Ever since having unexpectedly opened up to Cain beneath the shade of the palms, the day she had arrived in the Desert and kept to her word, Vihaan had felt as though a weight had been lifted from her. Though anxiety was ever-present within her chest, making it hard for her to breath sometimes, she had regained her usual spark, and had taken to exploring the Desert with enthusiasm, careful never to stray too far from Cain, for her own safety, and peace of mind for both of them. She’d seen some other mares from a distance, but had yet to approach them and introduce herself properly. In any case, they were preoccupied with their newborn foals, and Vihaan didn’t hold it against them.

After all, her own time was drawing close.

The bravehearted dunalino mare was just quenching her thirst at the oasis when she felt her child shift within her. "Hush, little one," she murmured softly under her breath, humming a sweet melody that her mother had sung to her when she’d been much younger. Vihaan wandered away, but before she’d even left the cool shade of the leafy palms swaying in the breeze, a ripple of pain washed over her, so intense that her knees buckled. "No, no, no," she wheezed frantically, chest tightening in panic. Not now… She wasn’t ready. Another wave of pain, and her legs buckled. Her copper eyes rolled in terror. "C-Cain… Cain!" Desperately, the labouring mare tossed her head, searching for any sign of the black and white stallion.

Only when he appeared did Vihaan lie down, her chest heaving with rampant panic, tears in her eyes. "I can’t do this," she sobbed, rolling onto her side, wincing as the pain increased in both intensity and frequency. "If anything -," she struggled to get the words out. "Promise that if anything happens to me…" A gasp of sorrow, and she weakly turned her head, fixing her dilated eyes upon his face, and drawing strength from his presence. She was not alone. "Look after him always." With a groan of pain, her head flopped back to the ground, and Vihaan closed her eyes, and dreamed she heard her mother’s voice. Breathe, child. Just breathe. Deep even breaths. That’s what the frightened dunalino focused on. And Cain. His scent, his presence, the sound of his voice…

Vihaan lost track of how long she lay there beneath the dappled shadows of the palm trees. She was exhausted, but the sound of bleating cries stirred her into action. Pulling herself up, Vihaan moved instinctively to clean him. Only after she was satisfied did she pause, the weariness of the birthing showing in the slump of her shoulders and the tired lines gracing her face. There were fresh tears welling in her eyes, and despite herself, she couldn’t hold back. It was with relief that she sobbed now, turning to Cain for comfort and reassurance, before she looked back at their son, her whole face shining, beautiful and bright with the immense love she felt for the tiny, vulnerable, handsome little colt tucked into her side.

"Just look at him." she whispered in awe, unable to look away. Was this how her mother had felt, when she’d been born? "Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?" She turned, a softness and warmth settling upon her face, half-hidden as it was by tousled strands of her mane, affection gleaming in her eyes as she reached for Cain once more. "I’m okay… And he is too. Your son…Our beautiful boy." The smile that graced her muzzle was genuine, and the joy she felt in this moment was all-encompassing, shining out of her like the very sun.

Vihaan