Ava’s offer had been a generous one—a sort of kindness that he had not expected to find in his life again. She had a very particular kind of warmth that Yusuf felt radiating from her body, like the sun on a cool day. He was drawn to it, and he let it fill what was left of his tattered heart, following her closely as they ventured nearer to Orhan.

When the stallion’s call for a gathering reached his ears, Yusuf instantly filled with worry. He felt Ava take pause and then continue forward, making the decision to present him to the desert leader in front of what would likely be the entire herd—possibly even the devilish mare that had threatened his very life once already. In this moment he thought of bolting back in the opposite direction, leaving his fate to the cruelty of the desert and not at the hooves and teeth of a hostile mare, but he couldn’t bear the guilt of abandoning Ava and all the kindness she had shown him so far.

It is fortunate that they are the first to arrive at least. Yusuf stood next to Ava, looking as meek and worse for wear as ever, doing his best to keep his ears tipped forward as she made the case for allowing him to stay. His mouth was dry but he knew he had to try and speak. His ran his thick tongue over his lips to wet them, but hears another voice speak instead.

Orhan.

Yusuf tipped his head that direction, an acknowledgment more than anything else. Her voice was strong—unlike any other he had heard before. There was something unexpectedly authoritative about it, and it set the dark chestnut stallion on edge. And even though this mare was different than the other who had made it clear his life was worthless, he feared she was capable of hurting him as well. He side stepped away from her, just in case, and then turned back to where he believed Orhan stood.

“Please forgive me, Orhan. I don’t mean to intrude.”


-yusuf