Page 12 of Sweetling
Bellarand picked up his head with a huff and shook his long mane of silky black hair. Princess Isolde gasped and sighed with appreciation, which earned her a series of pleased head bobs.
I like this one very much,declared Bellarand through their bond.
You like all females.
They appreciate a fine form and shiny coat.
Allarion resisted rolling his eyes—an entirely human gesture Ravenna had picked up as a youth and passed along to him.
“May I formally introduce the stallion Bellarand the Black, Your Grace. Son of Buecella the Bold, grand-foal of Vortigern the Unmerciful, and dread-mount of the northern reach. He is pleased to meet you.”
Bellarand made a show of dipping into a bow, extending his foreleg and bowing his long head.
This one’s a princess of two-leggeds?
Yes, so behave yourself.
That earned Allarion an irritated ear flick, but if Princess Isolde suspected the volleying between rider and mount, she didn’t let on.
“You have honored the people of the Darrowlands by coming to their heiress’s wedding. All I heard was utter delight amongst the crowd when your name was announced.”
Princess Isolde smiled fondly, though there was a bright sharpness to her eyes when she turned to consider him.
“My mother has grown quite fond of Lady Aislinn through their correspondence. It was nasty business, that uprising by her brother, and my mother wanted to show her support, even if she couldn’t be here herself.”
“Do you often travel through Eirea, Your Grace?”
“No, never.” Her eyes lit up with delight. “This is my first time outside of Gleanná.”
“Ah, I see. A grand adventure, then.”
“Not so grand. Dundúran isn’t terribly far.”
“Perhaps not, but it doesn’t take going far from home to have a grand adventure.”
The princess smiled wryly. “I suppose not. And I do quite like it here. There are so many interesting things to see and people to talk to.” That gaze focused on him again, and Allarion recognized a clever being far older than her years assessing him. “I would’ve traveled much farther to see a fae and his unicorn.”
“I’m glad we could make your journey worthwhile, Your Grace.”
“A lone fae—I’m not sure anyone’s ever heard of such a thing.”
Allarion grinned politely, which just made her guards shudder. “My reasons were quite extraordinary, I assure you. But you need not fear, they have no chance of following me here.”
“How mysterious. I hope you will tell me someday.”
“Perhaps, princess.” He considered her a moment before asking, “Did your mother send you to show her support and perhaps to see these otherlies coming to the Darrowlands?”
“No, but my father did.” Another wry grin. “He’s fascinated by your arrival. Half-orcs could be expected, I suppose, since they are half-human, too. Even the harpies make some sense, as they never truly left the human kingdoms, just stayed in the fjords of Caledon. But a dragon? A fae? He’s understandably curious.”
“I see. Well, I hope you will have a long letter to write him with all your news.”
“Very long.” She turned her smile back to Bellarand. “I’ll have to spend a whole page on such a beautiful creature.”
Bellarand preened, tossing his glossy mane.
Yes, I like her very much.
You are entirely too susceptible to flattery.
