Desert

The closer he drew the more Lilija was able to look him over and took note, particularly, of how handsome he was. Her luck with love was quite an abysmal track record, but it seemed most years when fall came across the islands she could not keep herself within the Prairie borders. Despite knowing anything romantic would likely be gone from her, Lilija continued to seek it out. All she was left with was swelling sides as a new babe grew in her womb and memories of time shared. One would think, in that case, she would stop seeking partners… but Lilija had fallen in love with being a mother. In the absence of romantic love she showered her children with her affection.

His coat was such a rich, dark chocolate that gleamed under the sunlight; his eyes were such a sharp, beautiful green that she found herself somewhat entranced by them as their gazes met. His voice was a deep, rumbling purr that made something twist and turn in her belly. Lilija’s multi-hued tail flicked out behind her, idly swishing as it lifted somewhat off her haunches and then laid back down. She had not come to Salem with any thought beyond finding Iona and making sure she was safe, but standing face-to-face with the handsome dark stallion, her rush to get there seemed to fade.

He offered to help, but it was his last statement that made Lilija smile. If she was younger she might’ve even blushed. He thought she was pretty?

“Oh, thank you,” she managed to say, flattered, her smile growing a little more. Of course his offer to help meant she needed to say what she needed help with, which did not include flirting with him. Lilija cleared her throat and explained, “My daughter followed the Hills lead to Salem from our home, I just wanted to go by and see if she’d made it there safely or not… but this is my first time on Salem and I’m not exactly sure where I am… or where the Hills are.” It was embarrassing as an island native to admit how little she knew of them, and Lilija managed to look briefly embarrassed by her lack of knowledge. She knew her father would have much rather preferred to come with her if she hadn’t tasked him with keeping an eye on Leukos in her absence. Still, she was determined to show him she wasn’t as foolish as her daughter and was quite capable of striking out on her own and remaining safe.

“My name is Lilija,” she added as an afterthought, realizing she should have introduced herself, and sighed at her jumbled up manners before shaking her head. “Sorry - I should have led with that… I’m a little scattered today.” She offered an apologetic smile at the handsome, larger stallion.

~ ♥ ~