Nyimara is furious; and yet a small part of her beams with pride.

Nonetheless, the silver-haired woman bids her ex-lover adieu with focus and intent in mind. Although her own daughter was Evrain’s queen, Nyimara holds no illusion that her presence in the Hills would be beneficial to secure the island monarchy. Maybe it was because she saw too much of herself in him, or perhaps because he was the first to forego polite conversation and deny her demands. Whatever the reason, as illogical as they were, the animosity between Nyimara and Evrain ran deep… very deep.

That left the Dunes. The dominion she had given up for Rougaru’s remains.

Paper-thin nostrils flare as the russet mare tops the rise that borders the Desert and the Dunes. Near-black eyes scan the vacant landscape, her dark heart swelling with something akin to feelings. It was here, near the mud-colored oasis that she had last seen her sire alive. It was here that they vowed to unite the desert and the dunes to force the rest of the island into submission. It had been a beautiful plan, glorious even. If it had ever come to fruition.

Solomon. Unbidden as usual the damned ice king had ruined everything. Even from his grave, the beast haunted her.

Forcing thoughts of the beast aside, the exotic huntress coils her sleek chocolate serpentine, ashen labrums pressing into the concave of her breast as prancing steps propel her effortlessly down the crest of the hillock and towards the borderlands. Helios had been the proclaimed king of the Dunes last she ventured here and judging by the strong, familiar markers left on the boundaries, that had not changed. ’Good’ A coy smile curves across her lips as pale lashes blink against the blinding rays of sunlight. At least one thing was working in her favor this day.

With an exaggerated movement, Nyimara releases a summons to the Dunes leader, her lyrical tones carrying across the arid zephyrs. Twin flutes tilt forward as the witch once more lets her gaze scan the unoccupied landscape before her. Life hid itself in small pockets here and there and if need be, she might just try her luck amid the familiar landmarks. For now, however, she awaits Helios’ approach, knowing full well the polite copper stallion would not leave her waiting for long.