Page 41

The next morning I awaken to find Kes sitting at the end of my bed.

“Good morning, my Queen,” she announces in a very cheery voice. “It sounds like you were having a most interesting dream.”

A blush colours my cheeks as I recall the intimate details of my dream and wonder if I uttered the noises I made in it out loud. I dreamt the prince had returned and I was in the process of harvesting him when we were joined by Barra and Aaran and things had gotten… interesting.

“How long have you been sitting there?” I ask.

She smirks. “Long enough.”

I throw my bedsheets back and swing my legs over the side of the bed. “It’s good to see you returned. You look in good health. I take it you weren't harmed in any way.”

“No, my Queen, neither I nor any of the Khaleeni were injured and the mission was a success.” She raises her hand and shakes a small, slender vial in front of me as if to prove her point.

A smile brightens my face and I feel a sliver of hope lighten my heart. “Well done, Commander, I knew I could rely on you, but pray tell, what was the cause of the delay? I had expected you back some days ago.”

A small frown creases her brow and I feel a prickle of apprehension at the back of my neck.

“We weren't informed of it, but it seems a few nights before the Harvesting there was an attempted breach on the Sky Temple. The intention was either to steal the sacred pennyweed or, as I suspect, to taint it.”

I'm in the process of getting out of bed but I stop all movement and turn to look at her. “What?” I ask. “Someone tried to break into the Sky Temple?”

Kes nods. “Yes, it would seem so.”

“Do the Guardians Of The Temple have any idea who it was? Did they manage to capture anyone?”

“Unfortunately, not.”

“Why are we only hearing about this now? Why didn't they tell us about this before?”

Kes shakes her head. “I don't know. All I know is they trebled the guard and I needed to adjust my plan accordingly in order to secure enough pennyweed for our needs and in a way they wouldn't notice any was gone.”

“How did you do that?” I ask.

She smiles. “I simply took a small amount from each container and placed it in the vial. Thank the gods we don't need much for our purposes. Speaking of which, do you know when the prince will return from his visit with the Holy Cleric?”

I’m not quick enough to hide the look of longing from my eyes when she mentions the prince. “No,” I reply in a quiet voice. “Perhaps he will return today.”

She smiles and stretches out her hand to stop me as I go to make my way past her. “You miss him?”

I nod. “Yes, I’ve become quite fond of him and accustomed to his presence.”

Her smile turns into a smirk. “Especially in your bed?”

I smirk back. “And other places.”

I laugh at her shocked expression all the way across the room as I set about preparing myself for my day ahead.

***

The day starts with an audience with the Grand Master to discuss his concerns at the ongoing presence of the Emissary of Ellerban and his men at the castle and it goes downhill from there.

By the time late afternoon rolls around I'm done and wish to get some air to clear my head, so I decide to go to the stables to see if Barra has made any more progress with the young stallion.

I hear the stallion before I see him as the sound of his hooves thundering around the paddock echoes down the path.

He is a fine sight to behold as I turn the corner.

His black coat is glittering like it’s made up of thousands of dark diamonds in the afternoon sun, his head is held high and there is what can only be described as fire in his eyes.

However, it's not the impressive sight of the horse that causes a sharp intake of my breath but the man who commands him in the centre of the paddock. Barra.

He is standing with his muscular arms outstretched by his sides and is naked except for a pair of loose-fitting trousers hanging tantalisingly from his hips.

He is in constant conversation with the young stallion, giving him orders to move this way or that, encouraging and soothing all at the same time.

He’s so intent on his purpose he doesn't notice me watching and I'm quite happy to stand there and observe him do his magic with my horse.

Finally, he ceases the commands and gives the horse a break, whereupon the horse walks up to him and nuzzles Barra affectionately with his head against his chest. Barra smiles and embraces the horse on either side of his head, all the while speaking softly to him in that language I don't understand.

I'm astounded at the level of affection that already exists between this unruly young stallion and a warrior from Ellerban.

I’m also keenly aware the young stallion is not the only one responsive to him.

The flex of his muscles, the fluid movement of his naked torso, the commanding tone of his voice and his innate strength all combine to make me wish I could take the place of my horse.

I want his arms around me. I want to feel his breath on my mouth and the soft caress of that strange but arousing language on my skin.

Suddenly the wind changes direction and the stallion immediately picks up my scent and looks my way.

Barra turns his head to see what the horse is looking at and his face breaks open into a wide smile when he sees it's me.

He says something to the horse in a low voice and then starts walking over to me.

I try my best to steady my erratic pulse and to prevent the soft blush I can feel starting to build in my chest spreading to my face.

However, the combination of his ridged abdomen, bright smile and tantalising flex of the taut V-shaped muscles disappearing into his trousers, all prove too much.

By the time he is standing in front of me my cheeks are flushed bright pink and sheer lust burns my blood.

“Good afternoon, Queen Elinor,” he greets me, his voice so deep and sensuous it feels like a musical instrument vibrating upon my skin.

“Good afternoon, Barra,” I reply, “it seems you have made amazing progress with the stallion.”

He turns to look at the horse who is now ambling slowly around the paddock.

“Yes, we made a breakthrough this morning and have been making great progress ever since.” He stops talking and looks down at his body.

“And sincerest apologies for my state of undress, but in Anillean we wear as little as possible when establishing a bond with a horse. We believe being in our most natural form possible and showing some vulnerability makes the horse trust us quicker.”

I nod, finding it difficult to form words as I wonder how the unique Anillean approach to horse taming affects Anillean women. There’s no doubt it’s had a marked effect upon me. “It’s good to see you so well healed,” I remark, hoping my voice doesn’t betray the rest of my thoughts.

“Thank you,” he replies with a shy smile, “being out in the fresh air and in the company of horses speeds my recovery by the day.”

“Indeed, it does!” The rich voice of the prince sounds behind me and I twirl around in delighted surprise.

I’m so relieved and happy at his return, I feel like running to him and throwing my arms around his broad shoulders.

However, to do so would be to invite too many questions so I retain a calm, queenly manner and politely welcome him back.

“It’s good to be back,” he announces and from the undertone of his voice I suspect there is much he wishes to tell me about his visit with the Holy Cleric. However, for now he strides over to the paddock fence and warmly embraces Barra. “And it’s good to see you recovering so well, brother.”

“Thank you, my Prince, the curative power of horses and the open air is second to none.”

The prince looks past him to the stallion. “So, you’ve started working with him?”

“Yes,” Barra replies, “so far it’s going well.

” Then he makes a sound in his throat and claps his hands.

The stallion responds immediately and starts coming towards him.

Moments later the horse is standing before him as if awaiting a command.

Barra says something in Bawnish and points down the right side of the paddock with his right hand.

The stallion rears his head and takes off at a gallop around the paddock.

The prince raises his eyebrows. “Very impressive.”

Barra makes another sound and the stallion canters back to him. When he reaches out his hand the young stallion quietly nuzzles his palm. “I think it’s time I put him back in his stall,” Barra says. “I’ve worked him hard today and he’s tired.”

“Very well,” the prince replies. “I need to get back to the castle and freshen up after my journey. Will you walk with me, Queen Elinor?”

I nod at the prince and smile at Barra. “Good night and thank you for all the work you’ve done with my horse.”

He beams a broad smile at me, the type of smile that causes my heart to skip a beat. “It’s my pleasure, Queen Elinor.” Then he turns and walks towards the paddock gate.

The prince and I watch as the stallion happily follows him and they disappear into the stables.

“As you can see, I wasn’t exaggerating when I told you he has a gift with horses,” the prince says in a matter of fact voice.

“You certainly weren’t,” I reply, “even though you neglected to mention the semi-naked aspect.”

“Semi-naked?” He chuckles. “Oh, Elinor, the semi part was simply to spare your blushes, usually the Anillean are totally naked when they undertake the bonding process with a wild horse.”

With that he offers me his arm and I fall in step beside him, completely lost for words.

***

The final toll of the night bell sounds and I carefully tuck the vial of pennyweed into the pocket of my gown and make my way along the queen’s passageway to the prince’s chambers. He is waiting for me as the secret door slides back and wastes no time taking me into his arms.