He should have known better than to try to be modest with the pretty thoroughbred. She was always one to say it like it is. Her sarcasm made him chuckle as he reached out to nudge playfully at her shoulder. "You're too young to make such jokes. I'd hate to see you miserable just cause you can't visualize my handsome face." He lifted a brow, wondering how she'd react. His brown eyes twinkled with humor.
He knew she worried for him but he was trying to keep the mood light. He'd gotten away pretty lightly, despite it all. The other stallion had been bigger than he was and packed a good punch, so he counted himself lucky. When she spoke next, he saw the look on her face and his own sobered as he lightly touched his nose to her. "I know I can't tell you not to worry. You'd probably just do it to spite me at that point. And I can't tell you I won't do anything more to worry you cause battles happen and I will continue to meet them all head-on. But don't worry yourself to gray hair or, god forbid, balding. I'd hate to see the sun burns you'll get in a place like this with no hair." He lifted a brow, waiting to see how she'd react to his humor, hoping to pull her back to him.
He hated when she turned her face away. He didn't want any distance between them. He'd fought too hard to get as close as he was to her. He didn't want to lose any of that. As she looked around the desert, he assumed she was looking for the tresspasser to make sure he was gone. He smiled at her concern before letting out a breath. "Twinge, my daughter." His jaw tightened a little as he said it, a father's rage coiling once again in his belly at the thought of some brute touching his daughter after trying to force her away from her home. When she did turn back to him, Cain searched her pretty features. He hated seeing all the worry there, wishing he could just caress it all away.
He saw the unspoken questions and scowled, wishing he could give her the answer she wanted. But he couldn't guarantee the stallion wouldn't come back again. He never could make that guarantee. But he didn't want her to withdraw because of fear. He liked seeing the black mare come out of her comfort zone and embrace more. "I cannot see the future and I don't decide the fates of battle, but I can tell you I'll never stop fighting for this land or my herd. I just ask that you never stop fighting, either. I won't give up. Don't give up on me." He whispered the last words as he met her haunting green gaze.
Cain_stallion_7yo_Gypsy Vanner Mutt_16.3hh_black and white tobiano coat_white mane & tail_dark brown eyes_bound to none_Salem Desert
Father to: Akello(xVihaan), Legolas(xGeneva), Paisley(xPrimrose), Carbon(xGeneva), Zena(xZubeia), Twinge(xHarlequin), Vulcan-adopted (xBerit), Enoch(xBerit), Ahimsa(xVihaan)
photo by JNix@Shutterstock
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