Arcana may never say it out loud, but she hasn't ever found true happiness with anyone else. Arcana can admit only to contentment.

Norman was kind to her. He claimed her like a gentleman, never once causing her any pain. He was always polite, and respectful. He wasn't unattractive either. He was a mixed-breed, perhaps with some draft or baroque blood, by his heavy crest, thick mane, and large, masculine head. Though he was only about 16 hands. He was statuesque, and his dapple grey coat, somehow always clean, definitely drew the eye. Arcana shared Norman with about six other mares, most of which were better bred, and better built than herself, but Norman never seemed to play favorites. She told him all about the islands and her mother, and he was a great listener. They formed a friendship and when breeding season came, they made a family. She liked him enough, but she never felt such passion as when she looks in the face of Orhan.

That spring, Arcana produced a lovely colt. She labored early and the colt was small, but his thick legs meant he would grow to a size like his father. He was black and white, painted like his mother. Arcana called him Kumar. It would be safe to say that Kumar was her first real love. Arcana loved being a mother. Like caring for Brijesha once did, caring for Kumar gave her a sense of purpose.

Not long into Kumar's young life the unspeakable happened. The aggressive stallion, Eurion challenged the kind Norman to his mares. Eurion was smaller than Norman, but he was athletic. He was muscle bound, and agile. His golden, palomino coat was littered with scars. Eurion wore those scars proudly, and boasted of past battles won. Norman didn't stand a chance, but neither did he even try. Norman rounded up what part of his herd that he could, and fled. Arcana and Kumar were caught up in the chaos and separated from the herd.

The first thing the palomino did when confronting the pair was to grab the young colt by the neck, and shake him. Arcana never knew such violence. She never saw it coming, or she would have done more to protect her baby. One moment, he was at her side, and the next, Kumar lay lifeless on the ground. Arcana didn't have time to process what happened before Eurion came for her. He forced her off course with his teeth and drove her back to his own herd.

In the weeks that followed, Arcana mourned the loss of her son. Despite the pain in her heart and the pain her her full udders, she fought Eurion. Her spirit remained as she waited for Norman to rescue her, but he never came. It was the ultimate betrayal. Norman never loved Arcana, and Arcana never loved Norman. This only became clear when hard times hit and neither tried to reclaim what was lost. When Arcana finally fought for and won her freedom, it was not back to Norman that she ran, it was back to the Lost Islands, and back to the Desert.

Her body journeyed abroad but her heart always remained here, in the Desert, with Orhan.

His sweet voice is always just the drug she needs to soothe a wounded heart. Arcana suddenly regrets not confiding in Orhan sooner. The resolve in his voice assures her that he is not Norman. In the end, it didn't matter that Norman was big and strong. His lack of passion lost him Arcana's trust, and Kumar's life. Orhan has the spark that Norman lacked. If he loses Arcana and their unborn daughter, it won't be for lack of trying, and that alone, is enough to quiet the loudest of Arcana's worries.

"Thank you, Orhan.", she whispers into the night. Her voice is tight with unshed tears. The emotions that grip her chest are comprised less of fear and more of relief and overwhelming love. She sidesteps after Orhan, closing the gap between them again. Her trembling voice is barely audible, but she murmurs into his neck. "I love you."

OOC: I couldn't resist. I had to write one more. I am ending the thread here and will start a new thread shortly.