BE MY FRIEND, HOLD ME
WRAP ME UP, UNFOLD ME

Priya’s heart fluttered in her chest at the way Aadhira looked at her when he heard her voice. He came to her, and the words that fell from his lips when he reached her were enough to make her melt. He was sorry? He had missed her?

It seemed too good to be true. Had their tryst been just one day of pleasure she could not have been angry for him to never return to her, but there was something romantic in the back of her mind that had always hoped since that he just might.

Her smile grew wider, and she accepted his touch gratefully, running her nose against the side of his face before he pulled away, as if shy. Then a set of sharp, unfamiliar sounds made Priya do the same, and she glanced to the mare behind him – her gaze was hard and unnerving, and clearly focused on Priya. Embarrassed, she ducked her head and dropped her gaze quickly.

But Aadhira took control – he seemed so much more confident now, than when she had met him that day on the Crossing. Was it the company of his sister that made him strong? Or were they simply no longer strangers? She could not ponder that now, however, as Aadhira’s somewhat intimidating sister required Priya’s full attention.

Carefully, Priya looked back at the other mare, trying to look her in the eyes this time. Priya’s own were wide with both nervousness and awe – to meet one twin had seemed lucky, now to see a pair together felt even more fortuitous, but the look on Aarushi’s face let Priya know that now was probably not the time to ask her about that.

The accusation was a surprise to Priya, and her expression showed it. Her dark eyes flitted between brother and sister – Aadhira looked annoyed by his sister’s words. Disobeying her? She sounded like his mother – but then again, from the looks of her, Priya probably wouldn’t have disobeyed her either.

“I, uh, I-I am?” she began, cursing herself for the stutter that trembled from her lips. “I hope I haven’t caused any trouble – it’s just so nice to see you again, and to meet you, Aarushi.”

priya
marwari . blue roan . 13.2hh