a deleted scene from the end of Chapter 12 in The Secret Soulbond

When Dare joined the Campbells and their other friends from Lady Ducharme’s fencing salon at the kelpie races on the coast south of Ormas, he couldn’t help a soft smile. As a lover of animals, doubtless Annalise would insist on petting the kelpies if she was here. On land, the black magical creatures resembled horses with glowing green eyes, but in water, their hind limbs shifted into a massive tail like a dolphin’s. And although they appeared gentle, kelpies could be impish and intractable, especially when people attempted to capture them. They often took those fools on wild, deadly rides in the depths of their watery homes.

He chuckled as he sat beside Sir Ellis. Not that many in Calatini were so foolish, thanks to their longstanding treaty with the nightmara, another horse-like magical creature. That treaty had inspired some enterprising sailors to approach the kelpie two centuries ago, and soon after the kelpie races were born. Since kelpies raced both on land and under water, their races were unpredictable and exciting, so they were a favorite of those at court who adored sport.

Dare and the others leaned forward as a bell tolled to assemble the racing kelpies and their riders. Wearing breathing charms about their necks, the riders leapt atop their kelpies, and the twelve pairs headed to the poles marking the start and finish. Then the bell tolled again, and the wild race began.

While the crowd cheered their favorites, the kelpies and their riders leapt from the rocks into the sea. As their hind limbs transformed into tails, the kelpies slammed into one another to dislodge the others’ riders. Two bungling riders tumbled from their kelpies with a splash. As their kelpies squealed and slapped their tails in the water at already losing the race, most of the crowd whooped, although their few supporters groaned.

Then the four strongest kelpies surged forward through the frothy waves and plunged into the dark sea with their riders clinging to their backs. The other kelpies and riders soon followed. The crowd stilled as they waited for the kelpies to emerge.

Suddenly, two kelpies erupted from the sea like a geyser. The crowd cheered as the two kelpies leapt ashore, their tails transforming into hind limbs when they touched land. The crowd cheered louder as the two kelpies barreled across the rocky shore, racing neck and neck with their drenched riders crouched on their backs.

Just before the poles, the all-black kelpie stumbled on the uneven ground, and the kelpie with a blaze hurtled forward and through the poles. While the crowd roared and whistled, the bells tolled to end the race, and the winning kelpie slowed then trotted to the winner’s area with his still dripping rider slapping his shoulder.

Sir Ellis grinned at Dare. “A wild race, yes?”

Dare returned his friend’s grin. “Definitely. I hope the others are as exciting.”

On the other side of Sir Ellis, Lady Campbell arched her brows at the winning kelpie. “I’ve never seen a kelpie with a blaze before.” She glanced at her husband. “Dyed, do you think?”

Sir Ellis nodded, rubbing his chin. “No doubt with magic. Ordinary dye wouldn’t mark a kelpie’s black fur.”

Dare squinted at the winning kelpie. True, and the white glow of magic was slightly brighter on the kelpie’s forehead—doubtless the blaze spell. Then he winced and blinked when a myriad of dazzling witchlights ignited as the sun sank below the sea.

While the Campbells discussed the kelpies straggling ashore with the Duke and Duchess of Childes plus Sir Alaric and Lady Keyes, Dare glanced about the now bright racing area. He stilled as his gaze met Alex’s. Although he’d mentioned the kelpie races during their sword fight this morning on the cliffs above the royal bay, he’d not expected the younger gentleman to attend. Holding Alex’s gaze, he inclined a faint nod no one would notice unless scrutinizing him. He couldn’t risk anyone at court realizing their friendship—Annalise needed her brother’s support to elude their ambitious parents’ schemes.

As a bell tolled to assemble the kelpies and their riders, Dare sighed and smoothed his beard while turning to face the poles marking the race. Goddess, he missed Annalise. Hopefully, they could meet at the Duchess of Wildewall’s garden party next week.