Page 16 of The Other Side

As Fi swung it open, Rogue ran at it.

“Be careful!” Fi told him.

Osian let Rogue run, only checking his pace when there was reason to. One hand rested against the horse’s neck as he reached for his magic, slowing his own heartbeat until it settled into a deep, steady rhythm. He let Rogue feel every beat through the warmth of his palm.

“There is nothing here that can hurt you. I know this land. I know every stone. I know the wind’s name. I am the safest thing in these hills, big lad. And you are with me.”

Rogue’s ears tipped forward. The hard trembling beneath Osian’s palm eased, each breath coming a little deeper than the last. Slowly, carefully, Rogue yielded the choice of pace to Osian.

“Not surrender,” Osian said softly. “A contract. You trust me to keep you safe, and I promise I will. No one will hurt you. Fi is good. She is kind. So is Will.”

When they reached the crest of the ridge, the wind struck them full force, roaring up from the valley hard enough to steal Osian’s breath. Rogue flinched, muscles bunching beneath him, ready to flee.

Osian simply folded himself closer, resting his chest against the stallion’s neck. His heartbeat never changed.

Easy.

The word wasn’t spoken. It flowed through the magic between them, carried on breath and pulse alike. Rogue hesitated. The wind screamed around them. Then the horse exhaled, long and slow, lowering his head by a fraction. His stride lengthened again. Together, they crossed the ridge as though the land was theirs.

By the time they returned to the stable, Rogue walked with loose shoulders and an easy swing to his gait. To anyone watching, he looked transformed: quiet, obedient, almost gentle. Osian knew better. Trust wasn’t a switch to be flipped. Fear never vanished because of one good ride. Tomorrow there might be another shadow, another gust of wind, a leaf, a crisp packet, a memory that set Rogue’s heart racing.

But today, when fear had come, he had looked for Osian instead of running from him. That was everything.

Will was waiting outside the stable with a brush tucked beneath one arm, an apple in one hand. He blinked as Rogue halted without dancing sideways or pinning his ears.

“What did you do? Drug him?”

Osian slid lightly from the saddle, smiling as Rogue turned his head to bump his shoulder.

“I listened.”

Will snorted. “That’s it?”

“That’s rarely ‘it.’” Osian loosened the girth with slow, practised hands. “People think frightened horses need to be convinced they’re brave. They don’t. They need proof that someone else will be brave first.”

“I brought him an apple.” Will held it out to Osian.

“You give it to him when his mouth’s empty.” Osian removed all but the leading rein. “But get him to retreat a step and put it on the floor. Show him who’s in charge.”

Will did as Osian had said and Rogue snaffled up the treat.

“Eventually…” Osian scratched the white star between the horse’s eyes, “…they decide they don’t have to carry the fear alone.”

Rogue sighed, a deep, rumbling breath that seemed to empty every corner of his lungs.

Osian smiled to himself. The contract had begun.

“Think I can ever ride him?” Will asked.

“Yes. Apples appear to be the way to his heart.”

“If only love could be so easily won,” Will said quietly.

Oh Will, don’t love me! I can never be yours. If he asked Will to order the items Belem wanted from Amazon, maybe Will would give up. But Osian couldn’t bring himself to do it. Not yet.

Chapter Four

As he walked into The Whistler, Osian smiled right back at Bryan’s glare. The others, thankfully, were delighted to see him, including Bill the landlord. The band finished the song they were playing, then got up to pat him on the back. Will waved. Bryan scowled. Osian took out his violin and tuned up. Bryan launched into Swallowtail Jig before Osian was ready. Dick. By the time Osian joined in, half the pub was already stamping their feet. Paul held down the rhythm on guitar, Will thrummed the bodhrán, Elsa picked away at the mandolin, and Bryan, like Osian, played the violin.