All she had done was pin her ears and ask what he wanted. Yet, it told Carthage enough about her predicament. Based on his experience with her: if Snapdragon had other more pleasant options, she was the sort to have stalked off before listening to demands. If that was still true, then something had happened bad enough that he was her only refuge. The logical part of his brain ponders as to what that thing could be; the prideful, egotistical asshole he is at heart hopes it has to do with Finley.
For a heartbeat, Carthage considers what he might want from the mare. She likely stood behind her decision in trusting someone other than him fight her battles, rather than admit overlooking the logical choice. She had little to offer him at the moment besides her body, and Carthage knew better than demand such things of the dewdrop princess. Lightning flashed like a wicked brand through the sky, forcing him to cut things short. "A simply 'thank you' will suffice," he tells her with a mock innocent smile. Then, with a wide sweep of his head, Carthage gestures back from whence he'd come: toward shelter. "Let's go. We can discuss any other terms later."