this is the road to ruin - anyone

[Ygritte]

BETTER BEWARE, I GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
DEVIL-MAY-CARE WITH A LUST FOR LIFE

The appaloosa has been the most consistent thing in the woman's life as of late. She had said naught of Mandan as she had hoped to see the pair of horns come poking over a hill one day but as the year had pressed on the heavy bands of the rusted iron creaked as they clamped over her heart. Yes, she had laid with another and she had her two beautiful twins to show for that. She would not torture herself for that. No.

Josselyn, her bay girl with the little pink star, was in and out of the kingdom as she pleased. The girl was old enough to be alone and do as her wild heart willed. The child was curious, a wanderer. The older girl had an insatiable appetite to learn the workings of Beqanna and studying anyone she met. A quiet and reserved child but smart! She was the only one between Mandan and herself but she was a perfect concoction of the two horses. But not long after that did Mandan's presence seem to fade like the soft light of dusk, fat and full till it slivers and winks out completely.

She had ached then had mourned in her silence, never allowing anyone to know. It was her burden and she accepted the consequences of loving too deeply too quickly. The candle perhaps burned at both ends?

Her smile is soft and genuine. Lobes trained to him as they stood on the grassy knoll that they both seemed to favor in their kingdom. The mare closes the gap between their bodies as she stands close to taller stallion. He always managed to make the mare smile despite her thoughts and worries but the name of the horned stallion on Kreios' lips cause the slightest flinch that could be missed if he were to blink at the very second. "The kingdom is thriving because of us." The mare addresses that firstly because it was true. She nods the wildflower crowned poll, inclining it towards the stallion. There is hesitation when she attempts to form the words to follow. "Mandan-" it was the first she had spoken his name in months, "he left some time ago." Her voice splinters slightly but she steels herself and the jaggedly thud of her heart. "But no, not this year." The woman turns to look at Kreios with a soft smile despite the wetness that now glosses the honey hued pools. "The twins do keep me rather busy." Ygritte knew that Kreios' would recognize the twins as to not be Mandan's but he was a good stallion, a kind partner and would not judge hopefully for their conception came about long after Mandan had vacated the Falls. "What of you? Little ones planned with anyone I should know about?" The mare spoke teasingly as though jealous (though she pried because maybe, just maybe, she was a bit jealous if he said yes)
but Kreios is a very attractive stallion. Mares of his choosing were to be blessed to carry the king's young. Ygritte looks back over the land that they called home, the remnants of her smile curling slightly at the edges of the pink muzzle as she moves to stand beside the large male's left side, listening to his reply.

Ygritte.