Always.

Aidoneus spoke, low enough that she almost missed it against the lapping of the waves and the pounding of hooves behind her. She did hear it, though, and clung to that always like a life preserver in a storm. He gave her his promise so readily, so freely… and yet, unlike the words of nearly all the lean desert breeds she’d run across since washing up on these foreign shores, she felt the sincerity of it and knew it to be true. Ak Burun, Maslakhat… they seemed as if they cared for her, and yet, parts of them still seemed closed-off. Kore left herself open to their charms, but every word from them felt so calculated, so intentional, as if each individual syllable had been meticulously scrutinized before being allowed to leave their lips. She could tell this promise was different, made without much forethought - and yet, she knew with absolute certainty that he would hold to it.

Before Kore had a chance to say anything else, Maslakhat was upon them. His golden body swerved to come between her and the draft, blocking their access to each other. The mare braced herself for the scolding she would surely get, her ears flattening against her head - but her name on his tongue was warm. This wasn’t something Kore was used to. Back in Eleusis, the rare times she’d been able to sneak out unattended, she was caught - either by her attendants, or by Demeter herself - and disciplined heartily for the trouble. Normally, it was just a reprimand and a guilt trip, or a plea for the health of her dam’s afflicted heart… but sometimes, especially as she’d grown into womanhood and her desire to wander increased, she’d been given a more physical punishment. Kore’s skin tingled with the memory of Demeter’s teeth on her hide, and she stepped a couple of paces back, even as Maslakhat turned icily towards Aidoneus. She had no reason to think the ‘Teke would hurt her, but old habits die hard. The body forgot much more slowly than the mind ever could, no matter how much it wanted to.

Aidoneus answered, and the rumble of his deep voice soothed Kore even from a distance away. She could feel herself calming in response, the frayed edges of her mind smoothing under the sound of him, and because her eyes never fully left his face, she caught the look he sent her way. Swallowing her fear, and emboldened under Aidon’s collaboration, Kore moved forward again, reaching her dark muzzle out to touch the shimmering flesh of her stallion’s shoulder.

“He speaks the truth, Maslakhat,” she said quietly, her words made carefully even, as if trying to tame a wild animal. “I had a nightmare, and came to the beach to think.” A small smile curved up the edges of her lips, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “When I got here, there he was, looking quite out-of-place. Lucky that I’ve been to the Crossing once before, hm?”

Kore sighed, almost imperceptibly, gathering up the last vestiges of her strength. Her breath rattled in her chest, and tears pricked at the back of her eyes, threatening to spill anew - but she tossed her head to the northern horizon, and took a few steps towards the water, glancing over the narrow point of her withers. “Shall we send him off?”

It was the last thing she wanted to do and the only thing she could do. With the leader of the Dunes now aware of his presence, they wouldn’t get another moment alone. Not here, at least.