I hated to be apart from him. Even when I had gone to see Naz I had felt a part of my soul screaming at the separation, demanding that I return to his side and to his touch. Even now, as my own haze had begun to wane in it's demand for his touch and caress, I wanted him near to me. If anything, Rigel's stories of lesser wives and their purpose to me had only made me more jealous of my husband, to make sure that he chose a lesser wife that was worthy of not only him, but the child I hoped that we had created.

Secure in my oasis, comforted by the nearness of the other brothers, I grazed quietly while I waited for his return. I did not yet feel comfortable walking amongst strange males without him at my side to make me bold enough to venture to the Crossing, and so I had stayed behind where I could more easily be protected. It was a welcome thought, to be guarded once more. Where others may balk or chafe at the idea, it filled me with a sense of security that I had missed with my upbringing.

My love's call spirals over the Dunes and I eagerly return it, nearly stumbling in my haste to climb the dunes that protect the oasis he had chosen for me. Once atop the sands, I rush toward him, my mane and tail proud banners against the guileless blue of the sky above as I gallop across the land to his side. He stands with Atair, as he should, for I know it was the two of them that had left for the Crossing together, but near to them linger two mares that I do not know.

Warily I eye them, my gaze flicking between them and the boys as I approach. They were clearly beautiful, the small black mare a glittering gem against the golden sands with beautiful white ribbing on her sides. Her companion seemed taller, if only by her posture, and was radiant in her defiant beauty. Allah's mark sat proudly on her face, a testament to her chosen status in my homeland, and a slippery sick twist of jealousy tangled in my gut.

"My beloved," I say in greeting. I know it is unladylike of me, but as I chastely settle myself at Antares' side with a small exchange of breath, I reach out to linger a touch on the skin of his shoulder before pressing my teeth there subtly pinching his skin. Point made, at least in my eyes, I withdrew to offer a smile to them. As much as I wanted to keep my Husband to myself, I was delighted at the prospect of female company, especially if they had come to be betrothed to the other brothers. Rigel, as the closest brother to me, was my special case, but none of them were truly exempt from my desire to pair them off.

"It's a pleasure to have you here, although you'll have to take Atair's teasing with a grain of salt," I offer to them softly. "It seems he does not want anyone to distract you from his own beauty."

My teasing is gentle, but not without purpose. Atair is perhaps the hardest of the brothers for me to understand, and not given to long conversations like Rigel or simple joy such as Aldebaran. I sense that he, like Antares, had suffered much in the wars, but I lacked the connection with which to help him. Shrewdly I watch for his reaction, and theirs, to see if something had begun between them in their first meeting. I allow my gaze to rest on Atair for a moment, an encouraging smile ghosting acrost my lips.