Silver Hollow by Jennifer Silverwood Page B

them clever ones.” Still leading her round the side of the barn and towards the corral, he continued, “Special ways ye must play to inside the great house . N ever too carefully can you tread.”
    Amie had to wonder as the house had seemed nothing more than an old ruin, albeit creepy at times. Clouds gathered overhead as though sensing the shift in their moods. It was every bit a part of the Northern English countryside then, a comforting reminder of where she was.
    Slaine was still watching the house on the hill above with a wary eye when he caught her sneaking glance. “Ye might not know it , Jessamiene, but we were all tied to that place once. Solemn vows are not something one can burn away. Some aren’t in the habit of forgiving the breaking of powerful words.”
    “What do you mean?”
    He unhinged the gate with an uncanny grin. “Oh , you’ll know soon enough , Jessamiene, mark me. Meantime, do your best to poke your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
    “But you just said…”
    “Eddie, lad! Miserable bushwickle , get on with you!” Slaine called with a toss of his head.
    Her eyes widened as the redhead led two stubborn , sturdy horses down the slope. “What is that?”
    “Why , I won’t have a Wenderdowne not know how to ride on my watch!” He grinned, one eye slightly more focused than the other.
    Hence the split riding skirt…oh crap , you are such an idiot! That’s why there was a riding hat! Amie shook her head at her inner musings. The only time she’d ridden horses was with a friend down the street in elementary school. If Amie’s father had known at the time he probably would have put her under house arrest.
    Turning to Slaine, Amie said, “Are you sure this is such a good idea? I’m not exactly an expert , you know. I mean, I know I live in Texas, but th at doesn’t mean we all ride horses. What about Uncle Henry? Surely he wouldn’t approve of this.” When she saw the cabb ie ’s grin widen with each of her protests, she knew it was pointless to resist.
    Eddie glanced briefly at her as he passed. Hanging his head and hunching his shoulders, he pulled the giant beasts into the corral. Underhill giggled and called out encouragement after hopping onto the fence and rocking against its post. Even though she still had no definite idea what he looked like, Amie could spot the blush on his fair skin from here.
    He doesn’t like the attention. Can’t say I blame you, buddy.
    Slaine held a proffered fruit before both horses’ noses, waiting until he had her full attention. “First lesson you will learn , Jessamiene Wenderdowne, is these beasts can be gentle or wild as your inner nixy. Observe…” With one swipe of his hands the fruits had disappeared and the eccentric driver’s countenance changed. Dark shadows tainted his features. Untamed fury shook from his every limb, leaving a mad creature in his wake. The horses shifted on unsure feet, then began to buck and toss their heads the more Slaine allowed his rage to fester.
    He growled above the sudden gust of north winds, “Without your own inner beast tamed ye can never tame the wild ones around ye!” His eyes glowed with a subtle fire, distorting his pale eyes to a blood - red pallor. His fingers pushed i n together, against an invisible weight between his thumb and palm. When his voice grew louder Amie shivered, backed against the fence Eddie and Underhill had taken refuge behind. “To tame the beast , ” Slaine continued, “ y e must know it first!” At this he slapped the hindquarters of either horse and both let loose a terrifying scream.
    Amie’s voice was hoarse yet no sound escaped her throat. Only the sound of the horses’ hooves pounding into the earth beneath her boots crashed through the silence as they charged her.
    “Set it free , Jessamiene!” Slaine continued to roar.
    All sound dragged painfully around her as she breathed deeply and blinked. Amie froze in motion and listened to the sound of her heartbeat