“Don’t worry about this—Dad is coming to pick it up tomorrow morning.” I patted the side of the trailer, then walked around to the back end to open it up.
“Did you need to bring it for something?” Eventide scratched at the base of the small goat horns that popped up from the mop of his thick, curly brown hair.
“Oh,yes.” I was practically glowing with smugness. I swung the doors open and hopped inside. It was dark, but I was familiar with the trailer, so I was able to move the necessary bars, click and unclip the right ties, and lead out what I’d brought back.
Eventide clutched the bottom of his vest. “Is that…adonkey?”
Bagel stopped at the end of the trailer to happily hee-haw out to his new abode.
Surprisingly, I heard happy shrieks drift from the direction of the stables—the night mares must have heard him.
“Might I enquire what’s going on?” I heard Skye’s voice, and Bagel and I hopped off the trailer in time to see my steward, companion, and Lord Linus stroll down the front sidewalk.
When they saw my furry friend, they stopped dead.
“You brought adonkeyback with you?” Indigo asked.
“Yep! This is Bagel.” I patted him on the neck, and he peeled back his lips to smile at my friends.
“Why?” Indigo asked.
“Because he’s my pet. I’m queen, I shouldn’t have to go without him.”
I turned to Skye—I’d thought she’d have lots of objections—but she was too busy opening her antacid tin and crunching pills to say anything.
To my surprise, Lord Linus strolled closer then squatted down next to Bagel and started stroking him.
Bagel preened under the attention.
“He’s cute,” Lord Linus said.
“Thanks.”
The screams coming from the direction of the stable were getting louder.
I better take him back there before they break their doors down.
“There should be room for him in the stables.” I tugged on Bagel’s lead rope. “But I still need to tell Dusk and Dawn—”
I jumped, and I heard bitten off curses and startled yelps behind me as a familiar stone archway and gate popped into existence.
Solstice, Eclipse, Nebula, Comet, Twilight, and Blue Moon charged through the gateway, prancing across the perfect lawn.
Bagel bellowed out a greeting—which they enthusiastically returned.
Eventide yipped and scurried backwards as the night mares charged down the driveway, tossing their heads.
Only Lord Linus stayed with me and Bagel as the night mares circled around us, affectionately sniffing and wheezing at us.
Bagel brayed happily as Blue Moon nosed his cheek.
“I can see your night mares love him,” Lord Linus mildly observed.
I was pretty shocked when he nonchalantly reached up and patted Blue Moon’s neck once he stood up.
“Come on, Bagel. Let’s get you over to the stables.”
Bagel hee-hawed. His loud, booming bray echoed across the mansion grounds.
