“Of course,” he breathes, swept up in her conviction. Of course she must always try. Bozena is a champion, one more noble than he: she defends strangers, while Kendry has only ever included his mother in the circle of those he would protect, hoof and tooth, with no quarter. He’s sparred, he’s battled, he’s raided and assisted those he called “brother” in the Lagoon, but in the past he would not go to any great lengths to defend another, especially if it meant risk to himself.
Now, however, wandering the moonlit meadow and becoming ever more certain of his purpose in life, Kendry realized he is willing— no, eager and deliberately intent upon widening that personal circle. It is one more reason he believes their meeting must be fate. Bozena’s selflessness is admirable, and for someone who has not made it a habit to go out of his way to be kind Kendry finds her compassion for others attractive. He’s drawn to that nobility, fascinated and intrigued and humbled by this grace he knows he does not yet carry and yet which rides so naturally within this great dark mare.
She shifts closer, and Kendry mirrors her movement to bring them to almost touching— that last gap he will leave for her to cross. His heart thunders within him, drumming so powerfully he’s certain it must be audible, and Kendry’s legs tremble with the effort of standing still when everything within him is clamoring for closeness, for the soft give of flesh against flesh and the heat of her skin against his, the light caress of lips and gentle skimming teeth, for the thousand subtle cues of the body that are best read by touch. He wants so badly to bury his nose in her mane and breathe her in but a stronger ache than that restrains him.
Kendry draws in a shaky breath. He’s not interested in a singular moonlit romp with Bozena. He wants more nights like these, yes, and that closeness with it, but more than that he wants the certainty of her at his shoulder, to know that if he looks back there will be a second set of tracks beside his own in whatever land they walk, to know that when they are apart it will not be for some undetermined amount of time hinging on the whims of fate but that they will come together, again, as constant as the tide. He wants Bozena to share those desires.
Overwhelmed by this tumult, there is a bit of a pause as Kendry reminds himself of the conversation at hand. It seems inane compared to the potential roaring for acknowledgement within him, but he tempers his passion with a slower, steadier inhale. Still, the strength of his emotions is evident as his voice rumbles into the night, “I’ve seen you sooner than he, and I’m glad of it. The Lagoon is a poor place to find decent companionship, hence...” he gestures at the meadow around them. “My search for better company here.” He arches his neck again, nostrils flaring, and regards Bozena boldly as he says, “I have since found the best.” |