Page 41 of Dragon Her Heels

“They are gone. They emerged long enough for them to secure their weave to all life that is, all life that was, and all life that is to be, and they have claimed their rightful reward. I saw to their final passage myself, as did my father. Lucifer lurked in the shadows as he is prone to do, but he offered the warmth that only the Lord of the Morning can. You are calm about this.”

“I thought there were other greater hedge witches.”

“There are greater hedge witches, but today you have proven you are in a class all your own. You have secured your fate with your choice to preserve the node and accept what lurked beneath the lake until now.” The Archangel of Death considered the castle, which dripped clean water. “You even purified the lake water.”

“The node did that,” I admitted. “I did remove the sludge. If there’s going to be a castle in my backyard, I want it to be a pretty castle.”

Azrael’s laughter chimed. “The lake’s residents are quite confused over their changed circumstances, but it is to their liking. The fish will thrive and feed the alligators, who won’t snatch any of your chickens or other residents because you have wisely laid excellent foundations here. The birds will come to feed on the fish, which in turn will also feed your alligators. Death still happens, but this is a place where life thrives. I like that the alligators are welcome to come and remove the dead, but only if they are not sentient.”

I’d forgotten I’d laid that ward, as it had been one of the earliest I’d done. “I didn’t want things rotting without the scavengers coming and doing their job.”

“A wise decision.” The archangel turned towards my pasture, and his laughter once again chimed. “Your other guest has noticed your altered landscape and is gloriously startled. He rides Zenzi, who is taking great care with him. The colt behaves, but he has earned a nip or three for his jealousy. He does not want your guest riding his new mother.”

“Zenzi is a miracle.”

“She is a most excellent horse. Wait but a moment, please.”

Before I had a chance to answer, the archangel vanished in a silvery flash. A few moments later, he returned with four horses in tow. I recognized them from myth, legend, and religion.

The Pale Horse of Death wanted me to rub his nose, and the Red Horse of War joined in, leaving the White Horse of Conquest and the Black Horse of Famine to wait for their turn. Smiling over their need for attention, I gave them all their owed affection.

Azrael scratched the pale horse’s neck. “We usually refer to them by their role. It keeps us from talking for long when introducing them. Should you need a sturdier mount, call for them, and they shall come. You will not need them often, but you will find they will prioritize your needs over all but His. That is the role you have chosen for yourself on the mortal coil. And should He sacrifice as He has done time and time again, you will be here, a beacon in the darkness for life, death, and everything in between. You are a consequence of many actions, but a few more recent ones have allowed you to grow into your place.”

Well, that would keep me up at night. I considered the horses, who stood with picture perfect patience, and patted Conquest’s shoulder. “Will you come ride with me?”

“Of course. I do enjoy vexing my brother.”

As expected, Azrael went to Death and mounted, waiting for me to pick my horse.

I considered the remaining three, and after giving War and Famine kisses on their soft noses, I vaulted onto Conquest’s back.

My current goals aligned well with the horse’s purpose.

“I’ll see about a bridge to the castle later. This is for the better. The castle being there on my terms makes everything easier to cope with,” I admitted.

“You are an efficient being, and unfinished tasks tend to bother you. As far as mortal failings go, it is not a bad one.”

We met Lucifer and Yuless halfway to the pasture, and the Devil heaved a sigh over us. “I should have known you’d involve yourself, Azrael.”

“It was time, and the horses were curious,” the Archangel of Death replied in a cool tone. “I do admit the castle adds a certain ambience.”

“It’s far cleaner than I was expecting it to be after its many years down there. Might I inquire why you decided the castle should be present, Crystal?”

“If my lake is going to have a castle in it, it will have a clean castle. Honestly, the castle is a consequence of the other work I was handling. All things need a purpose.”

Lucifer’s eyes narrowed, and he stared in the direction of the castle and its node. “Ah. I understand now. That is quite clever. I would not have considered that as a solution.”

“That is why she is as she is, and it serves as a reminder to why we need her rather than the other way around,” Azrael commented. “How are you enjoying Florida, Yuless?”

“It’s changed since the last time I was here, but it’s suiting me well enough.” The tall, dark, and handsome eyed the castle. “I’m entertained to say the least. It’s not every day castles just show up.”

Something about his tone caught my attention, but I couldn’t figure out what he implied—if he implied anything at all. Then again, if he could handle the surprise appearance of a castle, he could probably handle the realities of life the day of a race, assuming I could train him to properly saddle and handle Alligator Bait.

When opportunity knocked, I took care with how I opened the door. However, as I didn’t want the chance to slip me by, I said, “Alligator Bait would love to entertain you, but she’s a bit headstrong, so she’ll keep you on your toes. If you want to be loved into submission, I recommend you work with David first.”

Lucifer laughed. “We learned that David is the truest definition of a gentle giant. Yuless also learned your horses play dead in the pasture.”

“Carcass time is sacred.”