Common

Every time she winds up in the Commons (or anywhere on the Crossing, really) a horrific level of dread settles in her gut. She hasn’t seen him> yet, but Arsinoe supposes it is only a matter of time. But she can’t just avoid an entire island in fear of stumbling across Vadim. Especially when the unrest on Salem continues.

Asmodeus…does not seem to be backing off on his plan to unite Salem under his rule as King. The temptation he’d offered at their last meeting – support his bid, and he would name their daughter heir – is fresh in her mind. It’s a better offer than she expected, even if part of her ultimately gave in to him with it in the back of her mind. A direct bloodtie to the King? What was to stop them from offing Asmodeus and crowning Aesara in his place?

But Arsinoe hasn’t decided yet what she plans to do. The idea of bending to anyone, even a reasonably capable stallion like Asmodeus, rankles. She hasn’t spoken with either of her half-brothers about it either – she imagines Raegar won’t really care, if it doesn’t impact him on his herd in the Badlands. Evrain and his Queen are far more of a wildcard. Ultimately, she wasn’t ready to show her own hand and go to either of them, especially not with the offer she currently has.

So instead, the Commons. As always she does not come from the sea, instead hugging the coast up through the Lagoon, skirting those ridiculous bachelors and cutting her swim in half. There are the usual sort, a mix of mares and stallions hopeful to lure or force them back to their homes. But she is more intent on finding another like Rehoboam – someone strong enough to be an asset to the Badlands, in whatever comes next.

She finds one likely candidate - a steely grey and white stallion. He’s shorter than her, but built along stocky lines. And fortunately, he looks nothing like Vadim; in fact, he’s about as opposite as one can get. That alone secures his fate – he will come home with Arsinoe, and with another body to guard the herd in tow, she will figure out what the hell to do next with Raegar.

“Hello,” she greets him, green eyes flickering over him assessingly. “I’m Arsinoe.”