“Yes. I did so because while riding, I may become separated from my groom or escort and so wanted to be sure I could depend upon my mount.”
Marcus strode up to her. “Do you do that with only Zephyrus?”
She unlocked her hand and added a second finger to her palm before closing it again. “Of course. It was the only protective command I could get him to agree to. Now Atalanta, I taught her to run a person down while Xeres will throw things on command.”
“Throw things?” Both men asked the question at the same time.
She grinned, thoroughly enjoying herself. “Why yes, though I cannot take credit for that particular talent. Xeres would do it all the time. I simply trained him to only do it when I give him the command. I command it every time we ride or I fear he’ll revert to doing it all the time.”
Marcus recovered first. “What kinds of things does he throw?”
She let go of her hand and waved in the air. “Oh, anything. Something on the wall of the stall, a branch on the ground, or one time, he lifted my hat right off my head while I stood next to him and threw that aside.”
The two men looked at each other in disbelief.
She slapped her hands on her hips. “It’s true.”
When they looked at her but didn’t say anything, she threw her hands up in the air and turned her back on them. Fine. If they didn’t want to believe her, it didn’t matter. She stalked forward, happy to leave them behind.
Tiernan quickly strode past her. “We just had a new foal. Would you like to see her?”
Still in a pique, but not willing to miss seeing the baby, she nodded and followed him to yet another section of the building.
Marcus fell into step next to her, but didn’t say anything, which was fine with her. As they reached the large stall, she stepped to the rail, not worried about interfering in any training. A piebald mare stood in front of her, but she could see the legs of the little one behind her. “You’re a wonderful mama to be so protective. I’m quite proud of you for bringing your little one into this world. Is she pretty?” She stared into the mare’s eyes as she softly spoke.
The mare turned her head to nose her baby then moved around her as if to show her off. Mariel’s heart beat a staccato in her chest at the precious piebald-colored baby, a tiny replica of its mom. It shook its head before nuzzling its mom for milk.
She could feel an itch behind her eyes as she watched the mare feed her little one. If she had any thoughts about breeding horses, they vanished. She could never do it without losing her heart every time there was a successful birth. The pain it brought her would be far too much.
Marcus’ hands clasped her shoulders from behind. “She knows you mean them no harm.”
She gave a short nod, her throat too tight to speak. Slowly, she turned away from the scene, dislodging Marcus’ hands as she moved back the way they had come to compose herself.
“I can show you the training areas and the offices if you like?”
She didn’t turn at Tiernan’s words, nor did she respond.
“I believe we’ve seen enough for today.” Marcus must have sensed her retreat. “I thank you for explaining so much. I’m sure we will be back, if your father would find that acceptable.”
“Oh, yes sir. I know he will be sorry he missed your visit today. May I show you out?”
Marcus came to stand next to her and placed her hand on his arm. “No, we’ve kept you long enough from your work. Please give your father my regards.”
“Yes, sir. It was a pleasure seeing you again Lady Mariel.”
She turned with a smile on her face, happy to have someone else to focus on. “I enjoyed your explanation very much. You have grown into a very knowledgeable man.”
Tiernan looked down as a blush crept up his face. “Thank ye, me lady.”
Marcus whispered in her ear. “Come, before the young man develops feelings for you.”
She snapped her head around ready to disabuse him of any such notion, but the twinkle in his eyes made it clear he teased. She relaxed and allowed him to lead her forward, back the way they had come.
She kept her voice low. “It is a sad truth that I have attracted many a lad who to this day longs for just a look or word from me. I’m like the pied piper of Germany.” She waved her free hand. “Only without those nasty rats.”
Marcus laughed.
The sound pleased her down to her toes. It wasn’t quite as loud and exuberant as when he was younger, but it filled her with happiness.
