Dia’s touch on his shoulder is welcome and he returns it while keeping an eye on the colt, whose gaze has dived to the earth as he stammers a response to Şahin’s vague question. Or perhaps Dia asked his name before the blanketed palomino joined them; he didn’t know. The boy looked terrified and Şahin wondered about that, given Dia’s warm and affable nature and his own gregariousness, but before he could investigate or try to prove to the boy that he was safe in Paradise, they were joined by none other than Xina.

Like she had so many months ago when Şahin had been with Mera, the bay roan interposed herself between the foal and the adults, most notably keeping her body between the boy and the stallion. Şahin put his ears back at that. While he’d known Xina was Mera’s mother when they met, he was fairly certain she hadn’t been pregnant while in Paradise and certainly did not have enough time to bear and birth a colt of this age. Her maternal instincts were met this time with less understanding, especially given how much time she had spent in his herd. Surely she must know he would never knowingly harm a foal? He doted on Mera. But perhaps that had been his mistake. Maybe he should have been ingratiating himself with the caustic mare who held herself so aloof in his presence, as if she expected some sort of punishment at any moment. Şahin had been nothing but kind to her. He did not deserve this.

“Better prepared to lie, or...?” he snapped, then tossed his head in a visible attempt to curb his tongue. He did not want to frighten to colt further, and this was the first time in years he’d spoken to someone in a sharp voice. It felt foreign launching from his lips. “Forgive me,” he said in a calmer tone as he forced his ears up. “But you can hardly fault me for wondering how long you’ve been hiding this colt. And for what purpose,” he finished in a darker tone. He stared at Xina. Yes, he should have been getting to know the mare before the daughter, that much was obvious. Şahin no longer trusted her, despite being the mother to the most wonderful filly he’d ever had the fortune to meet. He turned his mouth toward the shimmering palomino beside him. “Dia, this is Mera’s mother, Xina.”