Posted on April 21, 2020 at 00:52:20 AM by DEX
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He could feel the curious gaze of the colt Talien stayed close to as they moved from the shores of the Bay. If they ever made eye contact, Dex would offer a friendly smile, letting the colt know that he meant no harm and he certainly wouldn't come between what kind of relationship he had with Talien. After all, he was just a colt, not a stallion trying to court her. Dex kept himself close to Talien on her other side, offering his body as support any time she grew tired on the swim over. He knew it wouldn't be easy for her with her torso already growing round with child. He kept pace with her, however slow she swam, offering nickers of encouragement any time she seemed to lose faith. When they reached the shores of Paradise finally, he watched in growing concern as Talien collapsed into the sand, her sides heaving as she gasped in air. Letting the others go by if they wanted to continue inland, Dex stopped to stand protectively by her, reaching down to affectionately nuzzle and nibble at her mane and neck. It was his way of letting her know he was still here with her and he wasn't going anywhere. When she finally rose to her hooves, he stood close by in case she needed the support, letting her go on ahead of him so he could keep an eye on her and make sure she didn't go down again. His ears swiveled alertly, keeping aware of their surroundings the whole time in case there were predators or anything else here that would mean danger for her or his unborn child. When Talien looked back for him, he smiled and gave a low whicker meant for her ears only, even wiggling his brows teasingly at her to remind her of that view he so appreciated as he came up to brush against her and stand at her side. His gaze swept over the other horses present, finally settling on the Fjord mare who stood at the middle of it all. He didn't know her of course but it seemed some of the others did, Talien included. He could see the flash of recognition in some of their gazes as she spoke, her words mostly circling around Liland. He listened with an open mind since he knew neither this mare nor the stallion they left in the Bay. If anything, his ear flicked toward Talien at his side on more than one occasion, processing her own reactions to the words cause if anyone would know the truth of them, it would be her. When he saw the anger flashing in her eyes, it wasn't what he expected at all. It was right around the time the mare before them started to cry and speak of being forced to carry more foals for Liland. Dex didn't approve of this, of course. He would never force himself on anyone. He couldn't even entertain the idea in his mind. It was below disgusting. Talien was his first and that's the way he always wanted it. If it was up to him, she would be his last as well. A colt spoke, obviously in support of Liland over the mare before them and Dex lifted a brow in surprise when Talien bared her teeth in his direction, obviously displeased. His nostrils flared, wanting to capture all the different scents and emotions in this moment as he quietly observed. Mares begin to speak, mostly wanting the colt to tell his father that they wouldn't be swimming back any time soon. Dex could understand it. After all, they were about to drop at any time and it wouldn't do to endanger a new foal with a swim like that. He knew Talien certainly wouldn't risk it and he didn't blame her one bit. He glanced around the island. It wasn't exactly unpleasant here either. The air was warmer, more comfortable on his thin coat. The question was, would the lead stallion here allow him to stay with Talien? Dex wouldn't just leave without putting up a fight. That was for sure. When the colt in Talien's care stepped forward, Dex was surprised once more that he found his voice and was lashing out in anger at the other colt, something about his mother's death? No wonder Talien stuck close to him. Dex's expression softened in sympathy for the colt. Talien spoke to the colt, trying to soothe him and Dex felt his heart swell to see her being so affectionate to a foal as he had no doubt she would be to their own. When Talien took a breath, Dex looked to her expectantly. She was about to speak, but the apologetic look she threw his way first threw him off guard, his ears flicking back as his brow lifted in puzzlement. What was that about? Of course it didn't take him long to find out, and the moment she said she was forced to carry a child, Dex felt the red starting to cloud his vision. He had stood on those shores of the Bay and greeted the stallion like a friend even though he didn't know him. Talien had seemed happy enough to see him. How could she greet him like that with what he did? Dex started to tremble, his muscles twitching with restless energy as his jaw clenched. He let out a deep snort but forced himself to continue watching Talien, knowing if he took his eyes off her now, he would be diving back into the water and going after the Fjord stallion now himself. And he wouldn't rest until one of them lay dead. When she looked back at him again, his ears flattened even more to his skull and his lips twitched. She would of course know what was happening, but he didn't want to ruin her speech. This was her time and he wouldn't ruin it for her. So he planted his hooves and let the trembling continue through his body, every part of him feeling like jolts of eletricity were continuously hitting him. She spoke to him this time, saying she didn't want to tell him, that he might be angry. Speaking through clenched teeth, he knew she needed an answer so he gave her the truth. "Not angry with you." He growled the words even hating that he was showing this side to Talien so early on in their reunion. The truth was that he never learned how to control it exactly. It was like another part of him, another side. The bachelors flourished in it, usually egging him on until he unleashed himself on some poor unsuspecting stallion. Then while he was attacking, they would take a few mares or whatever it was they wanted from the stallion. When Talien finally looked away from him, he forced himself to take a breath, knowing it was the only way to stave off the beast. He had to keep breathing. He felt the darkness clenching around the outer edges of his vision, threatening to engulf him in it. He tried to tell himself that going after Liland now wouldn't serve anyone, especially Talien. As if in answer, he felt her gaze on him once more, her need for reassurance the only thing that kept him grounded. Continuing to breath around the red, he gave a stiff nod, letting her know that he wasn't going anywhere. It was all he could do for now, knowing if he spoke again, it would come out in another growl. It would be a miracle if he didn't get chased out of here for acting like a feral beast at this point. They might think he had some kind of disease, that he was rabid or something. When the scent of another stallion hit his nostrils, Dex tensed up all over again, his gaze sweeping then to see a chocolate stallion with a white mane and tail coming toward them. There was a dark colt as well who laughed and raced to the mare who had been speaking. Zjeena? He thought that was her name. It seemed that was his mother, but others of the herd looked similar to her as well. A filly the dark colt called Havalle, for instance. The older stallion finally moved toward Zjeena, his expression sheepish as he apologized before looking over the rest of the herd. Dex took a few deep breaths before the stallion's gaze moved over him. He didn't want to seem unhinged or dangerous. Slowly, the red haze started to move from his vision, but he was no less angry. When the stallion's gaze swept over him, he met his gaze, unable to duck his head in respect like he usually would with the anger rolling through his body. He could only hope it wouldn't be a big deal in this big a group. As if remembering his anchor, Dex inhaled sharply and looked for Talien as if he might lose her in the crowd. He wanted to be close to her more than ever with another stallion present. But then he remembered the way he acted earlier and shame swept over him like a cold wave. Self loathing swept his ears back as he wondered if she would even want to be close to him right now. He'd just growled at her, after all. What if she was upset with him or thought he blamed her for what happened? Of course that was the furthest thing from his mind, but he wanted justice for her more than ever. Just the thought had his jaw clenching again, jaws threatening to gnash the air but he took another deep breath and turned his head away from the group as a whole, including Talien. He didn't want her to see him like this, so close to losing control. He wouldn't leave her cause he had promised but he turned his shoulder and put his head almost to the sand as he closed his eyes and concentrated on breathing. Dex_stallion_6yo_Arabian/Thoroughbred Mutt_16.2 hh_true bay coat_black mane & tail_green eyes_bound to Talien_Tinuvel Bay Father to: Chronos (xTalien) photo by Olga_i@shutterstock |
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