Nyimara’s anger surfaces as expected. Fell watches the gears turn in his sister’s mind, watches the oil smoke as the workings heat up. He waits.

It clicks into place.

She is furious, he can tell, but she does not lash out at him right away. The mahogany mare circles him, a cruel smile on her lips, the weight of her pressing on him. I think not, she purrs, and Fell forces himself to hide the irritation he feels at her refusal. He is not exactly surprised at her quick rejection, but he can’t help himself; the Bay stallion does not like to be refused. If only he could explain why he wanted to tie the two of them together in such a manner, perhaps she’d understand.

But he is stuck like this, silent and tense, leaning against Nyimara to avoid tripping over the filly still curled at his feet.

What makes you think I won’t just take her?

Fell stifles the fury that erupts within him at this offense. His ears slick back, and he clenches his teeth against the beast that so wants to sink them into his sister’s skin. The threat is not shocking to him; it is completely within character for the silver witch. Still, it burns his ears to hear it, because he has only one defense against it.

He knows what fate would lay in wait for little Kæja without the leverage of the other child, and Fell is not willing to allow her to suffer it. He is willing to fight Nyimara, but if his sister decides to come after his daughter, one single fight is not enough to stop her, regardless of who comes out on top.

Fell pulls away from Nyimara, stepping over Kæja so that the little chocolate filly is straddled between his forelegs. He pivots, keeping his eyes on the silver bay, and drops his head to grasp Kæja’s little skull in his teeth.

Not an option.

Nyimara can either accept his invitation to trade, or she can send him away with his daughter. He refuses to allow her to benefit from a third option, and though it pains him to feel the confusion and fear against his tongue, he knows it would be a kinder end than whatever his sister might orchestrate.

FELL

stallion. 16hh. black. marwari x. Rougaru x visurix.