Arcana's mind rests in a state somewhere between sleep and consciousness. Visions of her fears flash behind her eyelids each time she drfts off to slumber.

The nightmares are always the same. She sees a stallion's handsome face, at first triumphant, then contorts with rage. Arcana, always surrounded by kindness, never saw it coming. The stallion turns to her son with his nostrils wrinkled in disgust, and in a moment that feels like forever the stallion descends upon the painted colt. He grabs him by the neck and shakes the life from him in a shocking display of violence.

Arcana is only half aware of Orhan's approach. An ear flickers, but she does not stir until she feels the weight of his chin pressing down on her wither. At this she shifts her weight from one hind leg to the other. She knows who this is by smell alone but Arcana feels compelled to open one eye and confirm. She turns her head just enough to catch a glimpse of his tawny coat.

"Orhan.", she mumbles. There is a tired quiver in her voice. "Can't you sleep?"

For just a moment, her lover's touch keeps the nightmares at bay.