Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Kiesh'ra series; it all belongs to Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

A/N: I'm losing my mind. I'm reposting this because I once again almost forgot the disclaimer.

Chapter 1: Challenges

"Try not to fall on your face today, Silvermead!" Kel looked at the apple in her hands and gave serious thought to hitting the raven soldier with it. Would she never hear the end of that annoying incident? During her first riding lesson, she had been thrown from the saddle. It was humiliating to even remember. The raven rode his horse out of the paddock before she had a chance to retaliate. The horse danced aside as she stepped towards it. Kel swore softly.

"What did that horse ever do to you?" Andreios' eyes flashed with amusement as he came up behind her. "Threw me off."

"How long do you hold grudges? That was months ago!"

"Oh, shut up." Telling your commander to shut up was bad manners, but she didn't really care. "I'm not talking about that. Yesterday he threw me off, into a mud puddle, in front of half the palace guard. I had just told Ailbhe that riding wasn't that hard." He hid a smile. "I bet you haven't fallen off in years," she muttered softly. Andreios burst out laughing. Kel's look could have drawn blood. "Kel, I've only fallen off about a million times! The last time was two days ago. They take pleasure in throwing us off, I swear." Kel had to fight back a grin. "I don't believe you."

"It's true."

He looked off in the distance, smiling. "You got lucky. The first time I fell off was in front of Shardae."

"You're joking."

"Would I make up something that embarrassing? You can ask the Tuuli Thea, she'll tell you. She nearly fell in the mud herself; she was laughing so hard."

Kel grinned at the image. "Where is Shardae, anyway?"

"In the dancer's nest," Rei answered distractedly. She read the faintest hint of reluctance in his tone. Seeing an opening, she dove in. "She's learning to dance, isn't she?"

"Yes." Rei's tone warned her to drop it, but she ignored him. "What's wrong with dancing?" She didn't even bother to keep the mischief out of her tone. "It's not…" He broke off and glared at her. "I'm not getting into this with you." She couldn't have stopped even if she wanted to. "What would the serpiente think of a queen who disapproves of dancing? It's a major part of their culture." An impulse struck her. "Besides, dancing is fun. You should try it." Rei, turning dark red with embarrassment, had no immediate response. Kel kept pushing. "The serpiente dancers are the ones who keep all of the laws and histories. Think of all the stories you could learn."

"You can stop now."

"I dare you."

"Absolutely not."

"Chicken."

Ignoring the insult, he replied with a haughtiness designed to cover his embarrassment. "What people would accept from Danica they wouldn't from me. And guards aren't even allowed in the nest."

"If they'd teach a hawk they would probably teach a crow. Valene is a dancer in the nest; I bet she could convince one of them to teach you."

"Erica."

"You're willing to work with your former enemies but you won't learn to dance?"

"Will you drop the subject?"

"I'm having too much fun. Besides," she added, "I could never respect a man who was ashamed to dance." To her delight, he blushed an even darker color. Teasing him was so much fun. "Just try it," she coaxed. Rei sighed in resignation. "Fine. I'll try it."

"Can I watch?"

"No!"

She conceded the argument and changed the subject. She was pleased that he had decided to try. She was even pleased at his refusal to let her watch. After all, he wouldn't care so much if her opinion didn't matter to him. Humming softly to herself, she continued tacking up the horse. She didn't even get angry at the comments some of the serpiente guards taunted her with. She could always beat up a few of them in practice.