Chapter Three

We took our time making our way through the field to the entrance of the reserve.   I was amazed at the way my grandfather and Roger fit each other.  It was surprising how obediently the powerful gelding followed his lead.  They had a far better connection than Roger and I had, and I thought that ours was pretty darned good.

The gelding looked the perfect size for Ebenezer’s muscled bulk.  It made me wonder what picture I created when I sat on his back.  I was so slender and small boned that I questioned if I looked out of place on such a powerful horse.  It really woundn’t have mattered if I did.  Riding Roger gave me a feeling of well-being that I couldn’t get elsewhere.  I wasn’t joking when I said that we were bonded.

Peter shied at the sight of Maximillian, but, otherwise, stayed the steady mount that I knew him to be.

I was thankful that I wasn’t on Roger’s back when Kenton appeared on his colossal dapple-grey.  The majestic looking creature held his head like he knew just how gorgeous he was.  His body was extremely muscular with a height that topped Roger by a few inches.

Just as Kenton had suspected, Roger had retained a good deal of his stallion personality after being gelded late.  I watched with pride and admiration as both men maneuvered their aggressive steeds into submission after a few moments of doing a dance for dominance.

“I’m sure that it wasn’t much fun for you,” I said with eyes that gleamed with admiration, “but you two looked magnificent as you reined the horses under control.  I’ve never see two stallions challenging and greeting each other like that.  It was actually quite thrilling to watch, but I’m glad I wasn’t riding Roger when it happened.”

My grandfather tossed his head in an invigorated laugh.  “It was the most fun I’ve had in years.  How about you, young Walters?”

Kenton laughed as Maximillian bent his head against the reins and moved his body in a tight circle.  “I always enjoy a challenge.”

“Well, then,” my grandfather said while sitting

relaxed and at ease while Roger moved to and fro in an impatient type of side dance. “Shall we get going?”

We rode the trails of the forest reserve for a good amount of time.  I’d always appreciated being amongst trees that had lived and seen such a great amount of history.  There were times, when I rode alone, that I could swear they talk to me and told me of their adventures in survival on such a volatile planet or shared the secrets of the creatures who shared the reserve with them.   I found the smells of the woods relaxing.   Soon, all of the tension that had entered my body during my conversation with my grandfather back at the stables had disappeared. 

Kenton held the lead with my grandfather close behind.  Since Peter was more of a sure footed ride verses those high steppers, there was a bit of distance between them and me.  I didn’t mind.  It gave me an opportunity to admire the beautiful horse flesh in front of me as well as some very skilled riding.

I did my best to keep my eyes off of Kenton.   His stallion wasn’t the only fine looking specimen of flesh.  Its rider made a mighty fine picture as well.  Every once in a while, a memory of what it was like to be in his embrace flashed through my mind, but I quickly dispelled it.   It didn’t matter that the things I’d believed about him turned out to be untrue.  I was with Godwin now.   For goodness sake, I was more than with Godwin, I was promised to him in marriage.  Thoughts of an old flame - no matter the fact that the reason for the breakup was a misunderstanding about circumstances that were beyond Kenton’s control -  simply didn’t have any business in my  head.   Besides - I reminded myself – even if I did want to get back with Kenton, I’d ruined things where he was concerned by accepting Godwin’s proposal so quickly after Kenton swore his love to  me.   There was just too much water under the bridge to turn back now.

We reached a part of the reserve that I’d never explored.  I followed them down a path that took us out of the woods and into a very large field.

“Are we leaving the reserve?” I called out.

“We’re on Godwin’s land,” Kenton called back.   It was the first he’d spoken to me since our ride began.

I knew that Godwin’s family had owned property on Wolf Mountain since before it was even given the name of Wolf Mountain, but I’d never visited it.  It was at that time that I realized that Godwin had never offered to take me to his home to see it.  Then, again, I was with Kenton longer that I’d been with Godwin and he never took me to his home either.  Should I have a complex about such a thing?  Was there something about me that they didn’t want their loved ones to know or see?  The question hovered around me while I guided Peter across the field at a slow and steady pace.

We came upon what looked like a tractor path in a field behind the stables.  It looked clean and clear.  My grandfather’s eyes lit up as he challenged Kenton to a race.  The two men grinned and gurgled with eager anticipation while they determined the rules of the race and then waited for me to give the signal for the competition to begin. 

At first, I felt left out, but when I saw the speed and power in which the two traveled down a path that was hard packed from tractor use, but still part of the field, I was happy to have been excluded.  With my luck, I would have found the one and only rut and broken either my horse’s leg or my own neck.

When  they turned and barreled back in my direction, I urged Peter a good distance into the tall  grass.  My heart fluttered from the privilege of witnessing such a beautiful sight.  They ran with the speed and determination of champions while my grandfather and Kenton balanced over their withers like professional jockeys.   What added to the splendor was the fact that they weren’t in the confines of a race track.  They were blending with nature while doing a very natural act.  It was a vision that I knew would be planted in my memory forever.

Kenton’s face was alight with excitement and pleasure as he flew past me on Maximillian.   My grandfather, on the other hand, wore a smile that looked strained as he reached the finish line not even a full nose behind Kenton.

“That was spectacular,” Kenton said, breathlessly, as he maneuvered his mount back around to us.

Grandfather had managed to get Roger to stop almost immediately – a very impressive feat- so I had a few moments alone with him before Kenton rejoined us.

“Something’s wrong,” I said as I urged Peter close to Roger.

“I need to walk him so that he doesn’t cramp up,” my grandfather said as he hunched over.  It was clear that he was suffering some type of pain in his side.

“Ebenezer,” Kenton called out with concern when he saw my grandfather’s distress.  “What’s happening?”

“I have a cramp,” my grandfather moaned as he leaned forward.  “It will pass in a moment.”

Kenton’s brow furrowed as he looked up at the position of the sun in the sky.  I knew that he was concerned about it getting too intense for him to tolerate.  For that matter, I was beginning to feel its effects as well, which I assumed was the result of the fact that I was on the road to vampirism.

“Do you need to get off and rest a bit?” Kenton asked.

“I might have to switch horses with my granddaughter,” my grandfather said between clenched teeth.  “This old body doesn’t appreciate it when I try to behave like I was one-hundred again.”

My body trembled with trepidation over the thought of having to ride Roger while Maximillian was in our company.  I’d witnessed the skill required to keep him in hand while my grandfather rode him.  I knew for a fact that my riding ability didn’t compare to his.

Kenton lept off his stallion and tossed the reins to me without asking my permission.  My heart raced up and down my throat while I, worriedly, clung to the thin strips of leather that were attached to a beast that was magnificent to look at, yet incredibly frightening to be around.   I had a new respect for my ex-lover after seeing him with his mount.   It was clear that he had a connection with Maximillian that equaled - if not exceeded-  what I had with Roger.

I watched the impressive muscles of Kenton’s arms and back flex as he assisted my grandfather down from Roger’s back.  My grandfather made a loud “oof” noise when his feet hit the ground, but he didn’t straighten up. 

“It seems I’m stuck in old man mode,” he said with forced light-heartedness.

“What can I do to help?” I asked with concern. 

I wanted to get off Peter and go to him, but I was still holding Maximillian’s reins and I wasn’t sure how he’d behave with  me on the ground.

“Let me walk this cramp off a bit and I should be fine,” he said in a voice that led me to believe that this wasn’t the first time that a cramp like this had occurred.  He eyed the horses and added, “We need to walk them after that run or they’ll be cramping right alongside of me.”

Kenton took his stallion’s reins back and I quickly dismounted.  Pulling Peter behind me, I grabbed Roger’s reins from my grandfather’s tightened grip and informed him in no uncertain terms that I was perfectly capable of walking both of my horses at the same time.  I wanted him free to take care of himself without having to worry about a high strung horse pulling him to and fro.  I emphasized that I had complete confidence in Kenton’s ability to manage his stallion.  Not to mention the fact that they’d run a good deal of their steed’s excess energy out of them by way of the race.  After a moment of mental debate on his part, he surrendered the reins and started down the lane ahead of us.  I watched as his body slowly returned to an upright position and his gate grew steady and solid.

Kenton stayed a few yards ahead of me, but his presence was so strong that it felt as if he was caressing me the entire time while we cooled the horses.  I wanted to say something to him.  Anything.  But, not only couldn’t I think of a thing to say, he was too far ahead for me to simply say it.  I would have had to shout the words to him and I certainly wasn’t about to make my grandfather aware of the strained dynamics between me and his new playmate.

We’d reached the end of the tractor road and were near the stable when I saw Godwin coming toward us from his house.  His face looked grim and disapproving as he drew closer.

“Well, this is a surprise,” he called out as we stopped walking and waited for him.  “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“What a great racing path that tractor road makes.  Have you used it as such?” my grandfather said as he moved to  Roger’s head and stroked it.  “I dare say that I’d have won that little race, had I not cramped up.  Eh, young Walters?”

Kenton smiled and nodded.  “I have no doubt sir.”

“Ebenezer!” my grandfather scolded.

“Ebenezer,” Kenton repeated with humility.

Godwin’s look was filled with resentment and jealousy as he studied Kenton and my grandfather.  It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see that he wasn’t happy that someone who held a position too low to rightly be in the company of the fairy king had won his favor.

“Your home looks lovely,” I finally said.

Godwin looked at me as if seeing me for the first time and his whole demeanor shifted.  His face lit up into a warm smile and he extended his hand toward me.

“I’d love to show it to you,” he practically cooed. “Why don’t you put the horses in the stable and stay for a light lunch.” He shaded his eyes with his hand as he looked up into the sky. “The sun will be too hot for Kenton very soon, anyway.  Stay for a bit and then you can ride in comfort.”

I wasn’t eager for the strained atmosphere that I knew would be a part of our visit, but I had to admit that I was curious to see the house that belonged to a four hundred year fairy,  turned vampire hybrid.  After seeing Kenton’s home, I could just imagine the treasures that waited within.

I was a little taken aback when Godwin called for his stable hand to tend to our horses.  I’d expected to do that chore myself.   I was impressed with the way the middle aged man handled Maximillian and Roger.  His obvious lack of fear made me ashamed of my own reaction.  I was glad that I’d kept my feelings hidden behind a false bravado.  When he got to Peter, he smiled affectionately at the horse while he whispered complementary words in honor of his pleasant temperament and easy demeanor.  I quickly noted that the  groom may be able to handle the high strung horses, but he appreciated the ones that were docile and amiable.

I could tell right away as we entered a terrarium room that, like Kenton’s home, the interior of the house was far larger than the exterior made it appear.   We took our seats at two of the six bistro tables that were strategically placed around the room as Godwin rang a bell on the wall.  Within seconds, a butler appeared.  I did my best not to ogle the butler as Godwin ordered beer and sandwiches for our lunch break.   I’d never been in a home that had any type of hired help other than the weekly housekeeper that visited my friend in Chicago’s house on cleaning day.   I hadn’t seen signs of this type of help at Kenton’s house, but, then, we were there in the wee hours of the morning and the circumstances for being there were far different.

“I’m so glad to finally get you here,” Godwin said in a soft sweet voice as he reached across the table top and took my hand in his.  His thumb played with my engagement ring as he added, “This will all be yours one day, my love.  I hope you like it.”

“From what I have seen so far, it’s lovely.  Although,” I added, hesitantly, “it’s a bit overwhelming.”

“Overwhelming?” he said in a tone that made me wonder if I’d hurt his feelings.  I quickly rushed to remedy my fopa. “In a good way.  I’ve never been in a home that employed a butler.”

He chuckled and said in a sly teasing tone,  “That’s because you’ve had me waiting on you hand and foot.”

I leaned forward and whispered, while grinning mischievously, “And that better not change once we’re married.”

He placed his hand over his heart and said with the utmost sincerity, “I can deny you nothing.  You must know that by now.”

I nodded as I looked in the direction of my grandfather.  Did he activate his excellent fairy hearing to eavesdrop on what was becoming a very intimate conversation between lovers?  From the look on his face as he accepted an oversized stein of cold beer from Godwin’s butler, I guessed that he had and I guessed that he was.  The dark scowl on Kenton’s face led me to believe that his ears were also treading where they didn’t belong as he didn’t wait for the butler to offer him a stein of beer and helped himself to one of the steins from the butler’s tray.

 “Why haven’t you brought me here before now?”  I said in an effort to lighten the romance in our conversation.

“We’ve had days that were so full of fairy lessons that there seemed time for nothing else,” he said with earnest.

He was right on that point.  We’d spent our days focused on my lessons.  Godwin was a dedicated teacher, if nothing else.   By the time night came, we were eager to slip into bed and make love.  Realizing this made me feel much better about not having been invited to his home before and I chastised myself for my insecurities.

“How big is this place?  It doesn’t look nearly as large as it is from the outside,”  I said.

“It’s a magical house,” Godwin explained, “as is Kenton’s.  The outside is deliberately deceiving.  I grew up in this house and have taken it for granted.”  He emitted a light snort.  “Can you believe that I’ve never counted the rooms?  I think there are about one-hundred, give or take.”

“One-hundred rooms?” I gasped with surprise and awe. “And, I thought my house was large.  Why does one man need a house with one-hundred rooms?”

I saw my grandfather grinning to himself, but I decided not to ask him why.   He’d made it clear that he disliked Godwin and I didn’t want to open the door of opportunity for him to make a comment that might belittle or upset my fiancé.  I was sorry that he took an instant disliking to my love, but the fact remained that he’d only reentered my life that morning.  I’d been with Godwin for a few months and had a loving and intimate relationship with him.  Ebenezer may have been my grandfather, but Godwin was the man I was going to pledge the rest of my life to.  I owed him some semblance of loyalty.