Rivaini

I was expecting Faolain…

The silence - and Rivaini’s solitude - were over too quickly, and she turned to face the owner of the voice with more courage than she’d known to possess. While the russet canvas of her skin still quivered almost imperceptibly with fear, not a flicker of it showed in her ocean-blue eyes. Of the emotions she felt, their fathomless depths revealed only curiosity - and while Rougaru appeared to size her up, so the silver bay drank in the details of his own appearance that distance had previously concealed from her.

From this closer vantage, the illusion of size that had been created by his match against the smaller and more delicate Faolain was lifted. While the Andalusian mare did not stand quite so tall as he, she did not need to tilt her chin upward to meet his gaze. And where the faded scars that covered his body had melded into the chocolate of his coat from the shadows of the jungle, they now stood out in starker contrast - particularly when compared to her own relatively-flawless skin. Rivaini had sparred, to be certain, and had on occasion defended those whom she loved when circumstances called for it. But she was a warrior more in spirit than in physical form - unconquerable far more in the strength of her conviction than in the power of her body. Without lifting a hoof against him, Rivaini knew that the king of Paradise was a formidable enemy - one whom she held even less hope of defeating than her beloved shadow.

Such was the intensity of Rougaru’s gaze that she had begun to feel uncomfortable; as exposed as if she stood bare before him, the silver flag of her tail already lifted in invitation. And so when the moment broke with the offer of a whiskered muzzle, she was able to accept the invitation gratefully. And even though the echo of a shudder could not be entirely repressed at the physical contact, when she spoke, she spoke bravely. “No,and I am not so naive as to believe that you would,” Rivaini responded, sotto. “I may be new to the islands, but I am not new to the world and its ways. Nothing is ever given freely… but for the right cost, almost anything can be gained, hmm?”

Ending the last words with a coy tilt of her head, she stepped forward - ignoring the shout of protest that echoed through the silence of her thoughts - and let her shoulder brush his. Let her muzzle drop to rake teeth gently across the dip of his withers. Unseen and unshed tears burned in her lungs, and her skin crawled, but Rivaini was no fool. Temptation was the only way to win this small victory, and the chance of success was much greater if she acted the part. That Rougaru had withdrawn after the battle instead of immediately claiming his prize indicated that there was some kind of agreement to wait - but if she could ally herself with the powerful force of his hormones, then perhaps he would settle for the prize that was immediately before him, and leave the black ‘Teke unclaimed. “And if you had found me sooner, would your challenge have been different? Could you have been tempted to fight for a different prize - or is your heart so set on the Ridge’s little shadow?”

Her lips traveled briefly down the ridge of his spine. The chocolate skin tasted of sweat, the forest’s loam, and some indescribable musk that was not unpleasant, but no less repellant to her in that it was not the more welcome taste of Faolain. She backed away quickly, hoping that the fire in her eyes could be mistaken for desire instead of the anger that was its true source. “I suppose our conversation would be easier if you had a name to call me. I am Rivaini - and I know that you are Rougaru. And as you may have guessed, I am here to discuss the arrangement that you sought in your battle with Faolain.” Nostrils flared as she inhaled deeply, steeling herself for the difficult words that she must speak. Faolain, I’m sorry, she thought wistfully as she exhaled, shifted her body to better display it for the Atlantean king, and gave the silver ribbon of her tail a seductive flick.

“Agree to claim me in her stead, and there need be no wait for your prize. No opportunities for the one you’ve won to elude you. And beyond that, we may even be able to reach additional concessions - should they prove to be necessary.”

Oh, the ache of her heart squeezing in her chest. Not for herself, as she made this sacrifice willingly - but for Faolain, who would not understand.

But perhaps - when this business was done - that much could be changed.

mare / five / silver bay tobiano / andalusian mix / 15.3hh