Dragonfly by Julia Golding Read Free Book Online Page B

failed. Let the Third Princess take her place if she wished.
    Tashi was going home.
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    Ramil waited in the stables with Leap and a white mare he had selected for the Princess. Whisper was a gentle animal, suitable for a novice. Ramil's spirits lifted now that he was back among the horses: at the very least he'd get beyond the walls, even if it was with his ball-and-chain of a princess dragging behind him.
    He heard feet on the cobbles and turned to see the Princess approaching with two attendants, her painted face ghostly in the dark of the stables. She was wearing a ridiculous gown covered with dragonflies. Was that a reminder of his mistake?
    "Your Highness," Ramil said with a bow.
    "Prince Ramil," she replied, giving him the merest bend in reply, a serious slight if he had known. Her attendants glared at him.
    "I have taken the liberty of selecting a suitable mount for you. Her name's Whisper. A good horse. Very dependable. She'll treat you gently." He glanced at her attire again. Was she really expecting to ride in that? "Do you wish to ride astride or side-saddle?"
    The Princess looked puzzled. "I do not know."
    She really did know nothing about riding, thought Ramil incredulously.
    "I suggest you try side-saddle until you can order more suitable clothes."
    He whistled to a stable boy and ordered the appropriate tack. Tashi meanwhile was making friends with Whisper, stroking her nose timidly.
    Tashi felt she was
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    falling in love with her already. She held out high hopes for this ride, even with the unpleasant company, having promised herself this one treat before announcing her decision to the Gerfalians that she was returning home.
    "Princess, are you ready?" asked Ramil, holding out a hand to help her step on the mounting block. "One leg goes there, the other there. Yes, that's right."
    Tashi shook out her skirts, feeling nervous now that she was perched up on Whisper's back. What if she fell? She had an image of herself sprawled in the mud in front of a laughing Ramil.
    "I'll take the leading rein," explained the Prince. "All you have to do is stay in the saddle."
    Ramil leapt onto his own mount and urged the stallion forward in a stately walk. The two horses made their way through the crowd of spectators that had gathered in the courtyard. Tashi kept her eyes lowered, trying to ignore the good-humored cheers and whistles of the stable boys. Ramil glanced sideways at his guest. It was impossible to know what she was thinking: her white face was blank of expression. She was like one of Briony's porcelain dolls. Fragile. Cold. He wondered what he would have to do to get a smile from her.
    Ramil kicked Leap to go a bit faster and they began to trot down the paved street leading to the gate. Now he got a reaction. She had bitten her bottom lip, face furrowed in concentration.
    "The Royal Forest is very beautiful, even at this time
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    of year, Your Highness," Ramil said, trying to make conversation.
    Tashi did not reply. She was trying to work out how to stay on and was not listening.
    "Perhaps Your Highness would like to go a little faster?" Ramil asked slyly.
    Still nothing. They'd reached the sweep of parkland that led to the eaves of the forest. Ramil had been shut inside for months. The temptation was too great.
    "As you wish, Your Highness." He urged Leap into a gal op. The Princess gasped and clutched the pommel of her saddle as Whisper followed. She looked terrified, or was it just that ridiculous face paint?
    "Don't you love the speed?" Ramil called over his shoulder.
    They crossed the meadow and passed under the trees.
    "Stop! I order you to stop!" called the Princess. Her knuckles were white as she gripped the saddle; she was sliding all over the horse's back with no conception of how to stay on.
    Ramil threw back his head and laughed. He couldn't imagine anyone not enjoying a fast gallop across country. "If we are to be married, you must learn not to order me around. I don't like it. Let yourself go for