Side by side now, stride for stride, they came to the finish line so close it was hard to tell if either one would win. Their hooves hit in unison. One. Two. Three. Four. One. Two. Three. Four. Each beat of the stride a pounding in my heart. “Please,” I willed, sending the last of my strength. “For me.”
Time grew still. A breath drawn and held filled the space between us all. The crows cawed again. She made demands. She asked for no quarter and gave none in return. And I released myself, fading from existence as I stepped once more into the realms of the gods.
“Ettie?” Kel’s panicked voice filled my ears.
“Believe,” I said with my last human breath. My form shimmered, twisted into motes of light and magic that swirled to the sky. Clothes fell to the ground, surrounding a single pair of boots. I lifted myself to the realm of the gods where she waited, where the Morrigan met me with a hug and nod. One stride and then two. With a dip of her head and a surge of speed, Lady passed the finish line just ahead of the stallion.
We won. And yet, below me the sobs of Kel and the tears glistening like crystal on Flora’s cheeks told me that to them, we’d lost. Hardly, my ladies. Hardly at all. I breathed a sigh of relief and allowed myself to float home.
Chapter 12
One month later…
The full moon cast a glow over the mare pasture where Lady grazed. Dewdrops sparkled on the grass. The soft sounds of horse nickers filled the air and I breathed in the aroma of freshly cut hay. Limb by limb I materialized, pulling myself out of the realm of the gods as soon as I had strength to find my human form once more in this field. Legend claimed I’d been borne from a mare. They weren’t far wrong.
A warm muzzle brushed the top of my head and lips reached for my hair. I leaned into the big form, instantly recognizing Lady’s energy. I reached my hand along the neck, letting my palm flatten against the sleek coat. A magical check of her energy revealed she’d come through the race with no ill effects and she’d been resting since my disappearance.
I stood, wobbly on my new legs like a filly. One step, then two as the night breeze chilled my naked body. I touched Lady’s back, ran my hands along the slope of her shoulder and the rise of her neck, delighting in the tactile sensation. I breathed air redolent with a freshly made pile of horse manure and smiled. I was home.
I strode to the gate, growing stronger with each step. My help remained sleeping in their beds, safe guards placed on the farm in case of such an event. A light shone from my office in the barn, the energy signature matching Kel, no doubt bent over paperwork and the computer to determine which moves to make next. The documents I’d left had put her in charge, Betsy a close second.
I kept to shadows, though my pale skin glowed in the moonlight I reached the back door, entered and then disarmed the alarm that I noticed had been set in my absence. The scent of dust and disuse filled the house. Tomorrow I’d open the windows and air the place out. Upstairs, I dressed in a pair of sweats and pulled on comfy socks and sneakers, then I went to the barn.
Kel leaned against the desk, her head in her hands. Grief surrounded her. I strode in, the horses nickering at my arrival. They remembered and they recognized me. I rested my hand against the office door, then knocked lightly so as not to startle her.
“Come in,” Kel said, exhaustion filling her voice.
I opened the door. “Thank you for keeping the light on.” I stepped inside the office and closed the door behind me.
“Ettie?” Kel raised her gaze from the desk. Tears shone in her eyes. “You’re back. Flora said not to worry, but…” She choked back a sob and burst to her feet, rounding the desk and enfolding me in a hug so tight I feared I may not be able to breathe.
I didn’t mind. Not when it meant I was home and in my barn where my horses had been kept safe.
She pressed her head against my shoulder and her tears dampened my shirt. “I did the best I could. Made the entries you wanted. Made excuses when people asked where you were. I hope I did okay.”
I cupped the side of her face and gently stroked her hair. “I’m sure you were great. I’ll take a look in the morning. I just got back. How are you? Do you need anything?”
“I’m fine now.” She laughed and released me. “I’m good. Thank you. At first I didn’t know what to do when you put me in charge, but Betsy and I worked together and Brie helped. She’d make a hell of a trainer if she ever decides not to be a jockey.” She stepped back toward the desk, then stopped. “I should let you sit there now.”
“It’s okay. If you don’t have any immediate needs I’m going to the house to rest. Coming back always takes a toll on me. I need a status update on Cameron’s company and Dean and ….” I shook my head because it all seemed like too much, too soon. However, Flora would find me in the morning. “It can wait. I’m sure I’ll see Flora tomorrow.”
“She mentioned stopping by.”
“Okay, then. Have a good evening. Don’t work too hard.” I waved and turned for the door.
“Ettie, I’m glad you’re back.”
“Me too, Kel. Me too.”
The next morning I grabbed my coffee and made it
