“What was that?” Phoebe whispered to her mother as she stuck tightly to Melisma’s flank. Though it was the second time the girl had asked the question, the midnight colored mare did not answer. When she had found the intruder was not the stranger she had thought come to be a threat, Melisma had slunk away in shame. It had only been instinct after what she had undergone not to let it happen again, yet somehow it had been wrong.
“It was a mistake.” Melisma replied finally, stopping to catch her breath and look back to make sure Phoebe was okay. It was probably the millionth time she had checked the red girl over, afraid she had somehow gotten wounded in the fray, but she was always looked at with wide mismatched eyes that shown with only curiosity. There was no scent of blood, and the girl did not favor anything. Only that she was growing tired, her legs struggling harder to keep up.
“We will be reaching shade soon where you can eat and sleep.” Melisma said, reaching back to nuzzle at her daughter’s forelock before carrying on. Only as they reached one of the oasis did the mare finally let out a heavy sigh, glad to be back to such a comforting place. The only place that she would call home.
Tucking herself into the shade, Melisma’s eyes and ears stayed on high alert as Phoebe nursed. After the swim and the excitement, the girl was absolutely starving. But as she finished, her little eyes could barely stay open. Long legs practically collapse beneath her as she folds them up, laying down against her mother’s front legs before sprawling out on her side. Instantly out, Melisma can’t help but smile. Her embarrassment fades away in this moment as only love burns through her. Softly tracing her lips over Phoebe’s side, Melisma was glad that she was okay and finally where she was meant to be.
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