Page 56 of Wicked

The dog walks over, and I’m suddenly worried he does not have a home. As he comes close, we take each other in. He has one white eye patch, one white sock, and gentle energy. The rest of him is jet black, and I scratch his chin. “I’m Raven, and you really are a beautiful boy.”

I check the collar around his neck, and the tag notes Tito. No contact details. No owner details.

“Hey, Tito.” Something tells me I need to spend more time with him, but today, I’m on a mission. “A storm’s coming, Tito. Find somewhere dry and warm, okay?”

I mount and ride, but something inside me is not happy about leaving Tito. Tomorrow, I will find him, and I will ask Maria who he is.

The winds build as I trot on, and I keep my body low. As I ride through the swirling air and leaves, I take an alternate path to avoid the main road. After finding the store in the small coastal town, I tie Olive to a tree across the road.

Nervously, I enter the costume store, and after twenty minutes, I leave with a black fairy costume for me and a black Zorro one for Dante.

The large wings for my costume will get damaged in my bag, so I pull them on. From a small store two doors along, I get a mix of pastries, and a bottle of good Italian wine.

After tying the bag on the back of the saddle, I put the wine in the saddle bag, pat Olive, and mount.

I mutter a few words to calm my nerves, and I trot through the trees, nervous and excited.

The wind increases, but finally, I reach our small village. I cut across the road and trot down to the beach. As I ride towards the castle, I grin. My heart pounds and my wings bounce. This might actually be it, and if it is, I will be claimed by a masked brute in a castle on a cliff in a storm, maybe even against a wall.

As I grin like a fool, I imagine it. I then imagine him pulling my hair.

After some tragic dates, I’m desperate for someone talented to take charge and show me the way.

The beach windsgrow in power, and they blow hard to my side. As I grit my teeth, my eyes water. My wings shake, but they are strong like me.

I pat Olive, adjust my pack and grit my teeth. As we start to canter, sand flicks up and lightning crackles on the horizon. Suddenly raindrops fall, and I yell loudly, “You have got to be kidding!”

We charge through the rain fast and then up a field and into the trees. Ahead, I will have to jump a fence or stop and open it. “Screw it,” I huff, my jaw tense.

Olive and I race for the stone wall and fence, then we sail over it and land hard. As we push on, I’m now wet but focused.

Dante better be good, and he better be able to claim me properly.

The danger and drama pumps me for what lays ahead, and the beast between my legs heaves as we thunder over the wet ground.

We ride faster and harder, charging through the rain and leaves between the trees.

I drop lower onto Olive’s wet mane as the storm kicks in. I hold on for my life, and I decide here and now, nothing in the universe will stop me!

I will have sex, even if it kills me.

As I charge up to the Tuscan castle, leaves swirl and lightning arcs above. I vault down to the ground, and the main castle doors suddenly swing wide open.

Dante stands in front of me, his long white shirt open and flapping in the wind.

He pulls me straight into the main castle door, and he seizes Olive’s reins. As I stagger into the dry lobby area, he yanks Olive inside too.

Dante spins the wet horse in the grand lobby, and he slams the large doors closed, as if it’s nothing. I’m wet and shivering as the horse snorts, confused.

As Dante takes my day pack off me, he places it on a large oak side table. He then turns to me, and he wipes water from my red cheeks with his hands. “Now, remove your top.”

“What?”

“You’re wet.”

I gulp, and he helps me remove the wings. Dante places them on a suit of armor next to us, and I double blink at the image. A medieval knight with wings.

My white t-shirt and black bra are wet, and Dante turns with a towel. “Off.”

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