Gavin's POV
The world blurred around me as my horse, Thunder, bolted across the field. My fingers clutched desperately at his mane, but I knew it was useless. I'd lost control.
"Slow down!" I shouted, yanking the reins with no effect.
Thunder's panic only increased, his powerful body surging forward with terrifying speed. Trees whipped past in a green haze. The ravine loomed ahead—the same one Juliana had nearly plunged into earlier. Except this time, there would be no miraculous save.
I'm going to die.
I closed my eyes, bracing for the inevitable. All because I had to prove a point. All because I couldn't stand the thought of Juliana Johnson outshining me.
A thundering of hooves beside me made my eyes fly open.
To my shock, Juliana and her stallion were racing parallel to us. She'd cleared the railing in a perfect jump that should've been impossible. Her face was calm, focused, no trace of the terror I felt consuming me.
