Desert

~ show me the most damaged parts of your soul,
and I will show you how it shines like gold.

Suddenly there is an explosion of pain along her hip as his teeth pinch her delicate skin - instantly her ears pin tightly against the delicate curve of her neck and an enraged squeal bursts forth from tight lips. In a split second he has shifted his own weight and thrusts his hip to block her from leaving. Without further thought she snakes her blunt teeth toward the muscle just above his hock in an attempt to punish him.

"I do not believe we are done here.”

"You are right about one thing. We are not!" she hisses as she arches around his hindquarters, her own head down and snaking to nip at any exposed flesh. Her hooves dance gracefully beneath her, a quick staccato against the hardened sand. Her delicate nostrils flare with each breath and her brilliant bicolored eyes flash with excitement.

"If you want me, then you must catch me before I reach the ocean's edge," she taunts as her hooves quicken their beat. In a single breath she pivots on her hindquarters, her hooves dig into the sand and propel her away from him. Stride after stride. Her muscles gather strength and speed until the ground beneath her blurs. Each stride feels faster then the last as she streaks across the desert. Sand whooshes from beneath her as she descends and ascends dune after dune.

The two toned mare does not start to slow until the ocean begins to stretch out before her. She gulps the air as she slides to a halt at the edge of the hard sands, sweat darkens her shoulders, and her nostrils flare with every breath. She jerks her head over her shoulder to see if he had taken her up on her challenge or if he had stupidly stood there. Satisfied that she had bested the russet stallion she takes a step closer to the hissing surf. Closer to her freedom.