A/N: Idioteque by Radiohead, maybe? :D
11. Joey's generosity
"I assure you, you can wish to teach me anything, but riding a horse just won't do!"
James just laughed before taking Emie's waist, lifting her as she she weighed less than a feather and putting her safely on Joey's saddle.
She gripped the reins, trying not to think about the ground, standing two meters down her feet.
James chuckled again. "And I assure you, Miss Tate, that you'll appreciate to ride once you forget about the height." And with those words, he climbed behind her.
She felt his arms rounding her waist to take the reins beside her hands.
His breath was just beside her ear. It tickled her skin.
"Easy now. Kick Joey's side very softly. He'll understand he has to walk."
She rolled her eyes and did as asked. She kicked Joey's sides to softly he didn't move. She had to do it again, a little more strongly this time.
She jumped as Joey started to walk towards the end of the paddock.
Emie tried not to blush when the other soldiers started to gaze towards James and her.
She tried to forget as well that Henry was currently standing on their barrack's porch, his grey eyes sad.
"You manage beautifully, you know. I can't come to why you were so afraid to rise a horse."
Emie rolled her eyes and drove Joey back to where James was standing, in the middle of a practise field. "And I can't manage to imagine how you can be so stubborn, sir."
He smirked. "That's the way I am. In private. Don't tell Jaime."
She laughed. It startled Joey, who jumped a little. Emie shuddered and then turned back to James. "Okay. I think I've had enough for today. You'll teach me how to jump some other."
He smiled and calmly walked to her, gripping her ankles to help her down.
She landed safely in his arms.
He kept her against him for a moment, gazing in her eyes.
She smiled and pecked him on the lips. "You should stop looking at me like that, James. I already have difficulties standing when you're near."
He chuckled. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?" She nodded. He smiled and leaned in, putting his lips on hers.
She couldn't care less about the huge amount of soldiers who could pass their way and witness their embrace. She was in James' arms, and that's the only thing that counted.
"So, how was it?"
Emie turned around to see Henry walking her way, his arms tanned by the summer's sun, his hands full of empty water bottles.
She sighed. "I hate it. Even more than cutting human parts."
He sneered. "It didn't seem like it."
She returned the sneer. "I can act pretty well, you know. Besides, if you wanted my company for the day, you only had to ask."
He turned to face her, deadly serious. "Emie. We both know that I wouldn't have stood a chance against Pretty-eyes."
She sighed again and walked to him, leaving a safety distance between their bodies, as she knew that if they were touching, she'd lose control as she had done last time. "You don't know that."
"Oh, but I do." He outstretched a hand and carefully placed it on Emie's cheek, his callous fingers scratching against her skin. "I hope you find the happiness you deserve. I had my chance and spoiled it. Don't mind me."
He tried to retreat his hand from her, but in an impulse, Emie gripped it and pulled him to her.
"Henry, please. It is as hard for me as it is for you. All I ask for is patience."
His eyes darkened a shade. "I don't really like to hope when I know I'll be the one to be rejected in the end."
And he shoved his hand out of her grip, walking back down the stairs to fetch water.
Emie found herself sobbing in her sleep, that night.
Hopefully, as she opened her eyes, waking up after a horrid nightmare involving a high bridge and horses, she was alone in the bedroom.
Henry hadn't come home yet.
Review please!
Oh, and I'm sorry if I end this story too soon for your taste, but I have agreed to write until the 15th chapter and not more. There's not much to write about anyway, so... ^^