Desert

Finding Sonorae’s scent had awakened a guilt that he never imagined would belong to him again. Like a beaten mongrel, the beast shrank into the dark recesses of his mind with downcast eyes. Sonorae. His precious, delicate, gentle dove. He had promised to always keep her safe, to cherish and protect her and yet he had abandoned her without the promise of a return. Leaving Vanya, Titania, and his children behind to search for his ghosts had been one thing… leaving behind Sonorae something completely different.

He did not dare linger in Paradise after the gray stallion’s defeat. Quickly, he scooped his little prize up and rushed back into the ocean as though the very sands of Paradise now burned his hooves. He kept his emerald eyes on the distant shores, forcing his long legs to strike against the ocean currents in an effort to keep his muscular body afloat above the rise of his guilt. He could not look back for fear of completely losing his resolve. He could not face his beautiful dove. He could not stomach the sight of her despair directed at him. She would be better off far from his personal turmoil and self destruction.

Pushing aside the remaining thoughts of the beautiful, gentle flea-bitten mare, Rougaru turns to gaze at the newest member of the Desert herd. ”Welcome home.” he growls, a wolfish grin sliding into place across his whiskered lips as he wades through the shallow waters, herding and prodding the painted girl up the beach. Mahogany ears tilt backwards, disappearing amid the endless tangle of his cream and caramel mane. ”I doubt it needs to be said but I will say it anyway.” he continues, his smile growing into an impish grin, ”Resistance is futile.”