A nose of contempt pushed from her lips and Aarushi rolled her eyes, giving her head the smallest of shakes. Flattery did nothing to or for her and did not woo her to this stallion’s side. Aarushi had one task put to her in this life and she would carry it through until Aadhira’s death and then follow him into the afterlife. Bearing foals and domesticity were two things never to come to her and she was not remiss. Aarushi knew what meaning her life had, it was only a shame Aadhira seemed to have forgotten so easily. Taking him from these wretched islands was the only way to remind him.

“Your life is not mine.” Aarushi said simply in explanation and pushed for the true reason she wanted to speak to Rougaru, pleased he had eyes for Priya still. “My purpose is greater than such a,” her heavily accented voice trailed off as she thought of the word she sought in the common tongue, “simple thing as jealousy.” She almost appeared irritated to have been placed under such an assumption.

“I am my brother’s rakshak – protector – and his closeness to Priya brings him to danger I cannot allow.” The danger being what foolishness had caused him to leap forth and threaten an unknown stallion for the sake of Priya. Why could he not understand this life these other horses lived was not meant for them? Did he not remember those first few months under the desert night, hiding among dunes as their maasa wasted away for his sake?

“I would help you take her.” Aarushi said simply, as if she wasn’t planning something her brother would see as betrayal; as if she wasn’t taking Priya’s freedom as something she could decide. “You will come while we three stand together and drive Priya into your home. I will stand between you and Aadhira when he attempts to stop you. When Priya is gone, I will take him from these islands for good.”