The Taming

Preventing Flooding

She refused to even glance his way.

He could see the concentrated effort it took.

You're trying like hell not to. A half smile pulled at his lips.

She kept her eyes defiantly away from him. Intently looking everywhere around the barn but at him.

"I've been repairing the bailey walls to keep the flood room from deepening, this morn." He admitted. Relenting. Taking pity on her fierce pride.

"Is that why you're so dirty?"

He tilted his head at her. "If it bothers you, come clean me off."

He quirked a brow as he unfolded from against the wall. The mere idea already had his abdomen tightening.

Brows lowering, she focused on ignoring his presence.

And failing.

I'm hard to ignore.

***

Trying to hide his annoyance at her disregard, he asked. "Do you like my steed?"

It took her a moment to realize he was not saying something perverse. Blinking hard she gladly averted her attention back to the beast.

See? When my intentions aren't bad it is you thinking wickedly.

"He's regal. Like something from legend." She breathed.

He's not the only one.

Silver hair swathed down her back in wild waves, flowing like water as she moved. Sivikon lowered his head to press the top of his skull to her stomach.

An act of trust. Bast's brow furrowed at that small act. It's unlike Sivikon to trust anyone.

But seeing how close she let the horse. How she smiled at him and rewarded him by stroking his face made Bast instantly agitated.

She never acts that pleased at my nearness.

She patiently rubbed the horse's jaw, stroking his mane back to rub the special spot in the middle of his head with her thumbs. The spot where she knew the shining horn appeared in moonlight.

"How many people know?" She asked wistfully.

"Not many."

Them and you.

"You're brothers?"

He nodded, lowering the hammer to the ground to try and ease closer to her. Hoping she'd not shy.

As if she's half wild horse. He laughed inwardly at himself.

***

"Do you feel his energy?" He asked.

"I do." She smiled at Bast like a child sharing a secret. A smile that warmed him.

Her eyes returned to Sivikon, and she tenderly stroked his mane. "It vibrates all around me. At first, I was scared to touch him."

Bast savored her wonder. Hoping to hold onto it as long as he could. This side of her that was almost childlike was infinitely rare to glimpse. "Then what changed?"

"I was lured. By the knowledge in his eyes." She smiled softly running her hand along the stallion's head to his ear, lovingly.

Why won't she touch me like that?

"Wisdom beasts don't usually possess." She continued thoughtfully.

An underhanded jab at me?