Rather than the fearful reaction Evrain might have expected from a mare who'd just been approached in the dead of night by a stranger, the pale woman merely jumped in surprise. He did not expect to see the impish grin that curled her lips, nor did he expect her to make the first move towards him. It was only a single step that shrunk the gap between them by a fraction, but as she moved forward he felt inexplicably tugged towards her in response, his own
step nearly mirroring hers.
'I mean, yes that is where I meant to end up, I think.'
"You think?" he echoed her with a low chuckle. She seemed confident, unafraid even, as she stood in the face of what some might consider certain danger. Most reasonable mares, Evrain thought, would have turn tail and run fast and far from any stallion who snuck up on them. The fact that she did not only piqued the painted king's curiosity and fascination. He risked another small step towards her, as if tugged closer by an invisible thread, muscles twitching with excitement and nervousness as he drank in the sight of her bathed in pale moonlight.
"Supposed to? Probably not. I'm supposed to be home watching over my herd but instead I'm here because... well, you can only look at the same scenery for so long before it starts to drive you a little mad." A low chuckle fell from his lips. His tone was casual as he answered, practically shrugging off the question. But that was the truth of the situation. He'd been tired of being cooped up in the Hills, his mind and soul demanding a reprieve from the monotony that had set in.
He wanted to take another step, to get close enough to touch and entice, but he knew it would be too easy to give her the wrong impression if he got too close too quickly. Evrain didn't want to be perceived as a careless young stallion looking only to chase the tail of any mare he crossed paths with, unbothered by potential consequences. He didn't want her to think he was one of the many predators skulking in the shadows, claws scratching and teeth gnashing, biding time until the moment was perfect to strike and drag her away to the sand trap of his home.
No, he didn't want to be a wolf, not when he didn't need to be.
So he stayed put and observed her from his spot, shifting his stance into something more leisurely, more open. A curious expression flicked across his face as he asked, "How about you? Why are you here?"
|