Bryn looked up at the ceiling. "Which horse would this be?"
"Mine."
Bryn nodded. "Ah yes. He said he didn't want to be your horse anymore."
"So where is he now?"
Bryn smiled at the woman. "I let him go. Horses really shouldn't be captive animals by the likes of you."
"Why you little brat!" Kathryn yelled as she raised her hand to Bryn. She quickly took control of her anger though and crossed her arms over her chest. "Mariah, make her go get my horse."
Mariah shrugged carelessly. "I cannot make him be your horse if he does not wish to be. If you want him back, I'd suggest you go talk to him yourself."
"Are you insane? He's a horse!"
"If you would rather not talk to him, you can always walk home," Mariah replied casually. Bryn smiled up at her and giggled.
"Oh, but Mariah, its dark outside. Couldn't I just stay here with you tonight?" Kathryn said, her voice cracking.
"I'll have one of the elves escort you home then," Mariah said.
Bryn smiled up at Kathryn. "Besides, Lady Kathryn, you're the scariest thing in these woods."
Kathryn gasped and slammed the door behind her as she left. Bryn laughed and curled up on the couch, her wings wrapped around her as they basked in the dying firelight.
Mariah chuckled silently quietly to herself and inspected the door. It had no damage, so she turned to Bryn and smiled at her. "I am sorry about that; I really hated how rude she was to you. I simply cannot see what she wants with me. She is already married, and I do not think she would be very happy living so far from civilization." Mariah sighed softly and took a seat on the couch next to her, letting the tension drain from her body.
"I can," Bryn murmured as she blushed deeply and looked over her shoulder as the fire's soft roar slowed to a gentle simmer.
Mariah chuckled at her and leaned back against the couch. The glowing embers of the dying fire reflected in Bryn's large eyes as its fragrant smoke drifted throughout the cabin. Her wings were looking much healthier, holding no resemblance to their former stubs.
"I am glad she finally left." Mariah said. "I have dealt with her antics for far too long. Perhaps this time she will stay gone. The wards should have never let her in, but I suppose since she's been here before they thought she meant no one any harm. They'll keep her out now. If she persists or means to harm either of us in the future, she'll be dealt with accordingly."
*~*~*
"Why don't you like her, Mariah?" Bryn asked as she stretched out on the couch. "She looked very pretty. Or perhaps your heart belongs to someone else?" She was hopeful, but she did not let it show.
Mariah delicately took her small hand within hers and stroked her palm with her own fingertips. "We are simply not a good match, Bryn; she is quite interested in playing the social game while I try to avoid it if possible." Mariah pondered her next words carefully. "My heart has not been tied to anyone for a very long time…" Before finishing her words, her face flushed slightly, and she turned away from her to peer into the fire.
Bryn's heart fluttered in her chest. She watched Mariah's face closely before deciding on what she had wanted to do for a while. She leaned toward Mariah and cupped her soft face between her hands.
Bryn looked into her eyes briefly before pressing her lips against her cheek. She held Mariah for a moment and then reluctantly forced herself to stand up. She gazed into her eyes one last time before closing her wings around her shoulders and walking toward the bedroom. "Goodnight, Mariah," she said over her shoulder. "You're welcome to sleep on the floor if you wish." She departed into the bedroom; her cheeks still flushed a dark red.
Mariah nodded at her and followed into the bedroom. She prepared her bed upon the floor and extinguished the torches around the room as Bryn settled under the bed covers. "Goodnight, Bryn. May you sleep peacefully this night."
Mariah snuggled into the bedroll and slowly shut her eyes. Bryn lay silently under the covers until her breathing became regular and the songbirds outside had been replaced by the hooting of an owl. She sat up in bed slowly and pulled the white gown over her head. Bryn crept out of bed and draped the gown over the back of a chair. She gazed at herself in the mirror, the nakedness of her healed body a wondrous fascination.
Mariah stirred, and Bryn quickly returned to the bed. Tentatively, she leaned over the edge and smiled at her sleeping form. Mariah's pale blond hair was disheveled, her finely chiseled face perfectly illuminated in the moonlight. Bryn slowly extended a hand to her face and traced the curves of her mouth and chin. Mariah's breath warmed her touch and she felt a stirring deep within her soul. Finally, she pulled away from her and brought the covers up around her shoulders.
"I think I am falling in love with you," she softly said to Mariah. The owl hooted in the distance and she could no longer resist drifting off into a deep and blessedly dreamless sleep.
Chapter Seven
Bryn awoke with the sunrise and slid silently out of bed. She tiptoed cautiously around the still sleeping Mariah. As Bryn watched her sleep, she had the instant urge to kiss her soft lips. She knelt down next to her and ran a finger over her cheek and neck. She trailed her finger down over Mariah's chest and stomach. Mariah stirred in her sleep as Bryn neared her waist. She smiled warmly at her and pulled a white summer dress over her head. A white light flashed by the window, and she heard a soft nicker from outside and started walking toward it. At the door, she turned back and gave one last smile to Mariah and blew her a kiss before wrapping her cloak around her body. Bryn slipped her feet into some shoes and grabbed a bag of coins that Mariah had left on the couch.
The rising sun stung her eyes at first, but they quickly adjusted and she ran to Luca as he played in the field. She reached him and hugged his big white neck. He let her hold him for only a moment before pulling away and prancing in sunlight.
"Luca?" she said between giggles.
"Yes?"
"Would you like to go to town with me right now?"
"That could be interesting."
She smiled at him and they started walking. The tall grass brushed against their legs as they walked toward the gate.
"So what do you need in town?" he asked her as he munched on some leaves.
"I want to make Mariah breakfast, but I don't know what yet."
Luca swallowed his food and looked over at Bryn. "You really like her, don't you?" She shook her head and blushed. "I'm a horse, Bryn. Not stupid."
She sighed and looked up at him. "Is it really that obvious?"
The big stallion laughed and smiled at her. "As much as it is that she likes you too."
"Really?" she asked hopefully.
He nodded and held a branch up away from her head as she passed under it. "Of course. I have never seen her look at anyone the way she looks at you."
They came to the gate and Bryn stayed close by Luca's side as he led her past the lions. Their stone faces seemed to be watching her, and she shivered uncomfortably. They traveled along the dusty road and Bryn looked to her left at the wall. It was made entirely of smooth marble. Its ledge was well above her head. Bryn guessed that it was probably about eight feet high.
"Who built this wall, Luca?" she asked as she ran her hands over the cold stone.
"Mariah did. The elves helped, of course, but she did a lot of the work."
"It must have taken her forever," she said as they kept walking toward town.
"I'm still trying to figure that one out too. Blame it on magic. It explains everything else in that forest," he said offhandedly.
"How long have you known her, Luca?" Bryn asked as she played with a flower in her hands.
"Almost all my life," he said thoughtfully.
"Really?"
He nodded and smiled at her. "Mariah saved my life when I was just a foal."
"Will you tell me about it?"
Luca looked over at the rising sun. "When I was very young, there was a brutal storm, and I was separated from my herd. Mariah foun
d me that night and saved me. She nursed me back to health and raised me. We've been friends ever since."
She smiled at him and ran her hand over his smooth neck and shoulder. "Mariah's a really great woman, isn't she?"
"Yeah, she is."
Bryn pulled her cloak tightly around her body as they neared the town. "How's the horse that I released doing?"
"Juno?"
Bryn nodded. Luca smiled at her and chuckled. "Poor guy didn't know what to make of everything. He's never been wild before. But he'll be fine now that he's made some friends in the herd."
"You have a herd?"
Luca nodded. "Well, it's not really my herd. More along the lines of just a bunch of horses that are wild that were released or rescued or just decided to come join us."
"Do you have a mate?"
Luca laughed. "A mate? Heavens no. You do ask a lot of questions for a two-legged don't you?" He smiled at Bryn warmly and ruffled her hair with his muzzle.
She blushed and smiled. "Sorry. Bad habit, I suppose."
"No, it's fine. I love talking, but everyone seems too preoccupied lately. They're all pregnant or nursing their new foals or falling in love. It's ridiculous. I'm glad just to be away from it all."
Bryn giggled. "Why don't you have any foals coming, Luca?"
He shrugged and smiled at her. "I've lived with Mariah too long I think. I've been so used to being a bachelor that even though I'm surrounded by beautiful mares, I care for them only because they need me."
Bryn frowned. "Is that the only reason Mariah cares for me?"
"Of course not. And don't ever think that again, Bryn. Mariah cares for you very deeply and she would do so even if you didn't need her."
Bryn smiled at him and blushed. "Thank you, Luca."
"It's the truth."
They smiled at each other and walked into town. Luca knew that the people couldn't understand him when he spoke, but they wouldn't be kind to Bryn if they saw her talking in his language. He stayed close by her side as they went through the busy town.
There were carts and people everywhere. Bryn shuddered as men and women yelled around her. She saw Angie and quickly ran to meet her.
"Hello, Bryn," Angie called as Bryn caught up. "And who is this handsome gentleman?" She looked Luca over and smiled. "You could get a good price for a horse as beautiful as he is."
Bryn laughed and shook her head as Luca snorted in disgust. "He's a friend, Angie. I could never sell him."
"What's his name, dear?"
"Luca."
Angie curtseyed dramatically. "Please to meet you, Luca."
Luca nickered, and they followed Angie down a long aisle of carts.
"What's going on?" Bryn softly asked, wide-eyed. She had never before seen so many people all in one place. Even when Franklin had thrown his lavish parties many years ago, there were never so many people. That had been before he had lost all his money. Back before he needed to find new ways to make it, first with her friends and then later with her.
"'Tis market day," Angie explained as she followed Bryn's gaze. After a few moments, Angie's eyes settled back on her. "I'm headed up north for bit. I shouldn't be gone more than a week. My sister, Abigail, will be having her baby soon. I plan to be there and help in whatever way I can. You be careful now. Don't get all your dresses dirty before I have a chance to make you new ones," she warned sternly.
Both women knew Angie wasn't just warning her about getting dirty.
"I promise not to roll around in any mud until you get back," Bryn replied. For the first time, her stomach didn't hurt and her mind didn't wander at the mention of a child. She was genuinely happy for the woman. "Will I get to meet the baby?"
"Absolutely. My sister would love to meet you, and I bet the baby would too. And not just because of your… um… unusual attributes," Angie said in a hushed whisper. There were strangers about.
Bryn blushed and nodded. "I would like to meet them too."
"Then it's settled. As soon as the baby is old enough, and my sister is strong again, I will bring them here, and we will all have some tea," Angie replied with a warm smile. She pulled Bryn into a tight hug before saying goodbye to them both. Angie patted Luca's forehead before turning to go.
As she watched the woman leave, Bryn stroked Luca's cheek. "What would she like to eat?" she softly asked him.
Luca followed her through the clusters of people.
"These look good," she said as she fingered a few white chicken eggs. She paid for them, and the man gave her a basket to keep them safe. Bryn moved on to the next cart, Luca close beside her. She bought a jar of honey from the woman and then a loaf of warm bread from the man next to her. Next came butter and fresh orange juice.
They rounded the corner, and Bryn walked up to a man selling meat. He had rows of sausages, hams of all sizes, and many different large chunks of steak.
"Does Mariah eat meat?" she whispered to Luca as the man finished with a customer.
"Hello there, miss. Would you care for some fresh ham?" he asked her. Bryn smiled at the man and nodded. He wrapped it for her and handed her the package. "It's already cooked, so you don't have to worry about that, miss. It'll be one silver please."
She handed him the money and tentatively put the package in the basket. Her hands felt dirty touching the meat, but she reminded herself that it was for Mariah and that if she liked it, then it would be okay. Bryn thanked the man and then followed Luca to another section of carts.
They pushed their way through a bunch of playing children and their doting mothers before finally finding a calmer part of the mass. Bryn looked around, her eyes settling on a man selling a few animals. Luca accidentally bumped into her and looked up.
"Want to buy her?" a man asked Bryn as he followed her gaze to one of his horses.
"Please," Luca whispered to her, his voice cracking through his pain. "Mariah wouldn't mind if that's what you're worried about. Please save her, Bryn."
Bryn nodded softly and forced herself to look away from the small gray mare's visible ribs and protruding hips. "How much?" she asked, her voice hoarse with the tears that she forced herself to hold back.
The man looked her over, his pale lips curving into a smile. "Yer a pretty little thing, so how about one silver coin? On account of those curls of yers."
Bryn blushed modestly and paid the man. He gave her the end of the rope that was wrapped around the mare's face.
"It's okay. You're fine now," Bryn whispered softly to her. The mare stared back with cold, dead eyes. Bryn took the rope off the horse's face and looked to the still stunned Luca.
"Let's go home," she softly said softly to him. He nodded and led them away from the commotion to the silence of the fields. Bryn waited until they had left town to talk to the mare.
"What's your name?" she asked.
The horse only stared at her. Luca nuzzled the gray mare reassuringly. "It's okay. She can understand us."
The mare's eyes widened. "How? No human has ever been able to."
Bryn laughed and pulled her cloak back a little to expose her wings. "Well, I'm not exactly human. I'm Bryn, and this is Luca. What's your name?"
"Iris," the young mare said shyly.
"Pleased to meet you," Bryn said as she touched the mare's face gently. Iris nickered at her and they walked back to the forest. "You're welcome to stay with us as long as you want. You're free now," she said, remembering Mariah's words as he had led her over the same hill they were now walking on.
"I would like to stay," the mare squeaked meekly. Luca nickered softly to her and caressed her neck with his cheek. He was being gentle, sincere and sweet. Iris nuzzled him back and Bryn found herself, with some surprise, missing Mariah. They passed through the gate and Luca led the mare to the herd while Bryn ran to the house in order to make Mariah breakfast before she woke up. She quickly scrambled a few eggs, threw the bread onto the table and sliced up some of the ham. She quickly washed her hands of it and laid the rest of the meal onto th
e table. The center of the table needed a decoration, so she ran outside and picked a large bouquet of daisies from the field. She placed them on the table, poured some of the orange juice into a glass and then disappeared outside before Mariah saw her. Mariah made some noise as she moved around the bedroom, but Bryn was already outside lying in the grass by that time.
Bryn lay in the flowers, their softly fragrant petals brushing against her body in the summer breeze. Her short sheer dress fluttered against her legs. The little golden flowers embroidered over her stomach and thighs glittered in the rising sun. It was late morning, but she couldn't tell the actual time, only that the sun was overhead.
Bryn heard Luca grazing with the other horses near her. Iris was with, munching softly on the grass. Bryn sighed as her skin warmed in the gentle morning sun.
*~*~*
Mariah yawned softly and wiped the sleep from her eyes. The sun was already in the window and the birds were singing their sweet songs within the trees. Mariah rose from her makeshift bed and returned it to the closet. The familiar scent of cooked ham wafted through the pleasant morning air, and Mariah stepped out of the bedroom. Mariah remembered hearing Bryn wake earlier that morning but was not sure where Bryn had gone. Mariah walked to the table and was taken slightly aback when she saw what had been so carefully laid upon it. By her chair was a fine plate covered with hearty portions of ham and scrambled eggs.
A smaller plate held a few slices of warm bread and several pats of golden butter. Fresh honey had been set out next to the bread in a small, glass pitcher. Centered on the table was a lovely bouquet of cut daisies in a fine crystal vase, filling the air with their gentle sweetness. Mariah smiled to herself and looked around for Bryn and finally spotted her through one of the cabin windows playing with Luca outside. There was a smaller, somewhat malnourished, horse near them that she did not recognize. She was happily trotting alongside them, stopping every few steps to munch on some green grass.
Mariah watched them for a while and then sat down at the table before the delicious-looking food cooled. She spread some of the soft butter on the bread and drizzled it with the fresh honey from the pitcher. The warm bread tasted wonderful and she moved on to the eggs and ham. When she had finished the delicious meal, she washed the dishes and retrieved a small pot for the daisies. Mariah waved her hand in front of the flowers and small roots began to spring out from the base of their stems. She filled the pot with some soil and planted the flowers within it. Mariah set the pot back at the center of the table and went outside to join Bryn and Luca.
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