bushes to check me out before going back to their jobs.
Birds chirped in the distance, leaves rustled in the breeze. Beneath my feet, dirt and twigs crunched softly. Every now and then I heard one of the dogs, but mostly it was quiet.
I had every intention of turning back around, then I came to the fence around the edge of the property. [S6]Strange, I thought but couldn’t bear to turn around. There’s a gate but no fence.
The thought made me laugh to myself.
The sun had risen higher, pinkening the sky. Clouds had begun to form, their gray color telling me how the weather was going to be for the day.
I didn’t mind rain, I only hoped I didn’t get caught in it.
In between the trees, I could make out open space, indicating the end of the woods. I hurried, intrigued by the idea of finding the edge of the property. Would the fence be climbable?
Knowing Konstantin, probably not. There was probably a flock of fierce cats that stopped you from climbing over it–and electric wire.
The path between the trees opened up and…
Rolling green paddocks greeted me. White fences outlined the area, all leading back to a luxurious looking stable. Next to the stable was an indoor factory-type building, with an arena stationed next to it. Must be the indoor arena, I thought, impressed.
In the paddock closest to me, a gray horse with white patches over its rump grazed. When I stepped closer to the fence, the horse lifted its head and instantly came to check me out.
I didn’t go to touch it. Only an idiot would touch an animal they weren’t familiar with.
The horse tossed their head over the fence, reaching out with their nose, most likely looking for something to eat.
“I don’t have anything to give you,” I said, holding up my hands. “See? Nothing.”
The horse didn’t step back, pressing their head into my stomach.
They didn’t seem vicious...
Slowly, I scratched the horse’s forehead, running my fingers over the fringe and mane.
“You’re not so bad,” I said.
The horse pricked their ears like they agreed with me.
“I wonder what your name is,” I mused.
“Kuksha of Odessa.”
Both the horse and I startled.
Konstantin laughed. “But we just call her Odessa.”
He had come up from the paddock, standing a few feet away from the horse and me. Konstantin wore a green polo tucked into his cream jodhpurs with a pair of shining brown boots. He held a crop in loosely in one hand.
“Trying to escape, Elena?” he inquired.
“No. I went for a walk.”
His eyebrows rose. “A long walk. Did you enjoy it?”
“I did until you showed up,” I retorted.
Konstantin’s smile grew. “How about you come and meet the other horses?”
I couldn’t resist and pulled myself over the fence. Konstantin offered his hand, but I pushed it away, jumping down onto the grass. The morning dew hitting my ankles made me realize I was still in my pajamas.
Compared to Konstantin in his preppy horse-riding outfit, I looked terrible.
“All good?” Konstantin asked as I rose to my feet.
“Fine.”
His eyes roamed over my bare legs and arms. The attention caused goosebumps to rise all over my skin. “Aren’t you cold?”
“Not when I keep moving.”
Odessa followed us as we headed down the paddock. She kept pushing her nose into my back and neck.
“She wants attention,” Konstantin told me the third time she did it. “Don’t you, Odessa?” He patted her neck.
“I didn’t know you had horses,” I said, giving Odessa a scratch on the nose.
“You never asked.”
I cut him a look. “Do you race them? Or are they for making glue?”
Konstantin smiled, amusement making his eyes sparkle. “Racing. Though Odessa’s racing days are over, aren’t they, girl?”
Odessa tossed her head like she was agreeing.
We reached the end of the paddock, and Konstantin held the gate open for me. When Odessa tried to follow me, he gently pushed her back, promising hay and pellets if she did as she was told.
A loud banging noise brought my attention away from Odessa and to the stables. Inside, someone swore loudly in Russian, before there was another bang.
“Hilarion,” Konstantin growled, striding in the direction of the noise.
I followed, jogging to keep up.
The stables were incredibly flash, with mason rock patterns building the walls and dark wooden panels separating the horses. In the middle of the stable, a huge apricot-colored horse had broken free of his lead and was prancing around the place, head up and ears pinned back.
“Hilarion,” Konstantin called.
Instantly, the horse stopped and turned his attention to his owner. Quick as