| but it’s not burning for you
As soon as the words had left her lips, Everglow heard it: the slow, thunderous crescendo of approaching hooves. The sound filled her first with cold dread, then hot, fierce rage. As Vihaan uttered a curse that she did not understand, Everglow’s ears twisted back and she crowded closer to the mare. “That bastard,” she muttered, but then Vihaan ripped away from her, screaming a cry of defiance that hurt Everglow’s ears. In that moment, Everglow felt a sense of awe and respect for Vihaan. Here was a mare who did not know her from any other stranger, and yet she was fighting as if her own life depended on it.
Then the stallion spoke words that made Everglow nauseous to hear, and she caught the coppery scent of blood above the stallion’s heavy musk. Was that the other stallion’s work, or hers? I hope it was mine, she thought. Her lip curling in disgust, she barked, “Shut up, you fucking creep!” For the life of her, she could not understand his obsession. Everglow, of course, had no idea what she looked like, having been blind from birth, but she had always carried herself with confidence. Was that what had attracted him to her? But then, if he was so disgusted by her disability, why did he persist? Why did he feel so entitled to her?
Everglow knew it was useless to wonder, however. Some horses - especially stallions - were just straight-up assholes. There was no point in trying to rationalize their actions. She knew this from experience very well. Damn you, Iska. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.
Before Everglow could throw more insults at the stallion (for she had plenty in mind), Vihaan spoke again. Everglow listened, first with intense pride and affection, but this slowly gave way mounting horror when she realized what Vihaan was building up to. Her lips parting in dismay, Everglow could not stop herself. “No!,” she cried with indignation, but Vihaan did not stop. The mare was taking herself on a fast track to ruination, and all because of Everglow.
Everglow would not stand for this nonsense.
“Vihaan, don’t be stupid!” she spat. “We can just go, right now. Let’s swim to Luthien. If he follows us, my dad will pummel him into the earth.” Despite the exasperation in her voice, there was also an undercurrent of panic. Everglow could not - would not - let Vihaan willingly take the abuse that this stallion had planned to bestow on herself. Before she could continue to object, however, she became aware of the presence of another: the second stallion had followed. Good. But, wait - there was the scent of more blood. And he was not attacking any longer.
“You!” Everglow addressed him, her voice like a whip. “What are you waiting for!? Kick his ass!”
4; mutt; palomino; 15.1hh; blind
shamwari x brienne |