The top of the southern battlements had been an original part of the Fortress, but in the past centuries, it had been renovated and expanded to become less a defensive position to observe territory and fire arrows from, and more a rooftop garden. When Grammie was the ruling Marchioness, that was what she used it for: growing plants.
On one side, it overlooked an inner courtyard of the original Fortress structure and on the other, the more recent outer courtyards before the newer outer walls. It was still high enough to peer over the outer walls and down into the city, which was currently lit up and celebrating her brother’s wedding.
There were flowerpots and elevated planters with some plants Idunn was growing, but that night, it also had daybeds with cushions, several comfortable chairs, a large hammock, and numerous tables filled with food and drink beneath a large pergola.
Light crystals had been strung across the space and music from the inner courtyard, where the majority of the reception was happening, drifted up to the battlement that Tori personally had decorated to give the relaxed feeling of a summer night bar-be-que with friends. A few crystals to circulate cooled air also hung around the pergola, as Presidio’s summer nights were still quite warm.
Knights were stationed just outside the entrance to the stairwell that led up to the battlement and one could only come up if someone already there came down to personally escort them up. Even then, there was a strict guest list.
Somehow, Fiona still ended up on the southern battlement with red eyes and sniffling as she held Ava’s hand. Ava’s curly hair, while usually wild, had been carefully braided in a lovely Anlar style that morning, but now, it was tousled once again. Her clothes were a bit dirty and loose, and her face was frowning.
“What happened?” Tori carried both of them on to the large daybed with the pillows where she, Ilyana, and Sonia were seated. Sonia wiped their faces with a handkerchief she took from her brother while Ilyana got up to get them some water.
“Some kid downstairs said that Fifi isn’t a real daughter of the family because she’s adopted!” Ava raged at once and one of her fists pounded a pillow.
“Auntie....” Fifi held up her arms and Tori gathered her against her. “They said...they said I’m not Daddy’s real daughter....”
The entire party on the battlement seemed to freeze as they heard the child’s complaints. Tori’s face darkened at once and her voice dropped. “Who said this?”
“I don’t know. Some boy!” Ava scowled.
“Did you tell your Dad?” Ilyana asked as she knelt down on the side of the day bed and handed Ava a cup before bringing another to Fiona.
Fiona shook her head. “I can’t find Daddy....”
“Aiden went to find him,” Ava said as she patted Fiona’s head. “Don’t worry. We don’t let outsiders pick on the family.”
Tori smiled a bit and stroked Ava’s disheveled hair back. “Did you find Aiden to tell him?”
“Aiden found me,” Ava said. “If he hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve hit that kid more!”
Tori stopped in the middle of stroking her hair. “...You hit another child?”
“He picked on my little cousin!” Ava defended herself. “I can’t let him get away with that!”
Fiona nodded. She looked at Tori and tugged at her arm. “It’s okay. Cousin Ava won.” Tori stared at the two little girls. Ava looked proud of this fact.
“You’re going to allow them to beat up another child?” Gideon sounded as if he couldn’t believe it.
“Ava, Fiona, are you sure you don’t know who that child was?” It wasn’t that Tori was afraid they would insult another family, but she wanted to know who exactly said such a hurtful thing to a three-year-old child and then deal with it properly.
Fiona shook her head and Ava snorted and crossed her arms over her chest, turning her head away. She didn’t seem to care who the other child was, as long as they learned a lesson.
“You will find out soon,” Piers said from the hammock. He shifted to the edge and swung his legs down. “If you are upset, sit on the hammock. You can eat here.”
The two little girls climbed off the daybed and Tori helped them get on the hammock as Piers stood to the side and held it steady. They were given some sweets as they swung back and forth.
“You know, Auntie Tori, Cousin Ava is my hero. She stopped the bad kids from making fun of me,” Fiona said.
Ava was looking away, but her face was red. “I didn’t do anything special. I just wanted to remind them that you’re my cousin.”
Fiona giggled and rubbed her face against Ava’s arm. “Cousin Ava is strong!”
Ava seemed to pretend not to care. “Naturally....” Tori sighed and gave them a small bowl of potato chips to eat before calling her brother.
“Are they with you?” Kasen sounded annoyed.
“I take it Aiden found you?”
“I’ve spoken to Count Benicia about his grandson’s actions, and he has sent his grandson and son’s family out,” Kasen told her. “Keep them there, I’ll be upstairs in a moment.”
“All right.” Tori ended the call and looked at the two little girls. Ava was now feeding Fiona chips. At least they’re getting along....
“Children can be cruel,” Henrik said as he shook his head. “But they must’ve learned it from somewhere.”
“Agreed,” Albert said. “Noble and aristocratic children are often exposed to their parents’ prejudices and jealousies. They place a lot of importance on lineage legitimacy. I had hoped that it wouldn’t affect Fifi and Robi, but it looks like the odds were against them.”
“I heard that Lord Kasen is a sought-after bachelor,” JP said from one of the chairs. “I’m sure there are families who didn’t like the idea of him adopting two children.”
“Doesn’t it happen all the time in marches?” Ewan asked as he looked around. He was standing by the side of the battlement and admiring the city’s night view while sipping on a sparkling wine infused fruit slush. “The knights here told me that sometimes soldiers and knights in marches will adopt the orphans of their fallen compatriots.”
“They do, but it’s still fairly rare when a high noble does it,” Axton said from the opposite daybed where he was stretched out with his arms behind his head and his eyes closed. “And Fifi and Robi aren’t war orphans of a fallen comrade, but orphans from Horizon.”
“It shouldn’t matter,” Tori said in a firm voice as she fixed Ava’s hair with her fingers. “If we say they are Gueveras, then they are Gueveras.”
“They’re jealous,” Ava said with cheeks stuffed with chips. “My mom said that a lot of people are jealous of us. It is a burden of our station.”
Tori’s eyes crinkled up. That wasn’t what she’d call it, but she let the child rant. Soon, Kasen arrived, and Fiona called for him to hug her. Kasen picked her up and held her against him, asking if they were hurt and reassuring them that Count Benicia’s grandson would no longer be welcomed in the Fortress.
“Has Robi encountered any unpleasantness?” Tori asked.
Kasen shook his head. “He’s in his room with Maeve and the twins discussing their plans for Viclya for next month.” Tori was relieved. As he was older, Robert had a better understanding of his position and was sensitive to it. She didn’t want someone’s bitter words to put a shadow over him.
“Cousin Kasen, did the boy’s family get mad because I beat him up?” Ava asked as she moved to the edge of the hammock. “He seemed weak, so I didn’t hit him too hard.”
“No, they were very embarrassed and apologetic,” Kasen replied. He paused. “But, Ava, next time if a child says something of the sort to hurt you or your cousins, you should tell an adult.”
“But there were no adults there.” Ava frowned. She clenched her hands. “I took matters into my own hands.”
Tori ran a hand down her face. “You can find out who they are, then seek someone with more power to stop them with a more severe punishment than you can give. Their retribution doesn’t need to be physical. There are other ways to make people regret what they’ve done. Other, more effective ways and you won’t be hurt if they try to fight back.”
Ava nodded and furrowed her brows. “I should’ve thought of that. Uncle Andy says it’s important to wear down the enemy’s head. When their minds are weak, they are easier to destroy.”
“Ava is a smart girl.” Piers gave her a nod of approval before Kasen took the two little girls away.
The battlement was quiet, and several eyes were on Piers and Tori. Henrik squinted. “Did you just tell your cousin and niece to break an enemy’s concentration so they can beat them in battle?”
Tori nodded. “A confused, disoriented, and emotionally and mentally unstable opponent is a weakened opponent.”
“Less manpower is wasted, and collateral damage can be minimized greatly if their lack of focus is leveraged,” Piers added.
“Work smarter, not harder.” Tori saw that the only ones who seemed to nod in agreement were Axton, Ewan, and Fabian.
“It is important to get to know your enemies,” Ilyana said after rubbing her chin.
Sonia sat up straight and glanced at her brother, who seemed to understand her thoughts and nodded. “By the way, did you know that Hart was your aunt’s goddaughter?”
Tori deflated on the daybed. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have been so surprised.” If she had known, she would've been more wary and even expected such a convoluted event. “Mama didn’t know. She doesn’t pay much attention to Auntie Fabiana. I had to ask Auntie Maria. Apparently, Hart’s mother went to the same secondary school in Horizon as Auntie Fabiana.”
“Did they go to a private institution?” Gideon asked. Tori’s aunt was from Presidio and the Harts, including Alessa’s mother, were from Chetterswickshire. That meant that they could not have attended one of the district schools, which were only for locals.
“Lycée du Soleil is not the only secondary school in Horizon that accepts students from other parts of the empire after a test,” Axton said. “Académie d’Horizon is in the Second District.”
Albert furrowed his brows. “Isn’t that the school that also instructs students from other countries? The children of longer-term visiting diplomats and such?”
“It also accepts students who didn’t make it to Lycée du Soleil,” Axton said as he rolled over on his side. “Though, it’s not something they brag about. There are a lot of students who score well, but don’t score high enough to become an academic student at Lycée, but for many, coming to Horizon could offer opportunities, so they apply to Académie.”
“It’s also the secondary school Auntie Fabiana attended,” Tori said. “She applied for Lycée, but she didn’t get in.” It was just one of the many resentments her aunt seemed to have against her mother, as if her aunt’s failure to enter was somehow her mother’s fault.
“Then, Alessa’s mother was classmates with your aunt?” Gideon asked.
Tori let out a heavy breath. “It seems like it. Auntie Maria didn’t ask for many details.”
“But if your aunt is Hart’s godmother, why are we only finding out about this now?” Ilyana asked. “A godparent in Horizon could be priceless for guidance and protection for a non-local student. If it were me, I would’ve reached out to my goddaughter immediately to help her get used to the city.”
Tori let out a small ‘tch’ and sneered. “Auntie Maria said it best. Does Auntie Fabiana seem like the type of woman who would stay in contact with a poor, rural, motherless girl from a derelict barony?”
The silence of the group was telling. They’d heard and seen enough to draw their own conclusions about the character of her aunt.
“I’ve never heard of the Lombardi family,” Albert said. “And my grandmother knows nearly every aristocratic family in the city.”
“The Lombardi family comes from Sur, but the branch in Horizon makes their living as landlords. I don’t think they’re very settled,” Tori said. “That’s why Auntie Fabiana was particularly upset about Auntie Maria selling the Lunar Pavilion to me. The rent she’d get from it would last her two generations and owning a former imperial residence would give her a massive ego boost.”
“All right, but what changed with her and Hart?” JP asked as he leaned back against his chair. “Hart is still poor. Wouldn’t she be afraid that Hart would ask her for money?”
Even Gideon seemed to nod in acknowledgement.
Henrik narrowed his eyes. “But she is now Baroness Hart and the owner of the Golden Cow.”
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Tori heard Ewan and Albert let out small ‘ohs’. Axton sneered. “Suddenly, the estranged goddaughter has a little noble power and owns a famous store. That’s something to brag about.”
“I almost feel pity for Hart,” Sonia said. “Almost.”
Tori furrowed her brows. “I am a bit concerned about how my aunt will try to use Hart. Hart has enough going on as is and I don’t want her distracted when the orphanage still needs educational facilities.”
“Will your aunt try to use her?” She looked up and across the table in the center of the group, where their plates of half-eaten food and glasses were placed. She, and everyone else, looked towards Fabian.
He’d been silent the entire time and he rarely spoke when he was with the group. It was only when he was asked a question directly or talking about sword and training regimens with Ewan that they heard his voice.
“I don’t think my aunt is really capable of using Hart, or anyone, as a chess piece to make significant changes. At most, she’ll be an annoyance,” Tori told him in a dull voice. “Don’t worry so much, von Dorn. Hart will be fine.”
“I’m not worried about her.” His words came out rather quickly and Tori almost didn’t hear him.
“What did you say?” It was JP who sat up straight and narrowed his eyes at Fabian.
“Fabian, is something wrong?” Gideon asked as he looked at his friend. Fabian shook his head and averted his eyes.
“I was only thinking that Hart is not foolish and will not allow her godmother to interfere with her project or studies.”
Everyone else seemed to accept his answer, except Tori. He’d said it so fast, and his words were particular. Still, it wasn’t the place to ask him to clarify his stance. Gideon was there, after all. Tori made a mental note to ask von Dorn in private.
She wasn’t completely convinced that he had rejected Alessa’s invitation to explore the city with her because he had already made plans.
Tori sighed and shook her head. “All right let’s change the topic to something more interesting. Downstairs, I left my brother and Idunn with some games especially for engaged and newly married couples to be played at parties to test how well they know each other. I think these would be fun to sell at Duel for engagement parties and the like. I brought some to try them out.”
“All right, but none of us are engaged or married,” Henrik said.
“We can get into random pairs and see who knows their teammate best. Whoever answers the most questions about their teammate will win a prize-”
“What prize?” Albert perked up.
Tori chuckled and looked smug. “You will be the first to try out the escape room.”
“Escape room?” Gideon.
“I’ll explain in detail later, but it’s a room where you have to solve a puzzle and answer questions to escape. It’s a new activity I’m planning for Duel.”
“Tori’s parents bought her the building on the other side of the exhibition room for her birthday this year,” Henrik said. “They told her when we arrived.”
“They wanted to give us as much time to get it ready as possible,” Tori said. “And of course, I told my business partners.”
Ilyana let out a low, devious giggle. “It’s a fairly large lot. We can have multiple game rooms.”
“I’m still doing the math on whether it’s better to charge by person or by room rental,” Henrik said.
“Okay, let’s forget about that for now,” Tori said, raising her hands. “If you’re not satisfied with the honor of first play, then we can figure something out.” She stood up and walked to a box in the corner, then dragged it to the table. “Clear out the table, but leave the alcohol. Ilyana, get the small cups from under the dessert table.”
Several people worked to clear the table; von Dorn included. Ilyana took out a small tray with several small glasses as tall as her thumb and put it on the table.
“Are these part of the game?” Gideon asked.
“Yes, but first. Everyone picks a teammate you’d know a lot about,” Tori told them. Ilyana gasped and Tori stopped her. “After the second round, Ilyana. I need to guide the game first.”
Ilyana pouted. “Then, I’ll wait until you’ll play.”
“Piers-” Axton and Gideon spoke up at the same time, only to be coldly rejected with a single look.
Gideon turned to Fabian. “Partner?” Fabian nodded. Axton grumbled and seemed to want to ask Ewan, but Ewan had partnered up with Henrik, as they had known each other since they were babies. The final pairs were JP and Sonia, Ewan and Henrik, Gideon and Fabian, and Axton and Albert. Ilyana insisted on waiting for Tori, and Piers was laying on the hammock, ignoring them.
“All right,” Tori said. “I’m going to ask you ten questions each and you are to write your answers for your teammate on this numbered paper. Keep it hidden and don’t show it to each other. When all ten questions are answered, we will go through one by one, and your answer must match up with our teammate’s answer. If you get it right, you get a point.” She pointed to Ilyana who held up a large board with paper pinned to it and an ink pen. “If you don’t get it right, you take a shot. That is, you fill one cup with a drink of choice and drink it all.”
Ilyana gleefully gave a cup to each person playing.
“So, this is a punishment?” Sonia asked, lifting the cup.
Tori nodded. “The more you get wrong, the more you’ll drink, and the drunker you’ll get the more difficult the game.”
Henrik cracked a smile. “Well, that’s challenging.”
“All right! Ready?” Tori asked. The pairs held on to their papers and pencils. “First question! What is their favorite food?”
[https://static.wixstatic.com/media/334114_6091e4325c304c4d9804d3c53f9887d3~mv2.png]
How was it possible that she’d answer so many questions about Piers wrong? She’d answered every single question about Ilyana correctly and was feeling cocky, as she hadn’t yet touched her glass. Then she switched partners and suddenly, it was shot after shot.
Was he doing it on purpose?
She knew his tastes, he knew his habits, but apparently, she did not know that his favorite color was bright blue. He rarely wore blue. It was always some sort of drab, dark color when he was wearing casual clothes, and something with violet when it was related to his role as a prince.
And since when were burritos his favorite food? Granted, her answer of ‘coffee’ was incorrect as many people drank coffee every day, but she could count the number of times he’d eaten burritos on two hands.
In the end, she got rather drunk with her friends and had to be carried back to her room by knights and Kasen, who had come to check on them. Piers wasn’t drunk. He’d answered all her questions and even scored one point higher than Ilyana.
She remembered him accompanying her all the way to her room, only to have Kasen prohibit him from entering. Sir Pizon and Sir Bazan helped her take off her makeup, loosen her hair, and change into her sleep clothes, then as soon as Tori hit her bed, she seemed to be waking up.
Her mouth felt strange, and her eyes hurt from the thin slivers of light coming from between the curtains. She closed her eyes and let out a low groan. It was not her intention to get drunk last night, and she wondered who else got wasted.
Albert and Axton did an even worse job than her, but Axton could hold his liquor better. Albert was already sleeping on one of the day beds when Tori partnered with Piers.
Tori laid in bed and tried to remember what their plans were for the day and if she could get away with sleeping in. They weren’t leaving for the lake until this afternoon. However, she was technically the host of her friends, so it wouldn’t do for her to lay in bed the entire day. Not to mention she’d hardly spent time with them since they arrived since she was practicing.
“Nyaow....” Alexander’s fat paw landed on her face, and she grumbled.
“I don’t bother you when you’re sleeping, Alexander.”
“Nyaow!”
“Fine.” Tori rolled out of bed and got ready to face the rest of the world. It was still somewhat early, and Tori took a moment to add some more notes in a folio she’d started yesterday morning. She was fairly satisfied and when her stomach began to grumble, she walked out of her room with Alexander at her heels. When they reached the dining hall, the only people there were the family elders, Piers, and Fiona, who only got up early to go check on her chickens.
“Good morning, Auntie!” Fiona’s face brightened up. “Good morning, Alexander!”
Alexander went to greet Fiona by brushing his fluffy tail against her leg before going out onto the terrace to eat his breakfast from a ceramic bowl on a silver platter. Even the servant bringing him his food greeted him formally as ‘Master Alexander’.
Tori shook her head and sat down to eat.
“What are your plans for today?” Piers asked. He had been seated further away from her parents and grandparents and other elders and across from him was Fiona with Nanny Rey looming behind her to make sure she didn’t make a mess. Tori sat next to Fiona and kissed her rosy baby cheeks good morning, making her giggle and then give slopping kisses on Tori’s cheek in return.
“We don’t have much planned until we leave for the lake this afternoon. I’m not going to wake the others.” Tori lifted her hand to call over a maid. “Inform the knights and servants assigned to my friends, including the second prince and von Dorn, that they can sleep as long as they want. We won’t leave until well after lunch.”
“Yes, my lady.” A maid bowed her head and rushed off.
“Ewan and Fabian had already been dragged off to do training with Axton,” Piers said.
“Axton doesn’t want to suffer alone,” Tori said with a grin. “Fifi, did Ava stay with you last night? She wasn’t in my room the last two nights.” The night before the wedding, Ava was forced to stay with Maeve so they could get ready together for the wedding in the morning.
“Yes! Cousin Ava is my hero, so I had snacks brought to my room and she showed me how to play with dungeon crawl with my toy farm set.”
...Have I made them like this? Tori’s face scrunched up as the thought crossed her mind. She shook her head. No, it’s the children who are weird.
“Good, you’re already awake!” The figure of her eldest brother looking utterly refreshed, if not far too happy, appeared at the door. Idunn was behind him, yawning a bit, but looking rosy and almost glowing.
Tori smiled and pretended she didn’t know how they likely spent the night before. “Good morning!”
Sebastian and Idunn went around the table greeting others, including Marquess Nordursin, who happily put her hand over Idunn’s belly as she talked. Idunn laughed and turned red, but said she hoped they would have a baby soon, as well.
When the couple got to Tori, Sebastian hugged her tight and nuzzled her head. “My baby sister did such a good job yesterday! We felt the blessing!”
Tori, who was trying to eat, winced. “I’m glad.”
“We have a surprise for you,” Idunn said. “It took a long time for Seb to agree to it, but I think you’ll be pleased.”
Tori’s eyes widened and grew a bit excited. “What is it?”
Idunn chuckled knowingly, but held a finger to her lips.
After breakfast, she and Sebastian took Tori, Fiona, Alexander, and Piers, who followed without being asked, towards one of the plateaus behind the Fortress. It was right next to the stables and as they approached, Tori could feel her heart starting to beat quickly in her chest.
If it took time to convince her brother, then it was likely riding lessons.
She didn’t want to say it for fear of being wrong. They were led out to one of the three corrals on the property. There were about a dozen horses in each corral and Fiona gasped.
“Is Auntie going to get riding lessons?” Fiona gasped. “How lucky! Daddy says I have to wait until I’m bigger!” She puffed out her cheeks and looked at Tori with envy all over her cute little face.
“It’s a bit more than that,” Idunn told her as she stroked Fiona’s hair back. “Your Uncle and I want to give her a horse.”
Tori sucked in a sharp breath. Her hands slammed on the wooden fence, and she looked at her brother and sister-in-law with wide, disbelieving eyes. “If this is a joke, it’s not funny.”
Sebastian shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s not. Idunn says it is extremely useful. Besides, you are much more patient now and I should have confidence that you will take time to learn safely.”
“We also selected the most tame and obedient of the horses we could find. Uncle Rom brought over many from his family’s farm,” Idunn said as she held her arm out towards the corral. “You can have your pick.”
Tori was almost shaking with excitement. A horse of her own...she finally got a horse of her own after the accident. That particular horse had been given away. Uncle Rom’s family, who bred some of the best war horses in Sur, took her. Tori had no strong feelings considering what happened, but she never lost her desire to ride a horse.
It was something she always wanted to do in her original world, as well. And now, not only did this mean she’d get lessons, but she could pick out her own horse.
“I can pick any of them?” she asked. She looked across the corrals. There were many different horses in all colors and patterns. It was a bit overwhelming. “I don’t know who to choose....”
“Go with your intuition,” Sebastian said as he lazily leaned against the fence. Idunn had picked up Fiona and helped Fiona call over a horse to feed a carrot one of the stable hands carried with them. The stable hand gave her a carrot to help her lure over a horse.
Tori drew in her lips. A meow sounded behind her, and she looked down. Alexander lifted his paw and smacked her leg lightly. “What is it?”
“Nyaow!” He turned around and then took a few steps forward. He paused and looked back over his shoulder, meowing even louder. It was his sign to follow him.
Piers tilted his head to the side. “Perhaps Alexander has already chosen a sibling.”
Tori nodded. “He has been all over the Fortress. I wouldn’t be surprised if he found a horse he likes.”
“He is particularly fond of horses,” Piers said. Tori ignored her brother’s quizzical look as she followed Alexander to the furthest corral.
“Tori,” Sebastian called out as he went after them. “These horses are a bit-”
“Yaowl!” Alexander’s low, haunting meow suddenly filled the area. Tori wouldn’t even call it a meow. It was like her cat was summoning something from the depths of the ocean. Alexander sat on top of a fence post, all four of his feet on it as he leaned his head forward and let out another long, loud yowl.
The horses in the last corral seemed to stay clear. Piers frowned a bit. “Alexander, are you scaring them away?”
“Tori, these horses aren’t the friendliest. Their temperaments aren’t as easy as the horses in the other pens.”
“Where are these horses from?” Tori asked her brother as Alexander yowled once more behind them.
“They were brought in by Uncle Rom’s older sister. She’s been training them to be war horses, but they were collected two years ago from the escaped horse herds in the southwest. She’s using this pen, as they’re short on space,” Sebastian told her. “I suggest-”
“Tori.” Piers spoke up next to her and Tori turned her head towards the corral. As Alexander yowled and the group of horses in the pen seemed to gather on the other side, a lone horse made a circle around the herd, dropping her head and snorting before stomping her feathered hooves.
Tori’s eyes dilated as she leaned forward and watched the shiny, black horse trot towards them. Glossy, silky black hair; smooth black coat, shiny black eyes.
The black horse came to a stop in front of the fence post where Alexander was and lowered her head down so that Alexander could bump his head against hers. He let out a quiet meow and then jumped on to the fence to walk to Tori. He looked at the horse and meowed once more with his paw on Tori’s arm.
The black horse chuffed and stood in place for a moment, then took a step forward. With each measured step, the horse seemed to judge Tori from the other side of the fence. Entranced, Tori slowly held out her hand and offered the carrot.
The horse hesitated, sniffed, and then took the carrot from Tori’s hand. Tori was frozen in place, her eyes wide with awe as her heart raced. She thought that horse her brothers got her several years ago was beautiful, but this horse...her intuition called for this horse.
The horse’s hot breath hit her hand and then her nose moved beneath Tori’s hand and lifted it up. The horse then turned to the side and walked so that Tori’s hand was against her neck. She then stood still, waiting. Tori swallowed hard and gently ran her fingers over the thick, muscular neck of the black horse.
“She’s quite young,” one of the stable hands said behind Tori. “Lady Bettencourt captured this one when she was a year or so old.”
“How old is she now?” Piers asked.
“She should be three years old, Your Highness.”
“Three years old...,” Tori said. Her lips pulled into a slight smile. I’ve also been here in this world for three years.
“Nyaow?” Alexander nudged her arm and looked at her with golden eyes.
Tori grinned and moved her hand towards him to pet his head. “Yes, good job, Alexander.” The horse chuffed and moved closer to the fence, turning her head towards Tori, and nudging her arm. “Right, I will pet you, too.”
“Is it possible for Tori to have this one?” Piers asked the stable hand. The man winced and rubbed the back of his neck.
“This horse was not one of those originally selected for my lady....” he said. He looked at Sebastian, whose lips were in a tight line.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes. “Ask Lady Bettencourt.”
“If she has been chosen, then what can I do?” a woman’s voice said behind them. Tori saw a woman with rich olive skin and some gray at her dark temples approach them in riding gear.
“Tori can choose another one-”
“No, young lord, it is the Countess who has been chosen,” Lady Bettencourt told them. Her warm smile turned to Tori. “What do you think of her, my lady?”
“I think she’s the most beautiful horse I’ve ever seen,” Tori said. “And she’s friendly.”
Lady Bettencourt held back a laugh. “This one is young, but controls the herd. She has excellent agility and speed. She is highly intelligent and won’t buck a strange rider. Don’t let her temperament with the other horses scare you.”
Tori shook her head. “What’s her name?”
“We’ve been calling her Boss.”
As soon as she heard the name, the black horse pulled away from Tori and snorted. She trotted a few steps away and stomped the ground, as if in protest.
“I don’t think she likes that name,” Fiona said as she and Idunn caught up to them. “Can Auntie name her something else?”
Lady Bettencourt nodded. “If she wishes.”
Tori tilted her head to the side. She held out her hand and called out the only name that popped into her mind. “Layla!” The black horse’s ears twitched. She took a few steps forward and stopped. “Layla!” Tori called her again and the horse moved forward. “Layla, come here!”
The horse stopped by the side of the fence and Tori reached out and stroked the side of her neck.
“Auntie, I think she likes her name,” Fiona said with wide eyes. Tori beamed.
“Yeah, Fifi, I think so, too.”