That bastard.

The fact that she had started the newest tit-for-tat war against the Lagoon ruffians was beside the point. What irked Khar’pern the most, was the fact that Khyber had not only beaten back her attempt to free a trinket but had successfully won her in a battle against Snapdragon. She was to become his newest prize to be stuffed high on a shelf and paraded around when his testosterone levels needed a little pick me up. Well to hell with that!

Raven-tipped ears bury themselves beneath the thick canopy of her mane as Khar’pern travels down the familiar trail worn flat by years of use. Paper-thin nostrils flare and exhale in a sharp loud snort, plumes of hot breath rising like smoke from her nostrils to disappear in a wreathing circle like some ethereal crown. Silver eyes glare icily at any stallion that dares to fall within her line of sight. Daring them to approach the dragon that stirred beneath her concave breast. She might be a prize for Khyber, but she damn sure would make him suffer for it.

Obsidian whipcord lashes audibly against her hip as Khar grimaces at the sticky, damp mud that squelched beneath her hooves. This is a stark contrast to the dry and rocky soil most commonly found in the high mountain peaks. This would be a less-than-pleasant experience, to say the least. How the beasts grew used to the rancid odor of decaying leaf litter was beyond her but she absolutely had NO plans of staying long enough to find out the answer.

Her forcefully thrust steps come to a sudden halt as soon as the mare of pre-dawn light finds herself on the outskirts of an open meadow of yellowing summer grasses. Keen eyes dart to the loosely gathered collection of mares and foals grazing on the opposite side of the clearing, oblivious to her forced approach. Venom gathers in her throat as Khar’pern digs her heels into the malleable earth, refusing to join the masses as yet another victim.

Once more pale ears disappear beneath the curling tendrils of her obsidian mane as the ex-prime minister of the mountain mares wheels about in a sudden burst of movement to face her captor. ”Why am I here?” she growls, her pale gaze fierce and threatening as they fall upon the handsome face of her daughter’s sire. ”You cannot possibly think my sisters will leave me here for long, can you? Surely there is a brain behind those pretty ears of yours.” she snarls. Long dappled serpentine arches as ashen velveteen presses against the concave of her breast. Dark brows narrow as she emits a feral squeal and kicks out a single foreleg in a threatening manner towards Khyber; a warning. She would not fall victim to his charms again. At least, she hoped she wouldn't. The all too real realization that autumn was just around the corner played in her mind. This time… this time she knew him for what he was. A bastard… a mutt… a wolf of the lagoon as were all the rest of the rugged stallions that called this place home. They were not worthy of her attention and she would fight her instincts if it meant refusing them a new notch on their bedposts. Thank the gods she had forced Ryvar to remain behind. At least the girl would be safe.

For now she waits with impatient eyes, her gaze cold and searching as she waits for the cocky bastard to come forward. She had no doubt he was not far behind her if only to boast of his success among the other stallions that shot curious glances in her direction from afar.