Larka loved her new home. Many nights had passed, in which she stuck close to her grullo stallion’s side. The silence of the ridge soothed her, and the rain kept her company in the night. She had traveled deep within the land of the ridge, familiarizing herself with the little nooks and crannies and secret places it had to offer. Ultimately, it was nice to have some place to call her own.

Though, it wasn’t her own, it was Nikola’s. A fact that seemed blatantly clear as Nikola plunged into the ocean that day. She watched him go into the distance. And she knew she wasn’t captive to the ridge’s shore, but she didn’t want to plunge back into the waves. But she would wait on him. The black and white mare did not stray far from the ridge’s coast, ready to greet him when he came home from whatever business he needed to take care of. She remained at the rocks as the sun set and darkness flew through the land. Loyal little Larka, waiting for her stallion to return. As she stood, sleep began to overtake her, and soon she had drifted off, ever looking toward the horizon.

Dreams did not plague her, she slept lightly hearing every noise on the precious beach. Then, a voice called out in her dreams causing her to wake. She listened for a moment, standing up from her blended place in the rocks, then recognizing the voice as Nikola’s he traveled toward him. Stopping a few paces away to observe the new mare. A wave of controlled jealousy washed over her. Jealousy, that she had always been taught to push down just below the surface. But it wasn’t a, he’s all mine type of jealousy, it was an insecure jealousy. She felt insecure because she didn’t know her place in his life. It was something that might not be defined for a long time. But, she felt something, rumbling deep in her heart that one day might overflow. But, hiding that emotion she trotted toward the bay mare and her grullo stallion, ears pricked in a friendly way.

She felt less shy, here in her ridge, she knew she would always be here, and she would have to speak to horses that arrived. So with a boldness that had not been seen yet, she made eye contact (if only for a moment) and spoke words that felt bold but came softly. ”Hello.” She told the other mare, tilting her head slightly. ”I’m Larka.” Her voice then felt strangled so she adverted her gaze toward Nikola. The stallion seemed soaked, and there was an emotion on him she just couldn’t place. ”Nikola…” She spoke slowly, longing to touch him, to make sure he was alright. But, she fought her emotions. Such clinginess had no place here. She didn’t say another word, but waited for the replies that would come.

LARKA