Under the vampire Lord's protection-Chapter 128: Charlie and Chance

The deep brown of the exterior glistened under the sun, reflecting the shine of every neatly stacked board. The roof tiles did their own fair share of sparkling as well, pitch black they were, as clean and well maintained as the rest of the building.

"The stables would have been smaller had they not been one of the businesses my family runs," he crossed the threshold of the gigantic open gap that served as an entrance.

The so easily identifiable scent of horse stables hit Arabella before even stepping foot inside. The scent of pungent manure came a hint stronger than the mix of fresh hay and damp wood.

As harsh as that composition was on the nose, she still took the deepest of breaths upon entering the shade that the roof proffered.

"Horse trading is one of your family businesses?" she asked, eyes wandering around the vast cubicles hosting a beautiful creature each.

"It has been for centuries,"

Some of the animals were plopped down on a bed of golden hay, still asleep. Others walked around themselves in circles while a number of them neighed louder for attention.

Something dawned on her the more she stared at the mesmerizing beings, "Are these...?" the words hitched in her throat, finger pointing at a snow-white stallion.

"Yes. They are northern horses,"

By all appearances, northern horses were generally larger, standing higher than southern ones.

"My father only ever owned three of them," she slowly walked closer to the animal, "I hear they are so rare,"

"That they are," Silas too drew nearer, "They are sturdier and run at a much greater speed than the southern ones. Humans require special saddles in order to mount them," he reached out and caressed the horse’s head.

"Don’t they prefer wilderness?" she watched the heartwarming interaction between them.

"The strong ones do, but the weaker ones require a bigger deal of nurturing than nature alone can provide, which is why they thrive better in our care,"

"The weaker ones?" her eyebrows furrowed a tad.

The horse had stooped his head even lower, communicating his wish for further pets.

"Why yes," Silas finally glanced her way, "Our capturers do not go after the healthier, more aggressive ones in the wild. They are instructed to take in the injured, abandoned, the shunned horses from the group for those would have never survived on their own," freewēbnoveℓ.com

Arabella extended her hand to pat the horse, but Silas pulled away before she reached his head.

"You will be mounting a southern horse," he turned around and walked deeper through the corridor between the boxes, "It is the safest option for you,"

"Right," the young woman hastened to catch up with him, irises still roaming around.

"Let us go then," he said, "The wrangler is expecting us in the arena,"

Aside from the two of them, there weren’t any other people in the stables. Arabella concluded, the night caregivers had gone to sleep shortly, and that the daytime wranglers would be there to pick up after them.

A stronger breeze hit the young woman the closer to the second gate they drew. The sun stood on the other side, ready to greet them again as soon as they’d stepped outside.

She was rooted in place; features frozen in awe the instant her eyes captured what lay beyond the stables.

the Arena had gobbled most of the space, expanding in every direction past the reach of her sight.

But at the closest kick border was where most of her attention would linger.

A man on his feet, held the reins of two beautiful specimens. Both of the same color, but one much smaller than the second.

Of an obsidian black they were, the short hair covering their bodies basked in the glow they absorbed as two long sheets of silk dangled closer to the ground on one side of them each.

The man straightened up upon noticing Silas, turning to face the guests.

"Good morning, Master," he then Addressed Arabella, "And to you, Miss,"

She nodded and smiled, "Good morning to you as well,"

Silas on the other hand merely offered a nod his way before focusing on the horses, "Are they ready?

"More than ready, Master!" the wrangler beamed, "Chance and Charlie wouldn’t stop neighing from excitement,"

Arabella gripped the highest board separating her from the horses gawked at the colts, mouth agape.

The man opened the gate and welcomed them inside the running ground. He then led them closer to the mounts in order to introduce Arabella which he seemed more than thrilled about.

"Here, Miss," he stood to the side, allowing her a better view, "You will be mounting Charlie today,"

Her hand extended to offer a pat, but the wrangler intervened, "Take it easy, Miss," he practically whispered, "Charlie is quite shy, and it might take him a bit of...,"

Charlie put his hooves forward and stooped his head, almost stuffing his muzzle right in her breasts.

"Never mind that then," the wrangler’s unblinking eyes stuck with Charlie and consequently Arabella’s chest until Silas cleared his throat, "Oh... It seems he already took a liking to you. You may pat him now," he chuckled, doing his best to keep his focus on the horse instead of her generous form.

Face burning red, the young woman used both hands to caress Charlie; one on top of his head and the second below the muzzle.

"The... The saddles are already equipped and ready for you," the wrangler too cleared his throat. As though snapping out of a daze, he finally ripped his eyes away from Arabella and Charlie.

He ushered the young woman to the side before offering her a hand, but Silas immediately stepped in, "I’ll do that,"

Lifting her gown with one hand, she pushed on the stirrup with her left foot while putting some of her weight onto Silas’ hand after taking it. In one big and stiff swoop, the young woman managed to straddle the horse.