to live and burn is
the most exquisite form of self destruction

For the first time since his return, the palomino roan was not thinking in terms of furthering his own ambitions. Every scheme, every selfish motivation that drove him had been laid to rest in the meadow. With these darkest pieces of himself buried beneath fear and love, Rade was more tangible - and vulnerable than most would ever witness. Gone was the cold veneer, abandoned were the calculated words. All that remained was a father desperate for the life of his son, a creature who would sacrifice anything - including the success of his plans.

Regardless, a fleeting frown curved Rade's lips when the dark mare countered his request with a vow of her own, wondering whether her motivations were as pure as they might seem. Sciannath would certainly make valuable leverage, if Adelheid intended to subvert or subdue him. But as easy as it was for the stallion to believe the worst of another, he knew that this Vulcan was different. And in subtle things - such as the way she tucked the boy against her body - the golden roan glimpsed the possibility of her devotion. It was not easy. As with her own offspring, the mare disguised her affection beneath a gruff exterior… but Rade understood.

They were not truly so different, after all.

The slight tension that had frozen him in the moments following the Codebreaker's promise was released. Bowing his head in complaisant agreement, Rade hoped that his initial wariness would at least be understood, if not forgiven. And out of gratitude, he offered no response to the possibility of being the filly's sire, though he might have been inclined to respond sardonically - or perhaps even suggestively - to any other sister of the Peak, just to nettle them. But not Adelheid. Though he would not admit it openly, the roan stallion felt not only respect, but a strong affinity for the black mare.

You can trust me with him, Rade. in his chest, the stallion's heart have a painful squeeze, and his amber gaze dropped hastily to the boy who stood beside the mare. Before she could glimpse the warmth that had thawed his features, and so that any emotion might appear to be directed at his son. But Rade knew in that moment that he could never betray Adelheid, nor abandon her after her purpose had been served as he'd originally intended. Besides Conquistador - who was tied to him by blood - how many others had given Rade their trust? And how many had he allowed to glimpse what lay behind the cultivated mask? The Codebreaker knew him as well as few on this earth could claim. Not his past, perhaps, but the truth of his character. And there was always the chance that more would be given in time.

"Sciannath," Rade responded after it was clear that the tiny roan would not. The boy had finished his meal and was backing away from the confident advances of the older filly. But like her mother, Sciannath was powerless before Claudya's warm nature, and inevitably relented, edging forward again until he was able to gift a couple licking "kisses" on the velvety-soft skin of her muzzle.

stallion . twenty-one . palomino roan . mustang mix . 15.1hh
debonaire x neassa