Silver can't die

Chapter 8

Beautiful.

The horse stands tall and proud, sleek black coat rippling with muscle and sheer speed. Her mane is the same thick, glossy black, and flops to one side as she appraises me, likely unintimidated by my puny frame.

She stamps once, and nickers softly as I approach almost reverently, running a hand over her skin, happy to find that it looks how it feels.

'Hey, girl.' I coo, doing my best not to grin like a clown. 'Can I take you for a ride?'

Her marble-black eyes roll over me, then she crouches down ever so slightly, just enough for me to scramble on.

I lead her out gently, doing my best without a saddle. I would have put one on her, but I have a distinct feeling that I would have ended up under her hooves if I had even tried, and I really don't want this particular horse hating me.

We go out to meet Isla riding a slim sandy mare, all bridled up.

'Trust you to find the most vicious horse in the stable.' she snorts, guiding her horse towards the forest.

I follow, my horse moving as smoothly as silk.

'Aw, she's not. She's a great big softie, that's what she is.'

'Bullshit. That's Azrael's horse, and he never let's anyone ride her. Partly because she's as wild as the sea, but mainly because he hates other people touching what's his.'

For a split second, I consider getting off, but the horse gave me permission to ride her, and that's all I need.

'What's her name?'

'Diabla.'

I smile. It really does suit her.

We trot through the woods for a while, our horses settling into a steady pace as we soak in the silence, punctuated by the occasional chirrup and twitter of the wildlife around us, and we move slowly as the sunlight dapples on the twig-covered floor.

Isla suddenly turns to me, a mischievous grin illuminating her heart-shaped face.

'Race you!'

Before I can even process what she said, she is a blur, already a hundred metres ahead. Diabla, however, wastes no time.

A surge of strength, and she shows me why she can't be tamed. We bolt through the trees, gaining ground with every powerful stride. 

I feel alive.

I lean over and wrap my arms around her neck, tucking in closer as we burst through the trees onto the plain, squealing with joy as Isla grows bigger and bigger. 

'You really take competition seriously, huh?' I whisper in Diabla's ear as she snorts in agreement. Somehow, it feels like she's not even trying, like she could race time and win, like she could -

I gasp.

Isla and her horse are airborne.

Magnificent feathered wings, the same colour as her flank reach out on either side, defying gravity with every flap.

I barely have time to move my knees out of the way before Diabla sprouts massive wings too, the same colour as the void, with silky-soft feathers that ripple under my touch. 

I hold on tighter as Diabla takes a mighty leap, lifting us off the ground with a burst of power.

I roar with happiness as we soar up to the clouds, ground disappearing beneath us. Inside the puffy white, the wind answers my call, echoing my roar until it can't be heard as we pull through the heaviness of the cloud, Diabla's wings setting a languid rhythm as we burst out.