Quickly, he forgot about everything troubling him. He forgot his shoulder hurt, he forgot all about Xiomara and the fact that he lost his first fight. Legs stretch out as far as they could go as he catches up to his rustic maiden. She slows, but he keeps pace which almost causes him to crash into a tree. Ironclad leaps to the side to dodge the near embarrassment as he continues to chase his beauty. He could see her stopped up ahead so he pulls up his head as his legs slow way down. The thuds of his hooves turn to soft pitter patter as he slowly approaches her from behind.

Royal blues trace the curve of her back right before she turns to face him. Eyes instantly go to hers, but then they fall to her lips as she speaks. A shiver runs down his spine as her words reach his perked ears. A smile dances on his lips, but it quickly fades. It had not even been a month since they met so he was still learning about her, but something in his body yearns for her touch. He lusts for her more than anyone. She allows his touch, she speaks to him in such warm tones, and she says such doting things. This was far beyond anything he ever had with Cherokee and even Xiomara.

He could not touch Xiomara like this.

He traces the wound on her cheek as he remembers how it looked the day they met. The wound was fresh back then and though it looked better, it was still there. He wonders if she would always have it as a terrible reminder of the world she came from. She comes towards him as he has steps into the rule of a mature stallion. No longer a ‘boy’ or ‘too young’ he was a grown stallion. Her muzzle caresses his cheek which turns into affectionate kisses down his neck. He felt the power in her lips even though she kissed him so gently. He felt her love even if she didn’t say it aloud.

His body grew intensely hot once she makes it to his spine. Her lips trail down his back and soon he feels the press of her body against him. Her warmth shields him from the cold wind that brakes through the trees. His body shudders again as her hot breath warms the base of his tail. His nose creeps slowly towards her rump as her aroma intoxicates his sense. “Someday I want to know more about the place you come from, but right now it doesn’t matter.” He whispers, loud enough to her to hear, but soft enough to keep this a private conversation.

”I have really enjoyed meeting you and I am excited for our future.” He lips at the base of her tail gently before pulling his head up. He stares out into the abyss of the woods. ”Your heart is very comforting and you are very beautiful.” It felt cheesy to say, but he was still finding a good way to flirt with the fairer sex. Ironclad pulls away from her, turning himself around, and taking a few steps past her. He turns around so that he could face her head on as his nose reaches out to exchange breaths. ”I think that wound makes you look even more beautiful. Unique, unlike all the other mares that came through these islands. I will always be able to find you because of that mark.” He pulls back his head with a smile.

”So instead of keeping your wound as a reminder of your past how about we keep it as a reminder of me? I, Ironclad de Warsaw claim my mark upon you, Kvothe.” He reaches out to nip at her cheek. ”You are now forever mine.” With that, he nuzzles her shoulder.