I sat atop Chasing Wind, feeling his power beneath me. It was both familiar and exhilarating, like reuniting with an old friend. The stallion remained remarkably calm under my touch, though I could sense his readiness to run.
"This is madness," Felix sputtered, his earlier confidence crumbling. "That beast has thrown every rider who's attempted to mount him in the past year!"
Arthur stood his ground beside me, his expression unreadable to the crowd but clear to me—concern mixed with growing understanding. "You made the challenge, Dubois. My wife has accepted."
Felix's gaze darted between me and the horse, disbelief etched across his features. "Fine. But when she breaks her neck, remember it was her choice."
I leaned forward slightly, stroking Chasing Wind's glossy black mane. "Don't worry about me," I said coolly. "Worry about how you'll phrase that public apology."
