He knows she can sense it. Sense him. The way he moves, breathes一it all betrays him. Tells a story he would rather keep undercover.

The shore is blissfully white and bright from the sun. He can hear in the distance birds and other animals making their tiny sounds. The rip and roar of the ocean is a faint hum in his ears. It bites his fetlocks, splashes against his knees. If this was paradise, then he could be inclined to believe in it. So very different from the cold and ice of his homeland islands. Çevik watches the mare come closer to him.

He can smell the sand and heat on her. There’s something playful and a bit dangerous in the depths of her eyes. The spotted stallion gives another smile.

“Show me, aye?” Çevik rumbles and watches the tilt of her head. How her mane slicks down against her curved neck. All beautiful.

If she wanted to engage with him, he would not hold back. He was young, after all, and full of life beneath his spotted coat. “You can show me whatever you like, pretty lady. I’m not shy.”

His tone is flirtatious, playful. He gives her a sly sort of grin, tucking his head against his chest to arch his muscular neck. It was probably stupid to follow someone into an unknown territory but what’s the worst that could happen? He was brave and dumb enough to get himself out, he couldn’t possibly be taken prisoner by such a lovely young thing.

Slowly he comes up from the water onto the shore. His hooves sliding deep into the hot sand, he shakes his coat off and snorts water from his nose. “Please,” he says to her, “lead the way. I expect a full tour with commentary.”