Her trip to the commons had not been as much of a disappointment as Nyimara originally expected it to be. It seemed as of late, the islands were teaming with new horses smelling of far distant lands. Most, as usual, were useless in her eyes. Like so many of those she punished in the past, most of the horses appeared soft and timid, characteristics that the desert island did not welcome. Salem would chew these pitiful creatures up and spit out their bones to bleach in the sun until the sands washed them away. They were not even worth the effort it took to waste breath on them. The stallion at her side was another story altogether.

Were it any other, Nyimara would no doubt have never bothered to glance back to see if he still followed. The silver haired woman was sure in her cunning ways and most stallions were easy to read. Though Quinn had clearly found her seductive demeanor appealing, the dark hessian kept himself in check. He had agreed to join her but that did not stop her from glancing back at him from beneath the thick veil of her pale lashes just to make sure. There was something about him that intrigued her in a way that had long gone dormant. Though she had sworn off such fickle emotions for more practical matters, she could not help the swell of her breast when she met his strong, sky-blue gaze. He was dangerous… but it was a danger that she was willing to take on. Maybe it was just something about a guy with blue eyes? Hopefully this one would prove to be more beneficial to her plans than the last. The thought of Bjorn still left a sour taste on her tongue. Such potential and yet it had all been a fickle man’s empty breath.

No, Quinn is different. Fire burns in his pale eyes, a fire that taunts the savage creature in her tortured soul and leaves her breathless in the wake of its gaze. Even now, she can feel the twisting vines of possession reviving from where she had twisted them tightly to her cold heart. Hungrily, the beast stretches out its claws towards him and licks its lips with anticipation for the future. Even before they made landfall, she had her mind made up. He would be hers.

The decision is reaffirmed in her mind as together they climb from the rolling waves. Salt water clings to her skin, flattening the long tresses of her mane against the arching curve of her long neck. Finely dished head is given a shake to rid the excess droplets of water from her vision field and allow her to once more turn her scrutinizing gaze to her companion. Magnificent. Even drenched in ocean water, he holds an air of authority that brings the tiniest of smiles to her ashen lips. So much potential. His piercing gaze is on her own figure, once more drawing that ever present urge to flaunt the supple womanly curves of her body for his view. Slender legs pivot beneath her, the swell of her belly un-hindering the dancing gait of her movement. Foam-flecked waves splash beneath her obsidian hooves as the desert bred woman draws herself away from the reach of the ocean and once more on to the warm, dry sands of the beach. ”This way…” she purrs, tilting her head back towards him for a brief moment before beginning again, leading the way away from the flat beachscape and towards the narrow trail between the dunes. She does not glance back to assure herself he is following, the beast tells her that there is no need. He had come this far without turning tail and surely he was invested enough now to see the path she had set for him.

Silence holds between them, save for the occasional shuffle of sand or dislodged stone kicked loose by their hardened hooves. Over and down again she takes on each dune of sand as she does the sea, her powerful legs churning strongly through the waves of sand so that even the movement beneath her does not cause disruption to her steps. As they top the final rise that looked down onto the shaded oasis of palms and acacia trees, Nyimara slows to a halt and waits patiently for Quinn to come abreast. ”Even in the worse sandstorms there is still water to be found here. It is here where I like to gather the herd in the hottest parts of the day. The trees offer plenty of shelter and the grazing seems to be good year round…” she continues, a contented sigh swelling her breast as she gazes upon the sliver of paradise amid the pale sand. ”To the northwest, a ravine runs along the borders of the Dunes to where the Badlands meet. Not much gazing there but there is fresh water to be found if the need ever arises.” she continues, tilting her head now to gaze once more upon his handsome face. ”My time as queen of the Desert saw an alliance between the Badlands and Hills. While I have not yet visited Rafe of the Badlands I feel sure that the same truce might be in place. Marceline has reassured me that she sees no reason to alter our original agreement.”

It was a lot of information to settle him with at one time but Nyimara had full faith that the smoky black stallion was keeping pace with the conversation easily enough and like herself, storing the information for future use. ”My father now rules the desert to the north and while the old wolf is set in his own ways, he will never go against me. The desert is as much part of the Dunes as Salem itself.” she breathes, pausing a moment before continuing again. ”Are you with me so far?” she asks, a mischievous gleam dancing in her dark eyes. ”I would hate a king to get lost in his own territory. Might not send the right message really.” she teases.