Riven turned slightly, startled. "You're riding behind me?"
Leon's arm brushed around him to take the reins, their torsos brushing lightly. "Unless you want to fall off and break your delicate little neck."
You just wanted an excuse to press against me... Riven wanted to say that, but considering how in denial Leon was, he decided against it.
"Fine, I will listen to the expert," Riven said neutrally. Leon was being annoying again, and he too, was frustrated. Why couldn't he just be nice... Like he was when they played chess.
They started slow. The mare moved in a lazy circle around the edge of the stable yard, hooves crunching lightly on straw and dust. Leon's voice was low, steady in Riven's ear.
"Sit straight. Relax your knees. Your legs control more than your hands."
Riven tensed instinctively when the mare picked up her pace. "I'm relaxed."
Leon scoffed. "You're stiff as a mannequin."
"Because there's a smug royal plastered to my back," Riven growled.
