By the time the silvery minx shoved me across the border into the Peak, I was well and thoroughly sweaty and disheveled. My muscles trembled with exertion and still I taunted the silver mare, even as true anger coiled dangerously in my gut. Revenge was one thing - I expected her to try and take my trinkets as retribution - but me? To take me away in the middle of election season? Stripping me of my power, imprisoning me? It was almost enough to make the fury in my chest override the damnable pull she had on me.

I wanted to lash out at her, to carve a punishment into her skin that she would not forget, but I had no energy left. We'd battled the entire way from the Lagoon to the Peak, and she'd consistently gained the upper hand, punishing me for each misstep as we danced through the trees. It would be more infuriating if she wasn't so hot when she was angry.

I didn't give up until we were well and truly into the heart of the Peak, far enough in that even if I were to try and make a break for it I would likely have to pass other valkyries and battle them too, before I gave up. I turned abruptly away from her and stalked a few steps away, trying to regain my breath and composure as my mind spun frantically. I wasn't necessarily worried for the safety of Hiyori and Lavender (the latter of which wasn't even technically mine), but a thread of unease and discomfort sat in my gut at the thought of them being unguarded and alone. I hadn't even had a moment to ask Garmr to watch out for them before I was hustled away, and after Rutger's blatant defection, I was no longer certain of the loyalty of my brothers, especially if I no longer had a rank to command them.

"Do you know what you've done?" I finally murmured, voice low and dangerous - despite the rasping gasps of air as I continued to catch my breath. I cocked my head back so I could look at her, my rump still pointed in her direction. "You think yourself a hero, don't you Khar?" There was a sweet sing-song quality to the words I issued, despite the gravelly tones, and I pinned her with a glare that only kind of hid the white-rimmed edge of panic in my eyes.

Stallion - Young Adult - 15.2 - Brown Overo