Nali kissed Xyrie’s forehead. “Thank you,” she murmured.
“Is she going to kiss all of us, Xyrie?” a young foal sleepily asked.
“Hush now,” Xyrie gently admonished.
Nali leaned down and pressed an affectionate kiss on the foul’s forehead before she straightened and walked back the way she had come. She brushed the willow branches aside, paused, and looked back over her shoulder. Xyrie returned her gaze with a steady and confident one of her own.
Nali bowed her head in respect and stepped out from under the concealing curtain of willow limbs. When she stood outside, she drew in a deep breath, held it for a moment, and slowly released it. The visit had morphed from the need to warn Xyrie of the impending danger to a heart-felt need to share her fears and doubts with her sage counselor.
A
