He does not immediately react to her apology. There is no softening of his gaze or encouraging smile on his lips as a gentle dismissal tried to reassure her that he took no offense. Fear prickled at the bottom of her heart, whispering in near silent voices that maybe her actions would bring about repercussions or even dismissal from Sadim. She held no importance after all, a mere outcast granted clemency through the generosity of Antares. She exhales a silent breath, carefully monitoring its release to keep from causing further alarm. The last thing she needed in this moment was the bloodstained stallion to recognize the heightening levels of her anxiety. She starts to imagine her exit, trying to find the words that would best excuse her from further stumbling through the customs that had long been lost to her understanding. Finally, he speaks.

Long lashes flutter as he takes two steps towards her, closing the gap that she had placed between them with purposeful intimacy. Though he is not much taller than herself, still she finds her pale gaze peeking up into his dark eyes from beneath the veil of her alabaster forelock. ’I am a notorious flirt, Guinevere…’ The sound of her name on his tongue is enough to cause her to shiver in pleasure. Once more she cast her gaze to the sands at their hooves if only to calm the rising tide of emotions within her that begged to hear him say her name again. A flirt? Him? Aside from the rumor (that apparently held some weight of truth) about his moonlight dance with the pale haired queen, Aldebaran had appeared like the gentleman. He kept mainly to his own company, and aside from joining his brothers as they discussed whatever important matters demanded attention, she had not seen much of his face. ’I did not say I would not accept your offer…’ he beings again, causing her to risk another glance upwards. He was a handsome creature, the large white mark upon his brow a startling contrast to the ombre colors of red and mahogany colors that surround it. His paperthin nostrils shudder with each breath that leaves his lungs, the charcoal and ash color of his skin, the crinkle of his lips with its almost cocky smirk, reminds her of the softest lamb’s ear, beckoning to be stroked. ’...if you did not mean intimacy… dangerous route to take in the eyes of the Sadim.’

Dangerous route… Was it really? Of the brothers and men that made up the Sadim, it was the bloodred coat of Aldebaran that incited the most excitement from her emotions. Even she, could not deny the twinge of jealousy she felt when overhearing the playful teasing that had been directed towards him in regards to Queen Nyimara. She had spent many hours, studying the strong contours of his lithe frame and wondering what it might take to catch his gaze if only to converse with him for a time. Was it so dangerous to pair herself with him? There were not exactly a number of others seeking her companionship, at least none that Antares had ever mentioned to her. Was it so wrong to want to touch him or to feel the touch of him whether gentle or harsh?

’I did not want to take advantage of you…’ his words draw her once more from her thoughts as her pale eyes search his own auburn gaze. Hidden beneath the layers of truth and honesty, she imagines she can see a glimmer of appreciation.. Lust even? The last bit she is not quite sure of. Whatever it is, she can sense it even if it is only for her interpretation to descern.

He slides closer to her now, the warmth of his body radiating in the same space still left between them. The rapid staccato of her heartbeat quickens, pounding loudly in her own ears that Guinevere fears he might hear it also. ’....I would not want you to believe me manipulative enough not to inform you of what such an offer was extending to me as a Grand Prince and stallion.’ Was she offering? She could have avoided him when he approached the oasis the rest of the Sadim shared. She could have dipped her head apologetically and made her exit for quieter waters but she had not. She had felt stronger when she first approached him, braver even. She had resolved to gain his favor, even if it was only to be seen as a friend.

Heat rises to her own dark skin now as she coils tightly her long neck. Long, alabaster banner lifts with the facade of a surety she did not quite feel. ”Then you will accept my offer?” she inquires, extending her small muzzle towards his own, fluttering nostrils drinking in deeply the intoxicating aroma of his musk. A coquettish smile tugs at the corners of her velvet labrums as she blinks slowly her thick lashes, ”I would hate to have to speak it again.”