The palomino weathered the storm of Sicily's words silently, standing unflinchingly by her side even as the force of her ire overwhelmed her careful composure. It was only when the grulla mare turned away from him that Rade finally spoke, his voice as calm and collected as if they had been exchanging pleasantries instead of verbal attacks. “Sicily..” He says musingly, tasting the name on his tongue, his speech taking on a seductive purr. “It wasn't my intention to offend you. As you might remember, there wasn't much opportunity to exchange names during our last encounter - you seemed more concerned with getting to know each other in more intimate ways,” Rade teased, his sultry voice seeking to wreak havoc on the steady rhythm of the mare's heart. “But I can certainly call you by name, if you would prefer that.”

Moving softly - placing his hooves with great care, as if expecting the ground to crack and crumble beneath his hooves - the palomino circled around the front of Sicily. Angling himself so as to face the dark mare directly, Rade pressed his muzzle to hers in a delicate touch. And then, sliding it beneath the grulla's jaw, he attempted to lift her head until she was looking into his eyes. “Would I offer you freedom if I was seeking to torment you?” He asked, his voice soft; barely more than a whisper. “You are correct to assume that there is a catch, but there is a price for everything in this life, Sicily. Every action you take, every word you speak. At least in this case, you would be certain of the cost before the time came that you would be expected to pay it.”

Releasing her with both his eyes and his body, Rade stepped back from the mare. Turning himself toward the shadows, as if he were preparing to lose himself in the darkness again. But instead the golden stallion stopped at the edge of the oblivion he had sought - hesitating, as if he could not decide whether or not to go. “Whether he cares or not, you are still the Swamp King's daughter,” he finally said, breaking the silence that hung between them. “And the child you carry is an heir of the Lagoon's new leader. Our fates are firmly intertwined - should he seek to destroy the last remnants of a family that remain to me, he will also have to destroy his own. That's what 'this' was about - not revenge.”

Rade wondered what she would make of this pronouncement, and whether it would drive her to consider his earlier offer.


stallion // mongrel // 15.1hh // 8 // palomino roan // reba
debonaire x neassa