«Without even knowing what the trial is?» The question was leading, but how many times had Bridget cautioned him to make his word his bond, and the truth his word?

He rested one arm on his knee and raised his head up even more proudly, not caring to push away the unruly dark curls that spilled over his brow. «The manner of the trial matters not, Highness. The queen of my heart is worth any price, no matter how difficult or high.» Now he let a small smile curl up one corner of his mouth. «I must presume that a noble of your obvious intelligence and integrity would make the trial at least possible for one of my kind to achieve.»

The fae are proud creatures. Compliments to them are like sugar water to a hummingbird. Many are addicted and come to expect them after a long life. Bryan watched as the words had the expected reaction. The King puffed and straightened his shoulders while his queen let out a small growl of annoyance. «Of course it is possible. But hear this, Human. Pretty words will not help ye in thy quest. Only courage, wits and strength of will and body.» He raised a hand. «Elwich, come forth.»

The fae of the long hair and armour of light stepped to the throne and bowed his head. «Aye, milord?»

«I have decided ye will race Human. His dispute is mostly with ye and the prize ye claimed in the outside world.»

Bryan felt air on his tongue as his jaw dropped. How exactly was a race possible against a fae? The raider smiled slyly. «To where shall we run, milord?»

But now the King settled back in his seat and laced fingers over his flowered vest. «’Twill not be a race on foot, but on steeds.» He flicked his eyes Bryan’s way. «’Tis possible, aye? Much depends on your selection. Ye will each choose a horse from among all we possess. Human will carry his heart’s queen to the cave at the top of the nearest peak, where the crown stars grow.» Now the blazing eyes moved to the fae, who was likewise shocked. «Elwich, ye will carry my wife and consort, Hermetia. The goal is simple. The first one to reach the cave and crown their queen wins. The loser. dies.»

Queen Hermetia chuckled low and Bryan finally felt fear in his heart. How could he hope to defeat a fae warrior and the Queen of all the fairies in their home world? But at least he had Bridget. She knew this world and their ways.

The Queen stood and started towards the horses confidently. But she hadn’t taken two steps before she completely froze in place. She pitched forwards and had not Elwich leaped up to grab her, she would have hit the ground face first. The fae warrior looked up at the King, stunned as both his and the queen’s armour dissolved into so much dust.

«But this is a test of more than just horsemanship, as I said. If Human has no magic, then neither shall ye. When my fair lady queen awakes, she will be powerless and voiceless, as will Human’s fiery halfling. But each woman has a personal knowledge and ye must watch and listen to learn what they can teach. I’ve found that true love can often be a. burden on those who are possessed by it. It robs one of common sense, and magic ability.» The King glared at the white-haired fae and ice painted his words as surely as if he was born of winter. «Isn’t that correct, Elrich?» The King raised an arm and he and the other fae disappeared into a puff of smoke, but his words continued to fill the air. «Have a care, warriors. Let no harm befall your beloveds or face my wrath. I will be watching thy progress and will tolerate no trickery.»

Beloveds? Was the King claiming his consort was loved by another — not true to him? But no matter. That was a matter of politics and none of his concern. Bryan raced to Bridget’s side to find her bonds were loose. She was pliant and could move her face to smile and mouth the words he’d heard so many times — I love you. The look on her face said more than words ever could, though, and he was warmed and made certain of his purpose.

But she could utter no sound and seemed terribly weak. «Ah, Bridey. Queen of me heart,» he said softly, meaning every word. «I told you I would never let them take you. We’ll be at home before the stew has finished boiling.»

He picked her up easily and she lifted her arms to wrap around his neck. They raced to the horses that were tethered nearby, and he found it strange they were first to the steeds.

The horses tossed their fiery manes as Bryan and Bridget approached. The closer they got, the more agitated the horses became. First backing and pulling on their reins, and then rearing up to kick with their stone hooves hard enough to raise sparks. Bryan stepped away, baffled. How was he to ride one of these beasts?

But then he felt Bridget’s hand on his shoulder. When he looked, she was shaking her head. She lifted her arm and pointed past the horses. But there was only dense undergrowth ahead. Was she suggesting they forgo the horses? «No horse?»

Her mouth moved and he concentrated to understand the words she was saying. «Iffer orz?» She shook her head, not so much angry as frustrated. She slowed down her movements and he mocked the motions with his own lips. «Ifferent. Oh! Different horse! Not one of these?» She smiled. Well, the King had said any horses we possess, so he presumed they weren’t limited to the ones at the tether. She raised her arm again, and it gave him an idea. He lifted her hand to support her arm and he pointed one of her fingers, moving it slowly until she nodded.

Yes, just through the lush flowers, he could see a building. Without a second thought, he raced into the distance hand in hand with Bridget. From behind him, he could hear Elwich reach the horse line. The warrior’s laugh taunted him as he left the horses behind. «Fool! Ye have no chance now.»

Sure enough, he turned and discovered that the horses were disappearing into smoke. All except the massive black stallion with a sparkling blue mane that Elwich and his queen rode. Although it could hardly be said the Queen rode. Elwich had thrown her indignantly across the saddle, as he had with Bridget. The steed reared back in displeasure at the two passengers, but leaped into the air with a rush of wind that nearly pushed Bryan and Bridget to the ground. Bryan turned his worried face to meet his wife’s eyes, but she only smiled and raised her arm again.

Had Bridget ever talked of horses? Wait! Yes, she had! I called him Neverwhere, because he was never where he was supposed to be and wouldn’t do as he was told. He would just suddenly appear and want to be ridden, already saddled. His hair was whiter than snow, with a coppery mane that was the same colour as mine. He allowed no other rider than me, and none could abide that — for a halfling to own the heart of the fastest of stallions. So deadly was he that they kept him away from the others for fear of breeding his stubbornness by accident.

But if he allowed no other. no, he wouldn’t consider that. He trusted Bridget, at whatever cost.

The paddock was quiet as they approached, but then a wind pushed them forwards. An eerie sound began from within the building: it was part scream and part battle cry. Bryan’s blood chilled in his veins and every hair on his body stood at attention. Yet Bridey was smiling with a child’s trust and love and he couldn’t help but be strengthened by her reaction.

As they approached the building, she began to look around. He stopped and waited, happy to abide her desire, and frankly fearing getting closer. She pointed towards a hawthorn bush nearby. Was he to cut a branch? They were sacred, not to be harmed. Surely she wouldn’t suggest such a thing. Then she mouthed, Under, and he looked down. He set her carefully on the ground near the bush. She began to snap off thick toadstools and motioned for him to do the same. That’s right! He remembered the story now. He loved me best because I knew how much he loved the mushrooms. They locked him up so he couldn’t eat them because they made him tipsy, like drinking butter beer. But he did love them and would do anything I asked for even a wee piece.

He started snapping off the thick mushrooms until she motioned for him to stop. He stuffed them in his pockets and followed where she led. As they approached the door, he could hear the maddened screams turn to snorts and then snuffles before being finally replaced by an excited snicker. It was no small trick to open the heavy paddock door but with her help the hinges gave way.

The steed was amazing to behold. It was easily half again larger than the other horses, of a white so bright it made him squint. «He’s a fine one, he is. Just as you described him, love.» Bridget smiled at him and then held out her arms to the horse. The beast came as far as the massive iron bars would allow, stretching its neck so she could run her wrist along his nose. But then the horse’s attention was drawn to Bryan. The eyes flashed with a copper glow and it bared teeth unlike he’d seen in the mouth of a grass-eater. They were the teeth of a shark, rows of curved and vicious incisors that could easily cut flesh to ribbons. It lunged forwards, and would have taken a chunk from his arm if he hadn’t moved quickly enough. Instead of reacting with fear, Bridget actually reached out and slapped the beast with the side of her hand.

It reacted more with surprise than anger, but cocked its head like a curious dog when she reached her arms around Bryan and held him tight. She kissed his face over and over, tiny touches of her lips that made him weak-kneed. Then she smiled at the horse and patted his jacket.

«Oh! That’s right. I have a treat for you, Neverwhere.» Bridget beamed that Bryan had remembered the horse’s name and even the steed looked interested. He pulled out a few mushrooms and placed them on her upturned palm.