Friends. Avangeline had never had a friend before. Well, actually, she thought that was probably a lie. She could consider Al-Hattaal her friend, could she not? He had vowed to protect her and they spent so much of their time together. But Avangeline hadn’t told him her horrible truth, her worries, as she had just told Björn and she wondered if he would have the same reaction Björn had. She couldn’t be sure, but a pinch of worry in her chest told her it wouldn’t.
Avangeline’s black tipped ears flicked as Björn spoke again, complimenting her name. Heat was quick to flush her cheeks, a shy smile on her mouth as she ducked her head and swept her gaze to the floor between them rather than on the bald-faced colt-stallion. She’d never been told she was pretty before, at least, not by someone other than the mother she could remember. Suddenly, Avangeline wasn’t certain what she wanted to do. Half of her wanted to dart off, giggling shyly, and the other wanted to linger near Björn for as long as he might allow. She truly, truly enjoyed his company. His friendship.
An idea struck her suddenly and Avangeline’s eyes moved back to his face, even as a little quiver tightened in her gut to look upon him and it seemed all her lips wanted to do were turn into a smile. “Björn… do you… live somewhere? On one of the islands?” She asked, wondering. She knew she would need to return to Al-Hattaal’s side soon, before he awoke and wondered where she’d gone – she worried he’d see her speaking with Björn and get the wrong idea, as he’d promised to protect her in these islands. But if Björn lived somewhere she could perhaps see him again… maybe it was an island Al-Hattaal had not yet searched for his sister and therefore she could slyly convince him they should extend their search there when, really… she only wanted to see Björn again.
Avangeline
three year old buckskin akhal-teke mare