#him filed under debatable riders is cracking me up

[jdramastuff]

Kamen Rider Gotchard - Episode 2.

[missbrightsky]

Chasing Tails

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Chapter 3: Rhysand

The entire carriage ride home, I endured sidelong glances from the others. I was debating if I was too tired to ask them what they were looking at me for when Cassian broke the silence.

“Miss Archeron was a most pleasant host, wasn’t she, Rhys?”

I evaluated my brother carefully before responding. “Yes, she was very well-spoken and a graceful dancer,” seemed like an innocent enough answer.

“Makes you think she might be graceful in other areas,” Cas spouted with a downright dirty grin. I was ready to smack him when Mor beat me to the punch. In which she actually punched him which was harsher than what I would have given him.

“Ow!” Cas tried to slide farther away from Mor, which was nearly impossible in the small space. “What was that for?”

“You know exactly what that was for, Cas. Miss Archeron was the picture of a lady and you just had to say something disrespectful.”

Cas had no response, just pouted and rubbed his shoulder where Mor’s hit landed. I let out a sign through my nose, reminding myself that Cas was like this with all women.

“What are your thoughts on her contest?” Azriel posed to the group.

“I think it’s crazy brilliant,” Mor said, “it will keep all the men on their toes for once. They have gotten too compliant in this town.”

“I can’t wait to see how everyone is going to attempt to win, I plan on spending my free time in town to watch them run around,” Cas said.

“You’re not going to participate?” I carefully asked.

“Perhaps if I see the cat I may take my chances, but I think the most fun will be observing,” Cas responded. “And with all the eligible men participating, there will be more than a few women left wanting of a partner,” he said with a roguish grin.

“And you, Rhys?” Mor directed towards me, she was always so good on picking up my moods and feelings, it almost got annoying.

“I’m currently too busy with the business to worry about this. Miss Archeron seems lovely, but I don’t have the time to spare at the moment.”

“You have enough time to watch me win the horserace,” Cas pointed out. Mor looked ready to aim a kick at him, but I spoke before she could act.

“That is a good point, I already have my hands full looking after you children,” I tried to level a serious look at the pair of troublemakers, a smile threatened to crack my expression.

Mor and Cas let out harmonious squawks of protest, ready to bicker about who is the biggest troublemaker, and then further my point.

“As much as I like Miss Archeron, I think she and I are better off friends,” Azriel cut off the tempest before it could start. “She had some interesting ideas about books that we’ve both read, I look forward to discussing them with her soon.”

The other muttered their agreements, effectively allowing the group to lapse back into silence for the rest of the way home.

Their massive estate on the outskirts of town finally appeared and the exhausted group exited the carriage. I thanked my driver and told him to get some sleep. I wouldn’t require him for at least several hours, if at all.

The others filed into the house and peeled off into their respective rooms.

“Let the other staff know to get some rest, I expect we won’t be up until lunch.”

“Yes, sir,” my footman bowed his head and went off to tell the household to sleep in.

My mind was too weary to sort through the pile of documents on my desk, they would have to wait until I was sober and rested. A fire still simmered in the hearth in my room, adding to my drowsiness.

It was all I could do to strip down to my undershirt and fall into bed, blue eyes and wide smiles chasing me throughout my dreams.

The rest of the day passed without incident. I made my way through the pile of documents that were deemed the most demanding. Invoices, shipping logs, inventory counts and orders, all to keep my business profitable and running.

I inherited Night Imports from my father, who inherited it from his father and so on. We owned a few storefronts in big cities across the county, and one here in Velaris. I could have chosen to live in the townhouse in Fesa, a port city where one of our warehouses resided, but it was too crowded and dirty. Velaris was where I belonged. Any correspondents could be mailed to me, and I took trips where I was needed.

My father had managed the company well but failed to keep up with the changing times. It had fallen to me to refresh the entire system and have curators constantly looking for new products that we could disperse and sell.

Dinner was another quiet affair like lunch. Mor informed me that Feyre would be arriving just after lunch for the race and then staying for dinner afterward.

I nodded at the information, stating that I was happy for a chance to see her again and continue our conversations.

As Adams prepared me for bed, I quietly requested for him to lay out my best coat for tomorrow. It was hopeless to try and convince myself it was for any other reason but Miss. Feyre. Archeron.

The front bell chimed through the house, effectively causing my heart to pound. That morning, I had already risen with a hoard of butterflies making a new home in my stomach. Breakfast had been near torture, Cassian and Mor constantly egging each other on about the impending race. The only reprieve I, or really only Azriel, got from their miniature war was when they both turned on me and made comments about Feyre and how delightful it will be to see her again so soon after her introduction to Velaris society.

Perhaps even her cat will follow to the Night estate and make an appearance!

How.

Wonderful.

I locked myself in my office to attempt to get a few hours of work done without the pair’s distractions, but their comments chased me into my private study and waltzed their way around my head.

Not unlike how Feyre and I waltzed that first night.

Stop it. I scolded myself, trying to focus on the numbers on the page before me. But the bell announcing her arrival scattered all hope of completing any more work.

What sounded like Mor’s footsteps rushed down the stairs, followed by her excited chatter as she greeted Feyre and welcomed her into our home.

Cassian’s voice entered the fray, allowing me once last breath to steady my unreasonable nerves.

He passed me on my way to the front of the house. He was headed to the gardens to prepare, only giving me a nod of hello as he mentally talked to himself. A common occurrence when there was a competition between him and Mor.

My steps were blessedly even on the hallway rug as I navigated into the main hallway. Too soon, I arrived in the entryway, bright afternoon light streaming in to highlight the gold in her hair.

“Miss Archeron, welcome to our home,” I said, bowing my head in greeting.

Feyre answered with a curtsy, “Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Night. You have a lovely house, I’m sure your grounds are just as wonderful.” She was wearing a white linen dress edged with blue lace today, perfect for the late summer heat.  Its high waistline accented her body perfectly, showing off her gentle curves that I had felt during the ball.

“Cas is in the gardens in the back, no doubt stroking his ego about how he is sure to win the race today. Let’s go tease him,” Mor giggled, looping her arm through Feyre’s. I took my place on Feyre’s other side.

“Where is Mr. Shade?” Feyre asked.

“I believe he is personally tacking the horses and inspecting them. I wouldn’t put it past these two for trying to sabotage the other,” I answered.

Mor let out a gasp, “I would never!” “Oh, yes you would cousin. Remember the Christmas Baking Competition? You managed to swap out Cas’s sugar with salt while he shoved your cookies too far back in the oven for you to retrieve. The true victims were Azriel and I who had to taste test everything. It was lucky that we didn’t have to call the doctor.”

“Alright, maybe I would sabotage a little, but nothing as bad as Cassian,” she conceded.

I shot her a disbelieving look while Feyre broke out in giggles over the story. I allowed my eyes to flicker over to her face and enjoy the look of amusement there. Feyre caught my stare and returned it with a smile.

I stepped forward and opened the doors that lead to the garden. While it was a massive estate, the garden was only a slightly bigger area than the house. Pathways wove in and out of hedges and flower beds, eventually leading to the massive pond that sat at the foot of the hill. Off to the left was the stables where Azriel was leading two horses to the far edge of the gardens where Cas was waiting.

A small set of tables and chairs under umbrellas had been set out by the servants along with some refreshments. Azriel, Feyre and I would be able to relax as the other two idiots raced.

Mor and Feyre talked of a few small topics, mostly recommendations for restaurants and shops in town while I enjoyed the fresh air and company.

I gestured for Feyre to take a seat as Mor went over to look over her horse. Her typical roan Veritas waited patiently for her rider. She looked to be a placid mare but when given the rein, she could outrun the wind herself. Mor decided on a light brown riding habit, complete with breeches to allow her to ride without skirts in the way. If Feyre had thought this unusual, she had yet to comment on it.

Cassian was already astride his white stallion, aptly named White. The name had come from some of the town kids who pleaded with Cas to be allowed to name his horse. Cas may have a large personality but was soft at heart.

I explained all of this to Feyre as I poured her lemonade and took a seat beside her, waiting on the riders to be ready.

“I have to say, after that information, I think I would like to place my money on Miss Night,” Feyre remarked. Mor must have overheard her and let out a whoop of triumph.

“It sounds as though you have no faith in me, Miss Acheron,” Cas called out. “How much would you like to wager.”

“We both have too much money for betting marks to be fun, what might tempt you instead?” she returned.

“The location of your roaming cat, perhaps?” Cas said so fast that there was no way he thought it through.

Feyre looked Cassian and his horse up and down, contemplating if the stakes merited the reward. “Deal,” she finally said. “If Miss Night wins, you must give up drinking for a month.”

“What!” he exclaimed. I let out a startled laugh at her wager, she must know that Cas was too fond of the drink to risk losing it for so long.

Mor was laughing so hard that she nearly fell off of Veritas. Cassian opened and closed his mouth, making him look like a fish out of water, which caused Feyre to begin to chuckle.

“You drive a hard bargain, but I accept your wager, Miss Archeron. I can only hope you’re prepared to make good on your promise.”

“On my honor, Mr. Monte,” she promised with a mischievous light in her eyes. She threw me a wink, confident that she would be the winner of the bet.

“The race will be three laps. You must go around the pond, behind the oak on the far side of the field and then return on the opposite side of the pond,” Az stated. “I do not want to see any interference with the other rider, this will be a nice, clean race, otherwise you will be disqualified. We don’t need to send for the doctor today,” he finished with a serious look at the two. The nodded back, ready and focused to start.

“Line up,” the command rung out.

Feyre leaned back in her chair and sipped on her lemonade, the picture of ease.

“On my mark. Go!” Azriel brought down his white handkerchief and the two shot forward.

Thundering hooves filled the air but quickly faded as the two galloped up the side of the pond. Azriel claimed a seat at the other table, quietly observing the race to make sure that neither of them pulled any tricks.

“It seems as though the two are evening matched, both of their seats are solid and impeccable,” Feyre comments, her eyes tracking them.

“Are you a horsewoman, Miss Archeron?” I asked.

“Hardly, I was raised to notice such things as a lady, so that I may remark on tedious details when conversations begin to die out.”

“I see.”

“That is twice that you have mentioned calling for the doctor, do all of your bets and competitions carry the possibility of injury?”

I chuckled, pulling a platter of pastries closer. “Mor said that lemon tarts were your favorite.” “Yes, thank you,” she said, “But you cannot avoid my question.”

“No, most of our games are relatively tame, battles of wit or observation, rarely do they become so physical. This is one of those incidences.”

Mor had pulled out ahead when she rounded the tree and now shot by us, Feyre clapped her hand in encouragement. Cassian was too focused on Mor’s back to give us any dirty looks.

“So how is Cassian when he doesn’t have any alcohol in his system?” Feyre wondered aloud, still focused on the race.

Azriel was the one to answer this time. “Absolutely unmanageable.” All three of them laughed at that. They had almost reached the tree again, Cassian looked to be catching up but Mor still had the lead by quite a bit.

“How did you endure your introduction to Velaris society?” I asked quietly. I didn’t want to seem like a nosey nuisance, but I was willing to bet she had some strong opinions about the gentry.

Feyre delicately bit into a tart, chewing carefully as she regarded her next words. “Many were polite, if not a bit distant, but that is only to be expected with new acquaintances. Some were too bold in their questions, but I must blame that on myself for allowing the champagne to flow so freely.”

I nodded my agreement as we watched the two enter the final lap. Mor was only in the lead by half a length, Cassian had somehow hunched even lower over White’s head, urging the horse to go even faster.

“Are you worried, Miss Archeron, that you may have to give the location of your cat to Mr. Monte?” I said to her in a low tone, keeping the conversation private from Azriel.

She looked over to me, studying my face. I tried to keep any emotions clear from it, but her blue eyes pierced into mine like she was able to strip away any pretense and see straight through my intentions.

My breath was at risk of getting caught in my throat. Freckles splashed across her nose, drawing attention to her high cheekbones. Streaks of gray broke up the blue in her eyes, the imperfection making them only more memorizing. Her full lips parted, showing the barest hint of straight, white teeth. My eyes flickered down to watch their movement and then retreated to meet her gaze again.

Feyre leaned towards me, almost imperceptibly, causing me to meet her inch for inch.

“No, Mr. Night,” her breath was sweet with lemon, “I’m not worried at all.”

“Why?” I whispered.

“Because I have the feeling that there is only one person in present company that will be able to catch her.”

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