The noontime sun has driven Rade into the comforting cradle of the jungle's shadow, but he is never far from the sea. Lulled to the edge of oblivion by its rhythmic sighs, the palomino braces himself against one of the palms that fringe Paradise's beach. Tucking his chin against his chest, Rade attempts to drain the tension of his body by focusing on the steady thunder of his heart, but the comfort he seeks does not come to him. The wounds he had sustained during his brief reunion with Styrke have begun to heal, but the ache that lingers in his heart is more persistent. His brother had turned away from him, refused to see him - and the pain from this cannot be soothed by time.

Sleep grows more evasive the more determinedly he seeks it, and it is with a resigned exhale of breath that Rade stirs, turning to retreat deeper into the trees. Perhaps if he loses himself in the shadows, he might also leave behind the darkness that plagues his mind. Inhaling a final farewell to the brine of the sea, the golden stallion freezes, then wheels abruptly to plunge through the barrier of vegetation that forms the forest's edge. The masculine musk that pervades the air is familiar, yet he is certain that it is born of madness. Styrke could not be here; he has no purpose in Paradise. He had turned his back on it, and Rade - as Rade had once turned his back on his brother.

It is with wary, disbelieving eyes that Rade observes the trio he is approaching, lingering long on the familiar shadow of Clytie's body to avoid meeting the black gaze of the man who accompanies her. When he finally relents, the force of Styrke's hostility brings his limbs to an abrupt halt. They had always shared a bond of unspoken communication, and right now Rade can feel his brother's mingled fury and disapproval as if the emotions were his own. Tension thickens the humid air until he cannot hope to fill his lungs with it, but Rade persists, drawing a ragged breath before he breaks the smothering silence.

“Did you come to finish the deed, my brother?”

stallion // mongrel // 15.1hh // 4 // palomino roan // reba
debonaire x neassa