The brightness in his dark eyes and the crooked smile that graced the copper stallion’s lips warms her heart. Maybe it was because of their shared heritage or simply because Antares had trusted him and Nyimara never found a reason to doubt the nomadic family man’s word. Whatever the reason, the silver-haired witch cannot help but feel her closely guarded walls begin to lower and genuine pleasure purr deep within her. Much like Antares, something in Helios told Nyimara that she could trust him to keep his word and that what comes from his lips is truth. Her brows furrow in question at his remark on recent years and her own history with the Dunes yearn to hear more. Although she could do nothing herself about the natural disasters that frequent the lands of Salem, that does not stop her curiosity and ease with which the conversation leads them. A refreshing quality especially after the exhausting 12 rounds she went with Asmodeus.

The very though of the chimera stallion brings the memory of his stoic and handsome face to mind. The reason she was here in the first place.

She gives her finely dished head a shake, resettling the tumble of her silken mane. A coquettish smile curves across her dark lips as the witch-queen nods her head once with an exaggerated (although at this point it wasnt truly unrealistic) exhale. ”Indeed.” she purrs, taking a step closer so that her lips could tug almost affectionately at a straying strand of his creamy mane. ”But I must admit my thirst is deep. Will you walk with me as I tell you my story?” she asks, withdrawing her touch to offer him an almost hopeful gaze.

She does not wait for his response this time, knowing (well, feeling certain anyway) that she knows him well enough to believe he would never deny her request. Not only does it give them more time spent together under the guise of thirst, but it allows for at least a few minut touches to quench a different thirst. ”If you have not yet heard, Asmodeus has taken the role of kingship from Quinn’s absent grasp and now he rules the Desert.” Although she might trust him, Nyimara is not yet willing to admit to ANYONE that the Desert is no longer being led as she desires. Not only would it open Asmodeus up for uninvited guests, but it would make them, make her, appear weak.

Again she lets her sleek figure brush lightly against his russet form as together they trek down the sandy Dunes towards the larger oasis that provided muddied waters in even the deepest of droughts. An almost meek facade slides into place as the silver-haired queen dips her head apologetically, ”But aside from that, we remain strong, just as the palms weather the sandstorms that curse all our lands from time to time.” she adds with an amused chuckle.

She pauses the conversation now as they come to stop before the water’s edge. Tentatively, she brushed past the stallion to dip her muzzle just above the water’s surface. Greedily she inhales a deep breath, savoring the crisp scent of the cool waters before allowing her lips to sink below the surface and drink deeply of the life-sustaining waters. The witch queen takes her time, savoring the taste of the oasis waters as much as needing it. Only after her thirst is quenched does she lift her small muzzle and turn her gaze once more to meet Helios’ gaze. ”I had hoped we might revisit my previous offer of an alliance…” she begins, pausing her words as she turns to face the copper stallion, the languid waters pooling around her heels. A single brow arches curiously, ”I still intend to bring a monarchy to Salem… to unite all the herds together as one. Some might balk from the idea but with the right monarch in place, there are… benefits to each herd.” she breathes, studying his dished features to gage his reaction..