by Mary Winter
“Sure. Want me to see what Jake can do? That way you can make a better decision when that man returns?” Haley’s cool demeanor toward Guyas startled Clarice. Normally the young woman was warm with everyone.
“That’d be great.” Clarice waited for Haley to halter Jake, then lead him to the end of the hall. She took a few moments to add saddle, blanket, and bridle, before walking him to the big outdoor arena.
Clarice slipped into Flynn’s stall. “Okay. She’ll be gone for a while. I think we need to talk.”
Flynn shifted. “You’re right. What did Guyas want? What did you tell him?”
“You know, my first question was going to be how come you shift wearing that same outfit, followed quickly by how come you’re a gelding in horse form, but since you mentioned Guyas, who is he to you? He seemed… different somehow. Is he an Elf?” Clarice sat on the clean shavings, stretching her legs out as she rested her back against the stall.
Flynn sat beside her. He curled his arm over her shoulders, the warm weight inviting. “Guyas is a member of the Council. The Council contains twelve individuals, three Elves from the four ruling clans. They make policy and rule us all.” With his free hand, he stroked her cast. “I, um, kind of failed in my job by breaking your arm. I thought he was here to punish me.”
“Punish you, how? I don’t think you failed. A lapse of judgment to be sure, but you more than made up for it. You said your job was to make me happy.” Her brow furrowed. “Wait, if he’s an Elf, and he wants Jake, then is Jake an Elf? Because otherwise it doesn’t make sense. Jake doesn’t strike me as a mount a wealthy person would want for his daughter. He’s not a flashy hunter.”
“For punishment I could be locked in my horse form or banished from Underhill. There’s many ways to punish an Elf, especially one of the long-lived clans like mine.” He frowned. “Yes, Jake’s an Elf. He’s trapped in his horse form, and I don’t think he wants anyone besides me to know.”
“I won’t tell anyone,” she promised. “But I’m glad to know. You said you were long lived?”
“I’m fifty-six, and I’m considered quite young. More like a twenty-year-old human than someone with wisdom and maturity.”
“So I’ve got a younger man, huh?” Clarice chuckled. “So you know Guyas. Do you have anything to do with the check in my pocket? I know you don’t want me to try to ride yet.”
Flynn nodded. “I cost you so much. I went to Underhill hoping to convince them to do something to help. You’re so happy when you’re with the horses, and I’ve seen you with the children. You have an inner light, a glow. You’re not mad are you?”
“Mad?” Clarice hugged him. “Why would I be mad? You brought funds into my organization. You make me happy. You’ve fulfilled your mission.” Her voice grew somber. “So now what? I’m not mad, and I don’t want to think about you leaving. But you’re going to leave now, right?”
“Why would I leave? I suspect I have to make sure you’re happy every moment of your life for the rest of your life. And I owe you at least one horse show. I don’t want to leave, Clarice. I love you.” He brushed his lips across hers, a gentle kiss that held so much warmth, so much love, it brought tears to Clarice’s eyes.
“Really?” she asked when he pulled away. “You love me?”
Flynn nodded. “I’ve loved you pretty much from the moment you purchased me at the sale.”
“That’s so wonderful. I love you too. But what are we going to tell Haley? I can’t keep you as a horse and an Elf, can I?”
“Haley’s going to figure it out eventually. I think she knows more than you realize. And I was kind of hoping you’d let me move into the house.” Flynn grinned a boyish smile.
“I think that can be arranged. But first, you owe me a ride.” Clarice rose to her feet. “Come on.”
“You could always bring me into the house. I could give you a ride then.” His husky voice sent shivers down her spine. The teasing notes hardened her nipples and made her clit throb.
“Later. I trust you not to hurt me. So come on, shift. It’s been too many weeks since I’ve been on horseback.”
“All right, but just for you,” he answered. Moments later Flynn the horse stood in his place, and Clarice led him from his stall.
Twenty minutes later, astride Flynn, she cantered around the arena. His joy filled her mind, and she shared her own love of being on horseback. Flynn’s horse play might have gotten her into the cast, but right now she couldn’t wait to get out of it. She’d give him a run for his money, but in the end, they’d both win. Because without his need for fun, she wouldn’t have found love. He added a playful hop into his canter, and she laughed. Oh, yeah. She couldn’t wait to get out of her cast.
Mary Winter
Mary commutes between her dream home near the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, and her current residence in Iowa. She lives with a menagerie of animals including an opinionated horse and a cat who was a dog in a past life. When not writing spicy tales of erotic romance, she enjoys writing science fiction and fantasy, spending time with her horse, and enjoying the outdoors. Lucky for her, her partner (hero) shares these same passions, and usually both of them can be found in their respective dens writing.
