I heard a door shut behind us. "Dustin." Savannah called, before she even saw his face. "Join us in the parlor."
A moment later, he poked his head in the room. "Ladies." He gave us a nod. His intense eyes probed mine. "Did I miss anything important?"
"Just a little girl talk." Savannah pushed her plate away and sipped the last of her wine. "I trust your trip was uneventful?"
He smiled and planted a kiss on my cheek. "Thankfully yes."
"Please have something to eat. We have plenty." She waved her hand at the spread in front of us.
He sat down next to me and began filling his plate. "Savannah, I really appreciate you doing this."
She folded her hands in front of her. "It's my pleasure. It's been a long time since I have had the opportunity to be part of something so exciting. Now if you will excuse me, I have a lot to do to prepare for Katie's training. Please feel free to explore the house and the grounds. I think you will find them quite exquisite. I will see you at dinner." She gave us a small nod and headed for the door, with Kaitlyn following close behind.
"So, how is it going? Are you feeling more comfortable with Savannah?" Dustin dug into the huge pile of food on his plate.
"Actually, yes." I played with the frayed end of my napkin. "She seems like she really wants to help me, but I'm still nervous none the less. I hope I don't disappoint her."
"How would you disappoint her?" He licked gravy off his spoon.
"Because I have no idea what I'm doing. Plus, I seem to be destroying things at an alarming rate. How much do you think that vase collection was worth? I'm going to have to blackmail a politician to scrape up enough money to replace them all."
He looked up, laughter crinkling the sides of his eyes. "I'm sure she's not worried about something as trivial as a few glass flower holders."
I sighed and stood up. "I think I'll take our stuff upstairs before we go exploring. Are you almost done?"
He took one last drink and pushed his plate away. "Let's go." He took my hand in his and led me out of the parlor.
The house was amazing. Dustin and I spent over an hour poking our heads into various rooms, exclaiming over the beautiful furnishings. There were bedrooms, sitting rooms, bathrooms and studies, but my favorites were the art rooms. They seemed to be organized according to different art movements. Impressionism, Surrealism, Art Nouveau, Post-Modernism.
"I have never seen anything like this." I stood in the middle of one of the rooms, marveling at the complete collection of Impressionism art that filled the space. "It's like an Art Gallery."
I could tell by the look on Dustin's face that the art nerd inside him had awoken. "I could spend hours just in this room alone." He stopped to admire a beautiful painting by Monet. "These aren't just prints. This one is an original."
I joined him, marveling at the little piece of history in front of us. "How do you think she can afford all this?"
He shrugged. "Casters live very well. They come from very old money and I think they probably have some outside investments to help keep their bank accounts padded. But I've never asked, and don't intend to start now."
I caught the cautionary tone to his voice. "I've never seen such a complete collection outside of The Louvre. I'd give anything to have even half of these pieces." I felt like a kid in a candy store.
"Someday I'll build you an amazing museum, just like The Louvre." He tilted my chin up and kissed me softly. "I would do anything to make you happy."
We explored the grounds next. There were at least ten acres, littered with various fruit trees and sugar cane patches. A huge stable stood not too far from the main house, it's red and white paint pulling me back to my childhood, and the days I used to ride horses with my brothers.
"What are you thinking?" Dustin's hand settled on the small of my back.
"Can't you tell?" I looked into his eyes.
"I could, but I figured I'd better start asking before I go reading your private thoughts. I wouldn't want someone running around in my head without permission."
I smiled. "I appreciate that, but there's nothing in my head I wouldn't share with you."
He nodded. "I'm glad, but I still want you to decide when and what you tell me."
"Do you ride?" I asked, as we headed towards the barn.
"I haven't in a while, but I spent many years learning all the different forms. Dressage was my favorite, and I had a beautiful Arabian mare that danced like a sugar plum fairy."
The stable section of the barn housed ten horses, each of a different breed. Each had a name plate on their stall, along with their birthdate. One specifically stood out to me. She was a Palomino and the plaque on her stall read Shadow Caster. She raised her head and walked towards me when I approached her. Her eyes were a light blue, similar to Savannah's.
"Hey there." I gently scratched her muzzle and her body seemed to relax at my touch. "Isn't she beautiful?"
Dustin reached out to touch her, but she jumped back, giving him a distrusting look. "Animals can sometimes sense that I'm different." He responded. "It takes time for them to trust that I won't hurt them." He looked deep into her eyes, and she slowly moved forward towards him. A moment later, he placed his hand on her cheek and she whinnied softly. "There. I'm not going to hurt you."
I watched, amazed, as he silently communicated with the gentle beast in front of us. "I didn't know you could affect animals too."
"It's a little different, since animals are naturally more distrustful than humans. It will take a few times for her to be completely calm with me, but it will happen, if I work with her. We should talk to Savannah and see if we can ride while we are here for your training. I'm sure these horses could use a little exercise."
Shadow Caster tossed her head in my direction and whinnied. "What did she say?" I asked Dustin.
"Put your hand on her cheek." He instructed.
I reached out, tentatively, and placed my hand on her warm cheek. Instantly, I was standing in a huge field, surrounded by horses. Shadow Caster was running circles, her beautiful blond mane flowing in the wind. She stopped in front of me and nuzzled my shoulder, the contentment in her body flowing into mine. I linked my eyes with hers. "Do you want to ride?" She tossed her head back and forth, her eyes never leaving mine. I smiled, feeling her wild abandon in my own heart. Moments later, I was back in the stables.
"Wow." I pulled my hand from Shadow Caster's cheek. "That was amazing."
Dustin grinned widely. "What did she tell you?"
I looked back into her eyes. "She wants to ride." I gave her one last gentle pat on her muzzle. "I'll be back, girl." She tossed her head again and turned back to her feed bag.
Dustin glanced down at his watch. "We'd better be getting back to the house. The sun will be setting soon."
He linked his arm with mine as we headed back towards the big house.
Savannah was waiting by the door when we returned. "Did you enjoy your exploration?" She led us into the dining room. "You are just in time for supper."
The room was set for another grand meal, complete with delicate china place settings. Sullivan and Kaitlyn were filling the table with plates and serving platters full of delicious food.
"Come sit." Savannah gestured to the chairs lining the long dining table.
Dustin and I sat to her left, as Kaitlyn took her regular place to Savannah's right. "Please," She gestured towards the platters.
Dustin didn't need any encouragement, as he began to fill his plate. "This is quite a meal." He said.
"As I was telling Katie at lunch, I enjoy my meals. Although I may look small, it takes a lot of nourishment to keep me at the top of my game. Now tell me, how do you like my little nest?"
"It's fantastic." I replied. "Your art collection is amazing. I have never seen anything like it, except in pictures of the great museums."
She nodded, as Kaitlyn filled our cups with sparkling white wine. "I have spent years creating each room. My travels have taken me all over the world, and I have fashioned my collection after some of the beautiful museums I have visited."
"I think Katie liked the stables the most." Dustin said, in between bites.
"You are welcome to enjoy the horses any time you wish. I have a feeling Shadow Caster would love to go riding with Katie." Savannah gave me a conspiratorial wink.
I grinned back. "I think I would love that too."
After dinner, dessert was served in the parlor. "I would like to get started on your training in the morning." Savannah took a bite of her cherry pie. "We have a lot to cover."
I nodded. "What will we be doing first?"
"I'll explain everything to you tomorrow. For now, let's enjoy our dessert and the lovely sunset." She looked out the window at the orange cast of the setting sun.
I followed her eyes, and watched the glowing orb slowly slip from sight. I had no idea what to expect the next morning, but I was hopeful that maybe, for the first time in months, I would be able to make some sense out of my new life.
Dustin and I returned to our room shortly after dessert. "Are you feeling okay?" He looked at me with concern.
I nodded as I grabbed my pajamas out of my duffel bag. "Just nervous. I need to call my parents. They want me to come home for Thanksgiving and I'm not sure how long we will be here. I need to come up with some sort of excuse that won't raise their suspicions."
"Tell them you are coming home with Dani and I." Dustin opened his bag and pulled out a pair of flannel pants.
I nodded, slowly. "I'm not sure how they will take it, but I don't have any other choice. I can't go home until I figure out how to control my new self."
My mother wasn't happy that I was bowing out of Thanksgiving, but she gave me permission, as long as I promised not to miss Christmas. I tried to keep our conversation upbeat so she didn't get suspicious, but after a few minutes I was struggling. I wanted to tell her what was going on. I wanted her to tell me everything would be okay, that I was strong enough to make it through this. Instead, I told her I loved her and got off the phone before my weakness got the best of me. A single tear slipped down my cheek.
Dustin came to my side and pulled me into his warm embrace. "You are strong, Katie. This is going to be hard at first, but I know in my heart you'll be successful. I'll be here with you every step of the way, and before you know it, things will start to make sense again."
I looked into his eyes, relishing the love and understanding I saw in them. "I hope I don't disappoint you."
He tilted my lips up to meet his. "You could never disappoint me." He kissed me, gently. "I love you more than you will ever know." I let him lead me towards the bed, his arms tightening around my waist. I felt the familiar feeling of desire as he laid me down, and molded his body to mine. I closed my eyes and let him lead me into blissful oblivion.
Author's Note: I loved growing up with horses. Do you think Katie will get her ride on? Tell me what you think in the comments! Luvs as always!! AMð