It was easy to pretend.

A wolf in disguise. Always ready for blood. If he let himself一

Çevik sighs gently and allows the thought to roll off his shoulders. He would not be overcome with the poison in his veins. The blood running through him was chaos and disaster. Resistance was all he could hope for. Long enough to live.

He watches the mare. Her slow movements, the tilt of her head. How a strand of her forelock brushes over her dark eye and he can see beauty in it. There’s a subtle nod of appreciation.

“Paradise,” his voice is thick like honey and half as sweet. The spotted stallion gives her a little grin, enough to let her know he’s onto her. Whatever it is she is trying to do. “How can you make a bold claim about one land being paradise? Or is it only in name and nothing else?” Çevik chuckles and takes a short step towards her.

There’s no fear on him, no hesitation. He comes to her open and simple and plain. His dark eyes watch her body. He notes how sleek and perfect she looks. “Sanctuary? No,” it comes out slowly and he pauses to chew on his thoughts for a split second.

“There’s no sanctuary for someone like me,” Çevik shakes off his coat. Dapples of water and salt flew from off him.”But …” he stepped onto the shore, closer to her now than he had been just seconds ago. “Maybe you could change my mind.”