a ride with me?"

I laughed and slapped his shoulder. Anyone who saw us now would think we were loving brothers. 

"Of course I do. You're my only brother-- I want to spend time with you. Plus, Dahlia is going to learn to ride a horse today," I ended with a boisterous laugh. 

Sebastian laughed along, stopping at the door to his room. 

"I should go change," he murmured before ducking into the room and leaving me alone in the hall. I went back to Dahlia's room and unlocked the door. She stood there in riding knickers, boots, and a loose blue button up. Her silver locks were pulled back. I could not help myself. I approached her and pulled her close to me. 

"Blue is very becoming on you," I murmured. 

Her cheeks turned bright pink and she squirmed in my embrace. "Thank you," she whispered. 

I took her hand and let her through the house until we were outside.

Sebastian

I walked into the bright afternoon and made my way to the barn at the end of our yard. Father was very vague about his work, but he was often gone. I missed the days when we would all ride together on our horses, or Mom would take us out to the meadow for picnics. I stared out reminiscently at the fields before me. It took about ten minutes to walk to the stables. By the time I got out there, Vee and the stable hand Damien were guiding Xerxes and Xander out by the reins. Damien looked at me anxiously and nodded toward the open doors of the barn. Vee seemed to notice this gesture. 

"Dahlia! Come meet my brother," he yelled, grinning eagerly. 

A shy girl stepped out of the barn, and he immediately went to her. His arm snaked around her waist as soon as she stepped within his reach. 

"Dahlia, this is Sebastian. Sebastian, Dahlia," he introduced us. 

"Hello," Dahlia said, staring at the ground as she offered her hand. 

I shook it and turned to my brother. His attention was on Damien, and he followed him into the barn angrily. The minute he was out of sight, Dahlia looked up at me with terror in her eyes. 

"Listen to me, I-"

"Dahlia!" Vee shouted. "Come help Damien. Chief won't come out for anyone but you!" 

"She got Chief to leave his stall?!" I balked.

He stood in the doorway to the barn, smiling cockily. He held his hand out for her, staring at her with a silent message behind his eyes. She quickly shuffled to him with her head down.

"Amazing, isn't it? He hasn't left since Mama passed away," he sighed, his smile becoming sad. 

They disappeared into the barn. What was she going to say? I silently wondered. They appeared a moment later, Dahlia leading Chief by the reins. Vee carefully helped her up, and she was trembling.

"She's never ridden a horse," he chuckled. 

I laughed, hopping onto  Xerxes deftly and snapping the reins. He took off like a bullet beneath me, his hooves thudding against the solid ground . I heard a loud whinny and looked over my shoulder to see Dahlia riding off in the opposite direction. I chuckled and continued riding.

Vlad

Dahlia was gone before I even mounted Xander. I swung my leg over the animal's back and sped after. Chief was strong, but Xander was faster. I steered Xander so that he came to a halt directly in front of Chief. The Clydesdale beast reared back on two legs, dropping Dahlia. He landed with a huff and a snort, shaking his large head before he bolted back toward the stables. I jumped from Xander's back to check on Dahlia. I yanked her up by her arm. My anger was explosive, I knew. But it was too late to reel it in.

"You tried to run. From me, your beloved," I snarled. 

"I'm sorry," she whispered as tears started to fall.

"And you lied. The way you move-- you've ridden a horse before, haven't you?"

She nodded, still sniveling like a child. I shoved her in the direction of my horse.

"On," I demanded. 

She climbed up without hesitation, scooting as far up as she could on the saddle. I sat behind her, keeping one hand on her hip and the other on the reins. It was only a few moments later that we met up with my brother.

"What happened?" he asked, slowing Xerxes as he stared at Dahlia's tear-streaked face with concern. 

"Chief just went wild and bucked her off," I quickly explained. "She'll be fine though."

He frowned. Could it be he doesn't believe me? His own brother? My mind raced as he continue to watch us. Finally, his lips curved up in a kind smile.

"Maybe you should bring her home then," he suggested. 

"Yes, maybe I should," I murmured.