Black Keys (The Colorblind Trilogy #1) - Rose B. Mashal Page 0,72

mostly the right way to do things,” he whispered. “But then you would never find out how much fun it could be, proving to your mind how wrong it is, and that your heart is a better judge sometimes.”

I gulped.

The prince’s right hand squeezed the back of mine as he tangled our fingers together then pushed me gently towards Thunder, following right behind me. Our joined hands rose up with the prince’s guidance and slowly my fingers were touching Thunder’s thick coat. I gasped once my fingertips made contact with his body, turning to look at the prince once again. He was smiling softly then he nodded encouragingly.

“He’s so soft,” I said to myself when I looked back at my fingers that were touching Thunder. He truly was, and I just adored the sight of our fingers laced together as they moved all over Thunder’s back and his black coat. The prince’s hand guided mine for a minute, teaching me silently about the kind of pressure I should use over his body. When I raised my left hand to do the same as my right one, the prince’s hand left mine and settled on my hip. Then both of his hands were on my hips, keeping us close enough that our bodies were almost touching. Like, really, really almost.

The feel of Thunder’s body shuddering the slightest bit under my fingers was something I couldn’t put in words. It was really magnificent, to touch this strong, powerful creature and find it so soft that way…I was speechless.

The prince started telling me about Thunder’s pedigree: his father was a purebred Arabian horse and his mother was English–making him a breed called Thoroughbred, one of the most expensive horses in the whole world. It has the genes of both breeds, making it the strongest, fastest and the most beautiful. I was really enjoying the informative facts he was telling me, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out that horses were the prince’s passion. I kind of...liked it.

“He won three international races in a row in Derby, in Great Britain,” the prince said, and I turned my head to look at him in amazement. “I was riding him,” he winked.

Gah! Not again with the winking! Not while you’re so close…

“Impressive,” I said, and when the smug look was back on his stupidly-beautiful face I turned my head to look at the horse again. “Good boy, Thunder.”

“Uh, I was riding him, you know?” He said again.

“So?” I asked innocently, not looking at him.

“Um, nothing,” he sighed, and I smiled to myself, happy that I was able to stop him in his attempt to make me stroke his ego.

Men!

When I touched the hair on Thunder’s head, he leaned down and rubbed the top of his head on my chest, earning a squeal from my mouth and a continuous stroking from my hand to his head.

“I think he likes me,” I said, flashing the prince a wide grin.

“How could he not, Beautiful Princess?” He smiled, his hands tightening on my hips and his eyes telling me things I didn’t want to hear, because it was more than scary to believe them. I looked away, busying myself with Thunder once again.

“Isn’t it fun?” the prince asked a minute later.

“What?”

“To prove your mind wrong and your heart right?”

I refused to reply, and he didn’t ask again. He sighed, then offered, “Would you like a ride?”

“Can I?” Disbelief at the possibility and the excitement I felt for the idea filled my voice.

“Of course,” he smiled softly.

“Oh, my God!” I said excitedly. “Yes, please!”

His smile grew and he nodded. “Give me a minute to prepare him.”

I squealed and clapped my hands in delight.

The prince took a few minutes to put the saddle on Thunder’s back. He then untied him, securing the reins around the leather saddle and the stirrups.

“Come on, Princess. He’s all yours,” the prince smiled, offering me his hand.

I squealed again and took his hand, my other hand fisting the long robe I was wearing in my hand, then put my foot in the stirrup. I stumbled on my clothes and if it weren’t for the prince’s strong hands catching me, I would’ve fallen. I tried three more times, the last time sending the feeling of lost hope to my heart. I wasn’t going to be able to ride after all.

“Forget it,” I said in disappointment. “It’s not going to happen, not in these clothes.”

The prince pressed his lips in a tight line and stayed quiet for