Rivaini

Pale eyes sparkling, Rivaini met the chocolate stallion’s accusing glance with an expression of wide-eyed innocence. And though there had never been chemistry between the pair insofar as physical desire, in that moment something entirely different passed between them. Something that might have been admiration or understanding... or possibly even both. The silver bay knew that Rougaru was aware of her scheme, and she suspected that a part of him even appreciated the defiant nature of her relationship with him. In turn, he would witness the tense slope of her shoulders relax and the thin curve of her smile warm. Her heart would never belong to Paradise’s ruler, but her friendship— that much Rougaru had finally begun to earn.

Not that she wouldn’t still make him fight for every inch of ground, of course.

“Why Rougaru, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Rivaini replied in a saccharine voice, tossing her pale forelock out of one eye. “You know that Faolain and I would never dream of being anything but hospitable to an ally of the Ridge.” Glancing at the black ‘Teke, the red woman’s smile transformed, showing a depth of passion that— despite their brief tryst seasons ago— Rougaru would never know. To Rivaini, the only love in the act had been that which had led her to spare the slender mare from his unwelcome bargain. She’d even hated the mahogany stallion after, for a time. But loving Faolain— and the dark colt whom the silver bay considered theirs— had left no room for her to cling to that enmity.

Pensive, Rivaini watched and listened to the self-proclaimed wolf interact with his son. Rougaru was quick to recognize the boy’s strength and courage, but seemed to overlook the cleverness that was his greatest virtue. Watching his sire with bright orange eyes, she did not doubt that Hades was already planning his next mischief. This suspicion was confirmed when the brown chestnut grabbed for the dangling strands of Rougaru’s mane as he ruffled the foal’s own flame-colored ruff, missing his target by bare inches. Faolain’s terse warning had preceded it by a heartbeat— the Ridge’s primary Guardian possessed an innate understanding of Hades that left even his mother in awe.

Their visitor moved on to speak of a visit to Paradise, mentioning another of his children with the familiar pride that Rivaini was finally able to understand. Of course, even knowing that Rougaru would not harm the boy did not stop the surge of fierce, protective possessiveness that surged through her at the very suggestion of her son leaving the Ridge. Wisely, she held her tongue until the worst of it had passed— allowing Fae to speak first. After the shadow mare’s dubious quip, it was easier for Rivaini to unlock her tight jaw and say something that wasn’t a hostile refusal. “Perhaps in a season or two,” was the most that she would commit herself to the idea. And perhaps when Hades was older, it would be easier to part with him for longer than the brief windows that were the most she could bear now.

Rougaru’s attention turned back to her, his confident manner slipping as he asked after her well-being. The fact that he was more comfortable around the teeth of his own ferocious cub than the gentle fire of that child’s mother was not lost to Rivaini, and it restored some of the old familiar tension that had been lost in their moment of shared laughter. The russet mare could not help to wonder whether Rougaru’s concern implied that he might have motivations beyond the alliance that was their agreement. “Well enough,” she offered in a voice that wary but not unkind. “And the Ridge as well… for the most part.” Her body shifted unconsciously as Hades approached, bored enough by the conversation to seek out his post-nap meal. As his head disappeared beneath her belly, Rivaini spoke again— humor softening her expression again as she indicated the boy with a tip of her head.

“And if anyone gives us trouble— well, there's always the secret weapon.” Laughing softly, the bay mare let her tension ebb again. Whatever the future might hold could wait.

For now, she was content to simply enjoy the moments of peace while they lasted.

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