be accustomed to riding, I also know that our time together is already approaching its end.
Flicking my tail, I stride forward, my mate seated uneasily on my back. She isn’t so stiff this time, which is a relief, and is attempting to bob and move with me even though the rhythm is off. More than anything, I can feel her discomfort brushing at my mind, though she doesn’t say anything more about it once she has said all she needed to get out about the issue.
She is stubborn, my ahandral, so I’m not surprised when she does not demand to stop. We don’t so much as trot, just maintaining that easy walk that makes her pull my mane out, but we still manage to cover a short distance like that. The entire time she says little other than quietly cursing under her breath, but she doesn’t relent.
I have little doubt that the goblin hears her since he walks at my side without so much as breaking a sweat, but he keeps a cheerful smile on his face and occasionally tosses an encouraging word or two to my mate. She usually scowls at him when he does so, probably because he’s being too cheerful right now, and given the small burst of violence I sense from her, I’m pretty sure she’s considering pummeling him from her higher perch. In the end, however, she refrains from retaliating against the male—though I wouldn’t blame her, nor would anyone else, I wager—and we maintain our slow, easy pace for Steph’s benefit.
It is plain to see that she is doing quite well. Despite her fear, she is picking up the skills she needs. It is truly commendable. More than that, the strength she exhibits in the face of her discomfort is impressive. Though I want nothing more than to relieve her of it, I keep finding more to admire about my mate. Although I do not offer again, I am constantly aware of her through our bond, keeping tabs on her distress and enjoying the gentle touch of mind, spirit, and body while it lasts.
I am certain that the goblin, despite his sharp words to her, is of a similar mind about our progress because he doesn’t say anything else until he calls the exercise to a halt an hour later and helps her slide down from my back. She lands somewhat gracelessly, but the wince on her face is telling as to the reason.
Obviously in pain, Steph mutters under her breath as she rubs and thumps her thighs, attempting to massage the life into them as she takes small steps away from me to stretch out the muscles. Yet, at the same time, the smile she gives me once she loosens up a bit is one that is full of pride around the bite of pain.
“Thank goodness that’s over for now… but I did it,” she says, drawing in a deep breath and standing taller.
The pleasure on her face is infectious, and I want nothing more than to witness more of it!
That you did, I agree.
I watch her with appreciation as she steps away and strides through the low brush. Her gait is off, and she appears to be limping slightly, but her head is up and proud. I am still admiring her as I settle into an easy walking pace behind her, but now that she is on the ground, I find that my tension has returned. My ears flick toward any sound, my nostrils expanding to draw in any unfamiliar scent.
Despite the hammering instincts that continue to demand that I carry her off to my grotto at once, I resolve to enjoy the day as I watch the sun bounce off individual strands of her dark hair and the flit of butterflies as they take wing in the air around her, disturbed from the brush through which we tread. Part of me wishes that she would glance back at me for a moment, but the rest of me dreads it, worried that she would catch some small glimpse of my concern, even buried as it is within my fetch form.
It is obvious that my discomfort is not as unnoticeable as I would like to think, because Grimsal directs an understanding look my way, but he thankfully keeps my mate’s mind occupied with one of his many stories. I can’t help but be grateful.
Chapter 19
Steph
I’m in pain. My legs, my torso, my ass, my feet—it all hurts. I want to roll over and