Page 97 of Entwined

My tummy flutters.

I always knew there was magic here. I feel it every day, I wake up next to my dark prince who found the light.

I finish tacking up Simone and lead her out of the barn where Will and Ella wait for me. Tucker’s tail wags as he sees me.

I’m so happy.

So completely happy.

Who knew that day I boarded the Oasis in Capri that the wave I would ride would land me here?

My happy ending was waiting for me all along. I just needed to trust that I would find it. That Christos and I could overcome the darkness, the jealousy and what he did to capture me. I’m still his dove. But I’m also his anchor. As much as he’s mine.

Smiling hard, I blink back a few tears and hoist myself up in the saddle.

“Let’s ride!” I giggle, digging my heels into Simone, urging her into a brisk trot. Tucker barks, leading the way. Ella’s pony trots behind me and Will guards the rear. The leaves are starting to turn, smoke spirals from the hunting lodge where the groundskeeper lives.

Autumn in the woods of Exmoor is full of change. It’s timeless. Peaceful. Beautiful.

Simone skirts towards the edge of the woods past the spot where she bolted all those years ago.

“Look!” Ella cries.

I pull the reins, asking Simone to halt. Out of the tree line, the wild herd of ponies break from the forest. They trot over the hill, across the sky chasing the sun as it sets. “I can’t believe they are real! I thought you and Daddy just made up stories about them!”

“No. They’re real sweetheart.”

“Look at that one!” My eyes follow where she’s pointing her tiny index finger. It’s him. The dark one who kept me alive that night, when I fell.

“Can we catch him? I want him to be my pony!”

I urge Simone closer to Ella’s pony. “No, sweetheart. Some things are meant to fly free. Especially that pony.”

“Why Mommy? I don’t understand.”

“Someday you will. Did I ever tell you the story about the Dove and her dark prince?”

“No...?”

“Once upon a time there was a bird who just wanted to fly…but the dark prince was lonely. He had no friends or family. He saw the pretty bird and tricked her into his cage. He broke her heart. But having her near, made him happy…”

I trail off as the ponies gallop across the fields. “Oh, how beautiful, mommy.”

My heart hurts as I stare at my golden child, full of wonder and light. “Yes, how beautiful. Come now. Daddy will be home soon.”

“Will you tell me the rest of the story later? Does the dove ever get to fly free?”

“She does. Every day, but she decided to stay with her prince. And together they both lived happily ever after.”

“I think I’m going to like this story.”

“Come on. Let’s ride home,” I whisper hoarsely. “stay with her for a few minutes Will? Simone and I want to fly!” I dig my heels in, urging her into a canter. My hair whips back, together we fly towards home chasing the sunset with the ponies.

I’m free. Flying across the fields, with the air whipping by. This must be what it feels like to really fly.