Exton

Jeb holds the door for them as Ramji escorts Laila out. As it closes behind them the sound of silence is startling. Laila turns glancing at the door. Ramji smiles in the dim streetlight.

"It is a part of the magic here. We are what we are, but out here, we are what they can accept."

As she lifts the yasmak to cover her hair, the Rider stops her hands. "You have no need to hide yourself from my eyes, nor from those where we shall be walking."

He offers her his arm as red eyes gleam from the alley. There is a huff, a short raspy bark, and a grizzled head peaks out of the shadows. It watches them approach, then ducks back, waiting by a darker patch of shadow.

"Shall we Djevojka?"

Macadam and cement disappears from beneath their feet, replaced by a worn path. Brick walls are gone. A soft breeze teases leaves and plays with the tousled curls of Laila's hair. Ramji's shoulder-length locks shift slightly as it tugs at his own. They walk in silence. The Hell Hound trots ahead, then pauses waiting for them to close the gap. Ramji watches her from the corner of his eye. After a small bit, he breaks the silence.

"Sometimes, I miss the mountains of home, the sound of the ocean as it thunders across the sand during the storms. But most of all, I think I miss the quiet meadows where the sheep grazed under a hot sun and a shepherd could dream. Do you miss your own homeland, Laila?"

She is quiet. When he thinks she will not answer, her soft voice fills the night. "I miss... I miss my family, walking on the damp sands as the ocean kisses my bare feet. I miss," her voice drops lower, softer. "I miss the freedom to do as I please."

He nods, walking a little while longer in silence. "Lord Herne is not as difficult to obey as some I have served. I do not get beaten. I do not get starved. But sometimes... Sometimes I wish I could do as Lady Leather has done."

Laila cocks her head, looking up to see his face. "What has she done?"

"She has left the employment of the Hunt. She is now freelance. Few of us know the particulars, but now she has the right to refuse to Hunt." He looks down at her, smiling. "Oh don't get me wrong. She still Hunts. But she has the right to say no. Most of us do not have that choice."

He stops, turning to face her. "Lady Leather once told me that freedom is like self-worth. Someone can only take it if you believe they can. Sometimes our choices are taken from us. Inside, that dove flutters just waiting for the cell door to crack."

His fingers brush errant strands from her face. "He may think he owns you. I know better. I see the spirit in your eyes, the fire in your soul, and know he does NOT own the beauty of you."

He raises her hand to his lips. "The Gods and Goddesses of Greece and Croatia have all touched your creation. You have the heart of a warrior, the beauty of spring, the purity of a mountain spring. This humble shepherd walks in your blessed presence."

Leaning closer,Ramji tilts his head down as Laila, closes her eyes. A soft growl breaks the moment, followed by the distant, but fast approaching thunder of hooves. They have just enough time to step to the side as a herd of moving bodies thunder past. A form breaks away, pausing to sniff at the couple. It tosses its head, horn glimmering in the dim starlight. Soon it is racing  after its companions.

Ramji laughs. Before she knows it, Laila is laughing with him. When they catch their breath, he grins at Laila. "Unicorns. Those were... unicorns. Even the Fae believe they are almost extinct."

Staring after the disappearing herd, Ramji shakes his head in wonder. Laila giggles. "Well, we were almost extinct."

Tucking her hand in the crook of his arm, Ramji begins to tell her of the fields of his homeland, the mountain passes, hot summers and blizzard winters. It isn't long before the Hell Hound barks again. Ramji sighs. "I fear Laila, that I have brought you to your home."

The Hound huffs again, stepping through the Veil. They follow, stepping into the thicket from which he had watched her.  He kisses her fingers once more, bowing over her hand.

"I will wait here until you are safely inside."