It isn’t until the stallion touches her face again, nudging her nose skyward and encouraging her to further reclaim her confidence before once more trailing his lips down her damp face that Rhadra realizes he, too, has wept. She had thought the shaking through his body as she stood, pressed blind against his neck, had been caused by her own grief. And perhaps, even though she was too absorbed in her own sorrow to notice at the time, she is not wrong in her assumption that her own pain had played a part in easing some of his.
As he withdraws she lifts her eyes to his, notes the fierce light burning within his gaze, and wonders what burdens he must carry. Thus far he has offered her not a word, and yet his every action has been like a gift. Now, as he gestures away from this open field bordering the shoreline and toward the trees at her back, Rhadra feels hope unfurl again in her heart. She must have been mistaken to have assumed he did not mean to bring her to his herd, and she praises him silently for having taken the time to comfort and reassure her. Now they could move on, for whatever gave him pause initially does not seem to have changed his mind.
Rhadra turns, and rather than walk before him as she had attempted before when she assumed he meant to drive her (but he had meant to drive her, hadn’t he? Reflecting in a quiet corner of her mind, she knows she recognized his body language. So why did he stop?), the black mare swings her hindquarters around to bump her hip against his, so they might move shoulder to shoulder, together, as they walk toward the ample grove he’s indicated.
Her eyes are trained ahead, one ear flickering toward the silent stallion in case he decides suddenly to speak. She is eager to meet the herd. Perhaps one of the broodmares can explain to her his behavior, and help her understand that confusing moment before her tears. For now, as they reach the sunny grove, she inclines her head toward the stallion and leans her shoulder against his for the span of a step, hoping to coax him into conversation as she introduces herself in a quiet, but confident voice: “I am Rhadra.” |