I left the house and went to the stables to see Belial. As soon as I stepped into the stables, the large black stallion poked his head out of his stall, staring at me with deep black pools.
"Good evening, my black demon." I said to Belial, stepping into the stall.
Belial nickered, nipping lightly at my arm as I walked up to his left side and mounted him bareback, and with no bridle. His ears pricked up, alert and excited, and he began pawing at the floor, impatient to go riding.
"No Belial, not now." I said, stretching myself out on his back and neck. "The night has been rough, and I am too tired to ride you right now."
The stallion's ears seemed to droop in disappointment and he let out a snort, but stood still, allowing me to rest on top of him for thirty minutes, taking in the past events of the evening and early morning until he tried to knock me off by ramming me into the side of the stall.
"Thank you for the short rest." I said, sliding off Belial, who whickered and bit my sleeve.
"Alright but only one treat tonight."
I left the stables, went back up to the house, and back up to the master bedchamber, where Mary laid, surprisingly awake, feeding Aric. She looked up at me with tired eyes and for the first time in what felt like ages, smiled a true smile, void of pain.
"You must be dead on your feet." She said.
"To say the least of it." I replied, eagerly shrugging off my vest, and pulling off my shirt and breeches, trading them in for my nightclothes; then I went and lay down next to Mary.
"Good night." I said leaning over and brushing a soft kiss across Mary's lips. "If you need anything, just wake me and I'll get it for you."
"Thank you William."
"It's the least I can do, considering what you've gone through. I'm very proud of you, and I love you."
"I know. I love you too." She replied, caressing the side of my face. "Good night."
I lay my head back on my pillow, closed my eyes, and fell into a dreamless, and for once, relaxing sleep."
