Page 101 of Dragon Her Heels

Yuless laughed, got up from his seat, and offered his hands. “Let’s go collect our horses and get them transported to where we are staying tonight, then you can decide what to do after you see the rescue Zach has acquired for you. If it makes you feel any better, I’ll drive you to a local kill pen when we’re done here so you can rescue a few horses out of there.”

“We can go clear out a kill pen after we finish shopping here, sure,” Lucifer said. “I can take them straight to my many hells, where they will receive the best care the universe has to offer and a retirement most horses only dream of.”

That would be an excellent use of my money, so I nodded. “That helps a little. Let’s go pick up the horses so I can find a corner to cry in for a while. I feel dirty, and I don’t think showering is going to at all help.”

* * *

I named HIP 2843 the Queen of Hell, thus winning Darlene’s adoration. The Queen of Hell would make announcing hilarious, and I fully meant to warn everyone about the nature of my most dangerous acquisition. Unlike most of the other horses, Keeneland wanted to keep a chain on Queenie to help keep her controlled. While I preferred not using the chains unless necessary, I understood their concerns and abided by their request.

In the twenty minutes since claiming her lead and leading her to my trailer, she’d gone after Lucifer four times and had launched a hoof at Yuless, requiring the tall, dark, and handsome to dodge or suffer from severe bruising, potential broken bones, and many regrets. For whatever reason, she accepted my presence readily enough and even permitted Darlene to pet her without attempting to bite.

“Was she abused, Lucifer?”

“She is almost as stubborn as you are, and more force than you prefer was used. She is not a bad horse, not exactly, but she will challenge you. You have the skill, the patience, and the will to turn her into an oddly named angel, but she will be rather hellish for most for a while. The starter assistants are not going to enjoy working with her. She won’t ever be Alligator Bait, but if you can convince her to wait for your cues without exhausting herself, the Queen of Hell will take you far—and earn her keep through her babies, who will sell quite well at auction. You made sound investments, although I question why you named your buckskin Precious Little Angel.”

“She is my precious little angel,” I informed him, clicking my tongue and encouraging the Queen of Hell to keep up with me. As I wanted to prevent mayhem from breaking loose in my trailer, I loaded her first.

While she seemed to loathe and abhor men, my wicked chestnut accepted me readily enough, entering without much of a fuss.

It amused me that the Queen of Hell came with her halter as nobody wanted anything to do with taking it off her.

After securing the mare and leaving Darlene to safeguard my trailer and Lucifer’s rig, I returned to the pavilion to retrieve the next two of my horses, opting to claim Peach Pie and Precious Little Angel next. Peach Pie wanted to love me into submission, costing me ten minutes to fend him off. I viewed his affectionate nature as an advantage; with care, ample affection, and a sense of security, I could transform him into a true stallion of legend.

Precious Little Angel lived up to her name and cooperated without costing me any of my sanity. Yuless led the first horse I’d purchased, and we took our time. Lucifer led a pair of his new animals, keeping an eye on my limping horse.

I would not appreciate the vet bill or the bargain required to secure angelic medical assistance. Sighing, I asked, “Please tell me it’s not another fracture or due to a beating.”

“It’s not. He’s stressed enough he’s at risk of having an ulcer, but they did use ulcer guard on him. He hasn’t been wanting to eat because he’s stressed. He’s clear of the common ailments plaguing some thoroughbreds, so you don’t have to worry about that. He’s just had a rough week. There is a note in his veterinarian record about a minor soft tissue injury, which is what is causing the limp.”

“Should I abuse your brothers again?”

“You can if you wish, but I recommend you bargain when we get to my estate. I am sure Gabriel will want his turn, and he is more inclined to bargain to further his plans. Michael is pleased with what’s going on lately, so he has no desire to meddle.”

That sounded promising. “And the rescue?”

“That situation is why you will be willing to bargain with Gabriel, and the severity is why Gabriel will bargain more fairly than he normally might. It’ll be fine. It will benefit you both equally and inconvenience you both equally. Those are the best bargains, balanced in all ways.”

I would take his word on it. “All right. Do we have to do the auctions tomorrow?”

Lucifer laughed. “No. I can send someone to bid on my behalf. I already know those outcomes. Today was the day of mystery, as I wished to see what you would do. Tomorrow has little in the way of mystery.”

I sighed. “I will pay you back for the poor prospects, and I will search for good homes for them.”

“I will bid only enough to change the fates of all those horses,” he promised. “And I will continue planting those seeds within Alex Dryden. One day, sooner than later, he will thank you. Tomorrow, he will meet his heart horse, and that is all the magic he will need in the days to come.”

* * *

Nothing could have prepared me for the horrific condition of both the mare and the foal Zach had plucked from death’s cold shadow. The vet proved to be Gabriel, and the archangel, in a gentle tone, suggested everyone else find something to do so I might preserve some of my dignity.

Then he handed me a box of tissues so I could blow my nose. Once I got better control of myself, I asked, “Who could do this to any animal?”

“Monsters,” the archangel replied, his tone regretful. “My brother wants to make certain you know the importance of your chosen role. He chose these two, using our little brother to do so; you are their only hope of any future at all, and they only have that hope because you are willing to bargain with me to give them a life with you.”

“Can we skip the bargaining process and make sure they will be all right?”

The archangel’s chuckle soothed me. “I have already made certain they will not pass on from this life. I prefer a fair bargain. My brother? However much I love him, he would take advantage of the situation. I do not even blame him for that for it is his nature. You can relax. They look terrible, this is true, but those days will pass for them sooner than later. I already took the liberty of borrowing Zenzi, and she will be available to help nurse the little one as needed.”

I frowned at the foal, who proved to be a filly, with interest. “Moon is significantly larger.”