Habrunt's back might be weak, but he gripped the saddle for support and
showed that he intended to help her up. Si'Wren flashed a quick smile
at him, and dipped down and gave a little hop as she got the sole of
one tiny foot into one of his large hands like a makeshift stepping
stone, and as he curled his biceps and lifted her in this manner she
eeled herself up in one smooth, perfectly timed motion and swung her
leg over.
Remounted as lightly as a butterfly, she beamed down at Habrunt, and
then looked up and swept the narrow, jam-packed street a fleeting
glance. Then she flicked her reins and kicked her heels in lightly with
a hand-slap on her horse's neck.
The black charger responded instantly, and surged forward in a hurtling
motion of buried muscle as she cantered him down the narrow street past
the noisome throngs. His hooves clomp-clopped the ground in a heavy
rhythm as she caught up to her proper position in the royal procession
and slowed to rejoin them again.
She could not stop herself breathing heavily as her heart continued to
pound. The memory of his scent and the lingering sensation of his
kisses had sent her blood to singing.
* * *
It was a grand procession. Every so often, Emperor Euphrates would cast
a handful of gold coins to the crowds, and their cheering would be
transformed to lunatic crescendos as the throngs dived together in a
sudden concerted rush to get at the coveted coins.
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