Chapter Fifteen #2
When my eyes land on him, he’s already looking at me with a soft expression. He reaches for me, his tail as usual wrapping around my thigh as he lets the guys move ahead slightly as he tucks me under his arm and kisses the top of my head.
“It’s still you and me forever, Darlin’. Nothing will change between us even when you choose to add more into your life.”
His words reassure me and yet confuse me all at the same time, but before I can question him, we reach the armoury, and I move off to the side as they all add their weapons.
It confuses me for a second when Killian picks out a few, too, until I remember that I pretty much kidnapped him to bring him here, and he hasn’t gone back yet.
I can guarantee that he still has more weapons on him than most people would, but he also has a habit of acquiring weapons from other places too.
So I’m reasonably certain he’s just adding to his collection now, and the school will never see the weapons he chooses again.
It takes no time at all for them to gather the weapons they want, and I follow them as they take the lead through a side door in the castle and across the gardens towards the stables.
I have a feeling I’m going to regret not coming to see Revel sooner.
“What the fuck is that?” Loki asks as we get near enough to the stables to hear the racket one of them is making. Snorting, whinnying, stomping, and from the sounds of it kicking something and winding the other horses up at the same time.
I have a sneaking suspicion that this might be down to Revel, but I’m holding out hope he’s behaved until I get confirmation he hasn’t.
We get to the door of the stables and are met by a harried looking stable hand.
“What’s going on?” Storm asks.
“One of the horses that arrived a few days ago is kicking up a fuss. No one can get near him, he’s bitten several people, and even our Fae stable hands that have gifts with horses can’t get near him,” he explains over the racket.
“He’s been like this since he arrived, and it’s starting to drive us all mad now,” he adds, leading us further into the stables where the noise gets louder, the other horses joining in.
“We wanted to move him away from the others, but he’s too dangerous. ”
“Fucking hell, he’s proper going for it,” Rival says, shocked as the angry noises continue.
“For fuck sake,” I mutter, earning a questioning look from Reaper and Killian. “Cover your ears.”
Surprisingly they listen to me, and both put their hands over their ears.
Loki sees them, looks at me and instantly does the same without question, making me smirk.
I raise my fingers to my lips and whistle shrilly, walking forward and towards the stall at the end where the noise is coming from and where I am absolutely certain Revel is housed and being a bugger.
Storm whips around to chastise me before he realises that everything’s gone quiet.
I smirk, “Alright, you big baby, I’m here now. Stop with the damn racket.”
All I get in return in the now silent stables is a snort which brings a smile to my face. I ignore everyone as I get to his stall and reach out to unlatch the door.
“Erm, miss, I don’t know how you got him to settle, but I wouldn’t let him out if I were you,” the stable hand warns, a nervous edge to his voice.
“Don’t worry. He won’t hurt anyone now. He’s pissed at me,” I chuckle.
“You don’t seem as concerned as you should be considering what he’s just told us about that horse,” Storm comments with a raised eyebrow.
“That’s because I’m not,” my answer is simple as Revel, clearly having had enough of waiting for me to open the door, kicks it again, and I rush to unlatch it, so he doesn’t break the damn thing.
The others stay as far back as they can as my giant black horse comes barrelling out of the stall and straight for me.
I remain still as he comes for me. Despite all his posturing, he wouldn’t hurt me, and now I’m with him, he won’t hurt anyone else.
He’s a giant softy really, but he’s got a massive personality, and if he’s pissed, then everyone is going to know about it.
“Farren,” Storm warns with an edge to his voice as Revel snaps his sharp pointed teeth in my direction.
I chuckle at his antics, “I missed you too, you grumpy fucker. Do you want to go for a ride?”
He snorts in agreement and then gently nudges my shoulder with his nose. I gently stroke his face in greeting as a sense of utter calm washes through me. He shows me a picture of a rundown shack, holes in the walls, rats in the straw and an empty food bucket.
I burst out laughing, shocking the guys who still haven’t gotten their own horses ready, “I know for a fact that’s not true, you cheeky fucker. They’ve been looking after you well even though you’ve been an arse.”
“You can communicate with him?” Mayhem asks, curiosity infusing his voice. He takes a step closer, and Revel whips his head in his direction, causing him to pause in his steps.
As I start to answer him, Reaper strides past, utterly unconcerned as he approaches Revel, and before I can warn him to behave himself since they’re my friends, not foe, he’s nudging Reaper’s arm with his head and completely ignoring me. My mouth drops open as I stare, and Reaper chuckles.
“I’ve got a way with animals, and he knows I’m no threat to you,” he replies simply.
“It’s a part of his nature,” Loki adds, finally moving into another stall that I’m assuming is housing his horse.
The others are all doing the same, apart from Mayhem, who is still waiting for an answer.
“Erm, sorry that threw me off. Yeah, I can communicate with him, just in feelings and sometimes pictures. He tried to make out they mistreated him in here, but he’s a shit liar,” I chuckle.
“That’s fascinating. I’d love to hear more about how that works,” he starts excitement thrumming through his tone as his eyes light up at the prospect of more knowledge.
“Not now, mate. We’ve got to get going. We’ve already wasted enough time,” Storm interrupts firmly.
The look of disappointment on his face has me saying, “I’ll answer all questions when we’ve set off. We should have plenty of time.”
“Great, thanks, Farren,” he replies exuberantly as he moves to get his horse.
I quickly tack up Revel, who only gives me a little bit of shit while I do it and then look around, trying to find the stable hand that brought us in here. I spot him standing not too far away, watching Revel and me warily.
“I’m so sorry he was a pain. I promise he’ll behave himself now,” I start. When he still looks wary, I turn to Revel and give him a stern look, “Won’t you?”
I swear if he could roll his eyes, he would, but instead, he dips his head in his version of a nod.
“Wow, okay, I’ll take your word for it, but if he gives me any more shit, you’ll have to feed him.”
“That’s fair.”
I swing up easily onto Revel and then walk him to the door to wait for the others who are running behind, thanks to the show that Revel put on. He stands reasonably calmly as we wait, which is a miracle in itself.