Savior (10 page)

              Kathryn was visibly hurt but before she could say anything Alyssa came through the door, her bright blue eyes ablaze with anger. “Oh hello creature,” Kathryn called to her. Ice dripped from her words like venom.

              Alyssa stopped walking and faced the woman. “I’m trying really hard to respect my elders, but you are making it damn near impossible.” The woman came toward her but Alyssa quickly moved out of the way.

              “You can talk? That must have taken a lot of work for someone as ignorant as you to learn,” Kathryn retaliated.

              The angel giggled. “Of course I can talk. As can your horse. He said to tell you that you should lose some weight, you’re hurting his back.”

              Marcus snickered softly though his eyes quickly turned to anger, "That is enough! I must insist you leave now Kathryn. I do not love you and I never could, find some other money to marry into."

              Kathryn stuck up her nose and glared at the giggling angel. She left the cabin, but came back seconds later, her face red with anger. “Where is my horse?” she demanded of Alyssa.

              “I have no idea what you are talking about,” she said innocently as she studied her nails.

              Kathryn fumed and balled her hands into fists as her anger rose. “I know that you did something you little lying brat,” she said between clenched teeth.

              Alyssa looked up at the ceiling. “Which horse would this be?”

              “Mine.”

              The angel nodded. “Ah yes. He said he didn’t want to be your horse anymore.”

              “So where is he now?”

              Alyssa smiled at the woman. “I let him go. Horses really shouldn’t be captive animals.”

              "Why you little brat!" Kathryn yelled as she raised her hand to the angel. She quickly took control of her anger though and crossed her arms over her chest. “Marcus make her go get my horse,” she commanded to him.

              Marcus 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,” he replied casually. Alyssa smiled up at him and giggled.

              “Oh but Marcus, its dark outside. Couldn’t I just stay here with you tonight?” she said, her voice cracking as she pretended to be nice.

              “I’ll have one of the elves escort you home then,” he said.

              Alyssa giggled and smiled up at the woman. “Besides, Lady Kathryn, you’re the scariest thing in these woods.”

              Kathryn gasped and slammed the door behind her as she left. Alyssa laughed and curled up on the couch, her wings wrapped around her as they basked in the dying firelight.

              Marcus chuckled silently to himself and inspected the door. It had no damage so he turned to

              Alyssa 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.” He sighed softly and took a seat on the couch next to her, letting the tension drain from his body.

              Alyssa giggled and smiled at him. “I can,” she murmured as she blushed deeply and looked over her shoulder as the fire’s soft roar slowed to a gentle simmer.

              Marcus chuckled at her and leaned back against the couch. The glowing embers of the dying fire reflected in the angel’s large eyes as its fragrant smoke drifted though out the cabin. Her wings were looking much healthier, holding no resemblance to their former stubs. “I am glad she finally left, I have dealt with her antics for far too long, perhaps this time she will stay gone.”

              “Why don’t you like her Marcus? She looked very pretty,” Alyssa asked as she stretched out on the couch. “Or perhaps your heart belongs to someone else?” she was hopeful, but she did not let it show.

              Marcus delicately took her small hand within his and stroked her palm with his fingertips. “We are simply not a good match Alyssa; she is quite interested in playing the social game while I try to avoid it if possible.” He pondered his next words carefully, “My heart has not been tied to anyone for a very long time, though…” Before finishing his words his face flushed slightly and he turned away from her to peer into the fire.

              Alyssa’s heart fluttered in her chest. She watched his face closely before deciding on what she had wanted to do for a while. She leaned toward him and cupped his soft face between her hands.

              Alyssa looked into his eyes briefly before pressing her lips against his cheek. She held him for a moment and then reluctantly forced herself to stand up. She gazed into his eyes one last time before closing her wings around her shoulders and walking toward the bedroom. “Goodnight Marcus,” 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.

              Marcus nodded at her and followed into the bedroom. He thought about floating above the floor, but decided to retrieve a bedroll from the closet instead. Marcus prepared his bed upon the floor and extinguished the torches around the room as Alyssa settled under the bed covers. “Goodnight Alyssa, may you sleep peacefully this night.”

              He snuggled into the bedroll and slowly shut his eyes. Alyssa lay silently under the covers until his 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. Alyssa 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 body a wondrous fascination.

              Marcus stirred and she quickly returned to the bed. Tentatively she leaned over the edge and smiled at his sleeping form. His pale blond hair was disheveled, his finely chiseled face perfectly illuminated in the moonlight. Alyssa slowly extended a hand to his face and traced the curves of his mouth and chin. His breath warmed her touch and she felt a stirring deep within her soul. Finally she pulled away from him and pulled the covers up around her shoulders. “I think I am falling in love with you,” she whispered to him. The owl hooted in the distance and she could no longer resist drifting off into a deep dreamless sleep.

              Alyssa awoke with the sunrise and slid silently out of bed. She tiptoed cautiously around the still sleeping Marcus. As she watched him sleep she had the instant urge to kiss his soft lips. She knelt down next to him and ran a finger over his cheek and neck. Alyssa trailed her finger down over his muscular chest and stomach. He stirred in his sleep as she neared his waist. She smiled warmly at him and pulled a white summer dress over her head. A white light flashed by the window and she heard a soft nicker from outside. At the door she turned back and gave one last smile to him and blew him a kiss before wrapping her cloak around her body. Alyssa slipped her feet into some shoes and grabbed a bag of coins that Marcus 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 held her 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?”

              He paused and studied the angel. It had been months since he had seen the town. Luca missed the bustle and finding new ways to make fun of humans. “That sounds like fun.” 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 Marcus breakfast, but I don’t know what yet.”

              Luca swallowed his food and looked over at the girl. “You really like him don’t you?” She shook her head no and blushed. “I’m a horse Alyssa, not stupid.”

              She giggled. “Is it really that obvious?”

              The big stallion laughed and smiled at the little angel. “As much as it is that he 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 him look at anyone the way he looks at you.” They came to the gate and Alyssa 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 Alyssa looked to her left at the wall. It was made entirely of smooth marble. Its ledge was well above her head. Alyssa 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.

              “Marcus did. The elves helped of course, but he did a lot of the work.”

              “It must have taken him 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 with a shrug.

              “How long have you known him Luca?” she asked as she played with a flower in her hands.

              “Almost all my life,” he said thoughtfully.

              “Really?”

              He nodded and smiled at her. “He saved my life when I was just a foal.”

              “Want to 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. Marcus found me that night and saved me. He 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. “He’s a really great guy isn't he?”

              “Yeah he is.”

              Alyssa pulled her cloak tightly around her body as they neared the town. “How’s the horse that I released doing?”

              “Juno?” Alyssa 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 though, don’t you?” He smiled at her 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.”

              Alyssa giggled. “Why don’t you have any foals coming Luca?”

              He shrugged and smiled at her. “I’ve lived with Marcus 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.”

              She frowned. “Is that the only reason Marcus cares for me?”

              “Of course not. And don’t ever think that again Alyssa. Marcus cares for you very deeply and he would do so even if you didn’t need him,” he said seriously. She 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 Alyssa 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. Alyssa shuddered as men and women yelled around her. She saw Angie and quickly ran to meet her.

              “Hello Alyssa,” the woman called as she 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.”

              Alyssa laughed and shook her head no as the stallion 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.” The stallion giggled and they followed Angie down a long aisle of carts.

              “What's going on?” the wide-eyed angel whispered. She had never before seen so many people all in one place. Even when Ruben had thrown his lavish parties, many years ago of course, 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.