“You know what, Sable? I think I’ve got the basic techniques down completely.” Her voice carried newfound assurance. “This is easier than I thought it would be.
I glanced up at her. “Riding takes time to build trust with your horse. We should stick to the basics and not rush-“
“Oh, please.” Blair laughed, cutting me off. She reached forward to pat the mare’s neck. “I’ve always been naturally good with animals. See? She already trusts me completely.”
She looked ahead down the trail. “Could we try a faster pace? I’d love to catch up with Caelan and surprise him.”
I frowned. “Blair, I really recommend more practice with basic positioning. Faster gaits require-
“I’m more talented than you think, Sable.” Her tone cooled noticeably. She paused, her expression growing complex. “Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”
Before I could respond, she ignored my advice entirely.
Come on, beauty.” Blair’s heels nudged the mare’s flanks. ‘Let’s go find Caelan.”
That’s when everything went wrong.
A sharp, piercing bird cry cut through the forest from somewhere deep in the trees. Then something moved fast through the underbrush. Rustling. Crashing.
Blair’s chestnut mare went rigid instantly. Her ears flattened back against her skull. The whites of her eyes showed.
“Wait, something’s not right- I started.
The mare’s hind legs kicked out. Her front hooves shot into the air as a terrified whinny tore from her throat.
‘Blair! Grab the reins! Lean forward!” I shouted.
But the horse was already bucking wildly. Her back arched. Her head whipped side to side as she tried to dislodge her rider.
“What’s wrong with her?” Blair’s voice cracked with panic. “I can’t control her!”
Time slowed to a crawl.
Blair’s hands scrambled for the saddle’s front edge. But the mare’s movements were too violent. Blair’s body began sliding toward the right.
Her left leg tried desperately to grip the horse’s side. But then within second, her hand lost its hold.
Her body spun unnaturally in the air.
Then came the sickening thud.
Blair’s head struck a granite boulder jutting from the forest floor with brutal force. Blood exploded across the gray stone.
She collapsed in a twisted heap. Motionless.
The mare continued her terrified flight deeper into the woods, her hoofbeats fading.
Terror shot through my chest like electricity. I rushed to Blair’s side, dropping to my knees.
“Blair? Blair! Can you hear me?”
My fingers found her neck. Weak but steady pulse.
The head trauma was severe. Blood streamed from behind her ear. My heart sank as I assessed the damage.
I mind-linked Caelan immediately. “Caelan! Blair’s seriously injured! Forest trail near the big oak! Get here now!”
I fumbled for my phone with one hand while keeping the other on Blair’s pulse.
Emergency medical at the riding center? We need immediate support…”
Three minutes later, thundering hoofbeats approached through the trees. Caelan’s black stallion burst through the brush. He leaped down before his horse fully stopped.
“Blair!”
He slid to his knees beside her, his voice raw with panic.
Scarlett, Leon, and Peter arrived seconds later. Shock painted their faces. Scarlett immediately moved to my side, her arm wrapping around my shoulders.
The medical team’s ATV roared up behind them, equipment rattling in the back.
Caelan carefully cradled Blair’s head, afraid to move her too much.
‘Blair? Blair, it’s me, Caelan. Can you hear me? Open your eyes and look at me…”
“Sir, please step back.” The paramedic knelt beside Blair. ‘Let us assess her condition.”
Caelan rose slowly. Blood stained his hands.
When he lifted his head, his eyes locked onto mine.
No anger. No shouting. Just cold, penetrating judgment.
My chest felt like someone had driven a sledgehammer into my ribs. Breathing became difficult.
I opened my mouth to explain. “Caelan, this was an accident. The horse spooked suddenly-
‘Pupils responding sluggishly,” the paramedic interrupted. “Possible intracranial pressure. We need immediate hospital transport for CT scan.”
Two medics transferred Blair carefully to a stretcher.
‘I’m going with her to the hospital,” Caelan told them. “She’s my sister.
He followed the stretcher toward the ambulance without looking back.
I stood alone as the vehicle disappeared through the trees, carrying Caelan and Blair away from me.
Sable. Scarlett gripped my cold hand. “What happened?”
“Blair asked me to teach her to ride. Then she wanted to go faster. I told her not to rush, but suddenly the horse spooked and threw her.”
“That’s strange. We’ve been riding these trails for years without incidents like this. These horses are professionally trained, gentle temperaments.”
I nodded, my mind replaying every detail of the accident.
Why did Blair deliberately create this situation? She was willing to hurt herself just to frame me. She wanted Caelan to blame me, to drive a wedge between us.
She’s completely unhinged.
“But regardless,” Scarlett continued fiercely, ‘Caelan shouldn’t have blamed you without asking a single question.”
Leon cleared his throat nervously. “Caelan was just worried. He didn’t really blame her. In that situation, any brother would-
“Shut up, Leon!” Scarlett whirled on him. “Did you see his expression? That wasn’t worry!”
Peter tried to calm the situation. “Scarlett, you’re getting too worked up-
“Blair’s horse lost control! How is that Sable’s fault?”
I caught Scarlett’s hand, stopping her from continuing the argument. “I need to go to the hospital. To check on Blair.”
Caelan’s POV
The sharp scent of antiseptic stung my nostrils as I sat in the chair beside Blair’s hospital bed. A bandage wrapped around her head where they’d stitched the gash closed.
The doctor had been optimistic. “Superficial head trauma,’ he’d explained. “The wound looks worse than it is. She’ll need overnight observation, but she should be fine to go home tomorrow.”
Relief had flooded through me then. But now, watching Blair sleep peacefully, other thoughts crept in.
Something doesn’t add up.
Blair was one of my most skilled warriors. How does someone with her experience just… fall off?
Her eyelids fluttered. Then opened slowly, revealing violet eyes clouded with confusion.
“Caelan?” Her voice came out small and weak.
I leaned forward. “I’m here. How are you feeling?”
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