~aemaea

I'm standing in the stables. Book Two, Volume One...probably. I don't know, I haven't written it yet. I'm in a long-sleeved black shirt and my favourite jeans. Well, second favourite, my real-favourites ripped over winter. Llamei seems peaceful as I stroke her mane. Fingers sliding through the black hair, freeing the occasional knot as I stand, smiling to myself. I rest my hand on her back. She's so beautiful. Vitani isn't here. Aemaea must have taken her out with the little one.

"Hello, stranger," a voice says behind me. I already know that it's come from smiling lips. I lean on the horse and glance over my shoulder. Vahro. He's looking a bit older, wiser, happier. I return his smile as he wanders over to my side. "Haven't seen you in a while, sweetheart," he says, clapping Llamei's side.

"Been a bit busy," I tell him, studying his face. The scar is facing me. It's aging nicely. So is he, actually. Looking better all the time.

"Pffft, too busy for me?!" he jokes, ruffling my hair. "Your hair's weird, by the way. You should really get it cut."

"First of all, shut up, you're not real, you can't tell me to cut my hair," I laugh, knocking his hand away. "Second...I've been busy rewriting your bloody life. And how do you thank me?! 'Bleh, your hair's ugly!'"

"Shut up, woman."

"Shut up, man."

The sun is streaming through the slim gaps in the wooden rafters above, striping our faces, making tigers of us both. The scent of horses and hay fills the spacious stables. Llamei nuzzles into my shoulder. I love this horse. I wish she was real.

"She's missed you," Vahro tells me, tying his hair back roughly as he speaks.

"I see her everyday," I smile, stroking her snout. Velvet hairs under my fingers.

"Lucky for some." He threads his thumbs under the leather belt hanging round his waist. Still as toned and muscled as ever, I can see. Family life suits him well. "So, you here for a cry or a gloat?" I turn my head with a grin.

"A gloat," I tell him, kissing Llamei's head. She smells of yesterday's rain.

"Ha! Makes a change." His arms fold across his chest and he smiles widely at me.

"That it does."

"So, am I hitting the big time, then?" he jokes, boots toying with the sawdust on the floor.

"We should be so lucky! Nah, but in other news, you're getting split up into a serial instead of one big novel."

"Well, we'll see how long that lasts..."

"Shush."

My pocket vibrates and I bring out my phone. Vahro shakes his head.

"Shouldn't bring that here," he tells me with a laugh. "Bloody weird, it is." My face erupts with a grin. The warrior walks to me as I read the message and he wraps his arms round my shoulders. "Bugger off and reply. We'll be here when you decide to return again." He kisses my forehead and I give my hero a hug.

"Thank you," I tell him as I slip my arms out of his.

"You know where to find me," he jests with a roll of his eyes.

He blinks. I'm gone.