His voice, thick with affection as he spoke of his birthplace, captivated her. A sharp ache of longing pierced her heart - a longing for the secure sense of belonging he so clearly possessed. Her own hooves were intimately familiar with the relentless desert sands, yet they offered no solace, no feeling of home. She mused that perhaps home wasn't simply where one was born, but a place where one felt truly connected. Her life had been a mere game, and she a piece moved at another's whim. Once the game concluded, her connection to the desert had dissolved. It had never truly been her home, not like the vibrant haven he described.

She cleared her throat, offering no parallel to his heartfelt reminiscence. Silence settled between them, punctuated only by the wind's mournful howl as it whipped past their ears, churning the snow beneath their hooves.

The wind ceased its howling inside of the thicket, only the whirling snow blowing past the entrance of the thicket would even give a clue the howling winds outside. She curled herself against his skin, and felt the thrum of his heart. She met his dark gaze with her own and silently connected with the onyx King. She suddenly felt warmth creep into her cheeks as she realized how long they had gazed into each other's eyes when he coughed. She gently shook her delicate head, and glanced away briefly before she confesses what has been weighing down on her.

The confession felt monumental, but as the last word left her lips, the warmth of his muzzle brushed against her cheek. He offered comfort, a sensation utterly new to her. A warmth bloomed in her chest; she had made the right decision to find him again. She listened intently as he encouraged her to leave the past behind them, then mentioned Enver. Her heart fluttered. Would he remember her? She swallowed down the fear that threatened to shatter this peaceful moment. A smile touched her whiskered lips at the thought of their son, a fine young man.

"What is he like?" she wondered aloud, hoping he would share more about their son as she curled deeper into his side, seeking his warmth against the bitter cold. She closed her eyes, listening to the comforting sound of his voice.

As his words slowed, her eyes opened to meet his gaze, her smile widening on her whiskered lips. "I'm happy to be here," she mused, "the land I came from was much, much different..." Her words trailed off, uncertainty furrowing her brow. Perhaps it was too early to tell him the dark secrets of her past.