Rougaru could not help but to feel proud of himself. Despite his initial reservations with returning to the islands, HIS island was thriving and his name becoming one spoken with hushed and reverent tones. Other stallions grimaced when he appeared, suspicion and wary apprehension glittering in every fiber of their tense frames. He had made himself hated to some, like Liland and Shamwari, others considered him a worthy counterpart. Warsaw was often open with his praise and well, it was not hard to see how well that came across. So far, he had accomplished the goal he set to achieve. Though the entire island chains did not belong to him, Atlantis was his. As it was always meant to.

He had made his fair share of enemies and friends, but he had also managed to gather to him a nice little group of mares, each different but treasured in their own way. There was Monster, his little fiery demon, she burning bright like a ruby full of life and fire. There was Calypso, his delicate pearl. She was innocent, stunning and soft to the touch. There was Vasilisa the emerald, his jaded jewel. She threw her anger and hatred for him out willingly to any who would listen.

Then there was Zjeena. His diamond. He had never expected to keep her as long as he had, but Liland was a stubborn fool and well, Rougaru was not about to let the stallion bend him to fit his wishes. In the months that the pretty little mare had spent here, Rougaru had come to see her for the jewel she truly was. She was hard, like the harsh environment that she had come from. At first appearance, she seemed hard and emotionless, but in truth, it was calculation and observation. A diamond formed from what hardships the world had thrown her way.

He smiles warmly at her now, his multifaceted eyes alighting as she met his friendly greeting with one of her own. Excitement lingered in taunt muscles as her sweet scent enveloped him. He had not missed the change in seasons, the need to procreate threatened to encompass him but he fights back that desire in determination to show her the same respect she showed to him. It was not easy.

A smile tugged at his lips as she meet his gaze evenly, her sweet voice breaking the silence between them as she got straight to the point. Such was her style. A single audit flickers backwards as she asks to return to Liland. Of course he is not suprised, truthfully he was almost certain the words would pour from her lips much sooner than now. She kept her head high as she always had, he only assumed that she waited this long because of her own pride. Knowing now that the pale stallion no longer called the Ridge home must have unnerved her and from her words it seemed so. Sympathy flickers across his gaze for a mere moment as she speaks her worries and concerns.

He notices that she does not promise to return to him, merely promises to keep the idea in her mind, as though perhaps in time she might return if Liland does not prove to her that he deserved her loyalty and companionship. Her eyes are unreadable as she meets his gaze now, her supple womanly hips easily within his reach. The wolf salivates within him, growling its demand that he banish the thoughts from her mind by forcing his seed upon her. Rougaru jerks the beasts chain. Not Zjeena. He valued her too highly for that.

For a moment he keeps her gaze, his own, unreadable. He wanted to keep her here with him, to continue their days of casual conversation and amicable evenings shared walking along the shores. He wants to keep living the days as they had been, but deep down, he knew this was not fair to her. A heavy sigh leaves his broad chest as he stretches his neck forward to let his whiskered lips brush softly against her neck, inhaling her estrogen soaked scent and savoring the flavors that lingered there. "Okay Zjeena..." he breathed, "I will do this for you... not for him. He does not deserve you." he murmurs drawing back long enough to meet her gaze with his own once more. "I will agree to this on one condition..." he says, his voice soft, "I want you to bare my foal." he finishes.

For a moment now he pauses, his gaze drawing away from her to gaze out over the vast jungle landscape that lay before them. This was his home, he adored his island and he knows deep down that when Zjeena left here, she would not be returning. "I want to have an excuse to visit you... to have you visit me." he murmurs, shoving away the sudden unease that seemed to wash over him. It was not like him, asking such a thing. Usually it was understood, some, he did not give a choice. Zjeena was different. She was wise beyond her years and in her he saw someone to respect, someone deserving of such formalities. It was not about passion between them, at least it had not been so far, but perhaps... one day... it might be. Ears remain alert now as once more he brings his gaze to meet hers, emerald eyes staring into the dark chocolate color of her eyes, searching for what reaction might appear at the implication of his words.