The Pillars Of The World

her. “ Ari !”
    A golden stallion galloped toward him, cutting him off from the cottage before he could take a step toward the half-open kitchen door.
    Neall took a step forward. The stallion laid his ears back.
    The dark mare nipped his sleeve and pulled him back.
    Wondering how the warding spells would react if he tried to climb in through a window—and wondering if he could get in fast enough to avoid the stallion’s hooves coming down on his back, Neall cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, “Ari!”
    An upstairs window opened. Ari leaned out. A delighted smile lit her face when she saw him. “Neall!
    Wait there. I’ll be right down.”
    “Doesn’t look like I’m going anywhere,” Neall muttered, eyeing the stallion. He felt a flicker of amusement when Ari reached the kitchen door and found herself peering around a golden rump.
    “Move,” Ari said, giving that golden rump a timid smack.

    The stallion kicked the bottom half of the door in response.
    Ari disappeared. A few moments later, she appeared from around the side of the cottage. Before the stallion could charge toward her, she pointed a finger at him, and said sternly, “No matter what you seem to think, I am not one of your mares. I’m his mare.” She frowned. “I didn’t say that right, but you know what I mean.”
    Neall grinned, the relief of seeing her safe and well making him a little silly. “I think you said it just fine.
    And I promise you I have more finesse in certain areas than he does.”
    The stallion snorted.
    Ari dashed over to Neall. “I was taking a look through the linen cupboard upstairs to see what we could use, and—” The light went out of her face when she noticed the dark mare. “What happened to Darcy?
    Is he hurt?”
    Neall put his arm around her, needing the contact. “No, he’s fine. He’s probably mad at me for leaving him, but I wanted—” No, that wasn’t why he’d come. He’d ridden the mare because she was already saddled and handy. But he’d have to take care how he said other things if he didn’t want to end up battering at Ari’s stubborn streak. “I wanted you to see her.”
    Ari held out her hand, palm up. The mare approached, quite willing to be introduced. While Ari and the mare were getting to know each other, Neall kept an eye on the stallion—who seemed to be keeping an eye on him. Then the wind shifted enough for the horse to catch his scent. The stallion suddenly relaxed and trotted off to join his mares.
    “That’s strange,” Neall said quietly.
    “Maybe he senses the Fae in you, and that told him you were all right.” Ari patted the mare’s neck, fingercombed the mane.
    “What difference would that make?” Neall asked—and then knew. The horse’s hooves had made no sound. “He’s a Fae horse.”
    Ari nodded. “Morag ended up with the sun stallion and the mares, so she decided to bring them to Ahern since she can’t keep traveling with a herd of horses following her.”
    Neall leaped at the opening Ari’s words provided. “She showed up at Ahern’s a short while ago. Ari . . .
    You do know who she is, don’t you?”
    Giving the mare a final pat, Ari turned to face him. “Yes, I know. And while she’s a guest in my house, I expect her to be treated with courtesy, Neall.” She looked away. “I know what it’s like to feel unwelcome.”
    There was nothing he could say that wouldn’t make Ari defensive.
    “All right,” Neall said. “Since I’m here, is there anything I can help you with?”
    Before Ari could answer, the dark mare pricked her ears and whinnied a greeting.
    Neall tensed, turned to face whoever was coming.
    Ahern and Morag rode around the cottage. When the Gatherer looked at him, her dark eyes were filled with too much understanding.

    Ari’s right. I doubt she ever feels welcome.
    “Blessings of the day to you, Ahern,” Ari said. She smiled at Morag. “I see you found him.”
    Morag returned the smile. “Yes, I found him.”
    When they dismounted, Ahern studied the sun stallion, who was nervously pawing the ground as he watched them.
    “He’s a fine one,” Ahern said. “So are the mares.” His gaze swung to the wounded mare, grazing by herself. He winced.
    “She’s better than she was,” Ari said hurriedly. “I think she’ll heal.”
    Ahern nodded, but Neall didn’t think the movement was expressing assurance or confirmation of Ari’s opinion.
    “Will you take them back to your farm?” Ari asked.
    The sun