Shadows and Light

fine garb.
    “No,” Aiden said. “I won’t wear that. Not here.”
    Knowing her emotions were too raw and anything she said would be regretted later, she just glared at him. “You need a shirt.”
    “No, I don’t.”
    There was a hint of pleading in his voice that almost broke her heart.
    “Let’s ride, Lyrra.” Aiden closed his eyes for a moment. “Let’s just ride.”
    Where? But she didn’t ask. She mounted the mare and waited for him to mount behind her.
    Falco handed her the packhorse’s lead rope. “You’re going to try the other bridge?” he asked worriedly.
    “No,” Aiden said. “We’re taking the shining road back to Sylvalan.”
    She couldn’t see how that was going to help them, but she didn’t argue. She smiled at Falco, hoping to convey some of her gratitude for his friendship and help. “Blessings of the day to you, Falco,” she said softly.
    “And to you, Lyrra. Aiden.” Falco stepped back.
    Suddenly aware of the Fae who were watching from the terraces on this side of the Clan house, Lyrra sat up straight in the saddle. “Be careful, Falco,” she whispered.
    She guided the horses around the fountain, keeping them to a walk until they were past the grounds of the Clan house and she saw the stones that marked the shining road. She urged the horses to a canter, tried to prepare herself for any reluctance they might have after being terrified on the bridge. But both horses pricked their ears and increased their speed, as if the safety and reassurance they wanted was at the other end of the road.
    Maybe it is , Lyrra thought.
    She heard Aiden’s soft moan as they reached the shining road. She felt him shudder and press his head against her shoulder.
    With her mouth pressed in a grim line, she kept the horses in the center of the shining road.
    Not much longer, Aiden, love, she thought. And once they returned to the human world? Then what?
    She couldn’t answer that. Didn’t want to think about it. Right now, she needed to find some help for Aiden.
    When they reached the end of the shining road, Lyrra tried to rein in the mare, but the animal fought the bit, swerving toward a wide game trail. Not in the mood to argue with a horse, Lyrra let the mare canter along the trail and wondered if the animal had any sense of where it was going.
    Apparently it did. A few minutes later, they reached the green lawn and gardens behind the manor house.
    Lyrra caught a glimpse of Keely and Breanna working in the garden before the mare swerved again, heading straight for the stable block.
    Seeing them, Clay left the horse he was grooming and walked toward them quickly.
    “Easy now,” Clay called. “Go easy now.”
    The mare and packhorse slowed to a walk, blowing and sweating.
    Clay held his hands out, palms up.
    The horses walked right to him, lipped his empty palms.
    “Looks like you’ve had a bit of trouble,” Clay said.
    “Yes,” Lyrra replied. She felt Aiden shudder, felt that shudder travel from his body into hers.
    “Lyrra. Aiden.” Breanna approached from the side, sounding a little breathless as she slowed to a walk to avoid startling the horses. “What’s—? Oh, Mother’s mercy. Come on now. Come on. We’ll get him into the house.”
    Clay took the lead rope from Lyrra. “I’ll take care of the packhorse. Breanna, you lead the mare to the house; then let her go to come back to the stables.”
    Breanna gripped the reins just under the bit and led the reluctant mare to the house. Nuala and Keely waited at the kitchen door.
    Breathing heavily, Aiden dismounted. Nuala and Keely helped him into the house.
    Lyrra dismounted, then grabbed the saddle, her legs suddenly feeling as if she had no bone in them. “Clay has a way with horses.”

    “A gift from his father, which was the only thing his father ever gave him,” Breanna replied with enough of an edge that Lyrra flinched. “Mother’s tits. That wasn’t a thrust at you.” She released the mare and wrapped an arm around Lyrra’s waist when the horse trotted back to the stables. “Where’s Aiden’s horse?”
    Tears filled Lyrra’s eyes, spilled over. “Gone.”
    “Here, now.” Breanna led Lyrra to the bench beside the kitchen door. “Sit down and rest. There now.
    There you go.”
    Shaking, Lyrra sank down on the bench.
    “Are you hurt?” Breanna asked, resting a hand on Lyrra’s shoulder.
    Lyrra shook her head. Her body wasn’t hurt, but her heart... She was certain her heart was sorely