For a Thousand More (Herd Thread)

For the first time, it occurred to Angelus that he was quite late for introductions. His mind was at first consumed with Nakita, in all of her quiet longing and open heartedness. He was lost in her ocean of light, of love and of belonging. She belonged with him, and he knew forever that he would only be whole with her by his side. Still, he worried about the state of her mind if it was pressed too hard. The black stallion nuzzled his mate with affection and soft praise. “You are beautiful Nakita,” he murmured into her ear. He was content to simply bask in her warmth and to revel in the roundness of her pregnant belly, carrying the next of their line. He was peaceful and most importantly, he was happy.

His dark eyes then caught sight of another, and the bubble that surrounded the couple slowly fizzled and broke. Angelus straightened and turned his head to see Regina, the ambitious and noble mare whom he had created an unbreakable deal with. He was more than surprised to feel a twinge in his chest when she entered his line of sight - perhaps she had made herself known more than he originally realized. The King of the Desert whinnied lightly to the other mare who gracefully drank from the crystalline waters of the Bridonna Oasis. Still standing next to Nakita, he swung his tail so that the hairs brushed his love on her rump. “Stay with me,” he murmured. This could be hard for the black mare who had previously been the only female vying for his heart and his attention. Now there were at least three, and he knew just by the sight of the other that Regina was pregnant. Angelus didn’t believe in letting his heart lead the way with most things, and so any feelings that Nakita harbored towards any other mare or stallion for that matter were of little consequence to him, excluding attraction of course. “Regina,” he called out, towards the other mare. “I see that you have found your way to my home. That is well, and you look to be well yourself.” He ended his greeting there, knowing that of all the horses in the desert, Regina would know enough to come closer so as to keep the king from having to expend his voice all too much.

ooc: ---
word count: 400+
tag: desert herd
muse: none

The light was dawning upon the future of the desert herd. From absolute chaos and prejudice there was rising a new era. Angelus watched the movement around him with pride and a need to protect those that called him lover and father. The black stallion mused upon the new pathway that was illuminated for him. Still, darkness toyed at the edges of his mind and called to him. For a while he thought he’d shaken off the spiritual companions that used to accompany him everywhere. And yet there they were, lingering at the fringes. They waited silently, always watching, waiting for his return. The demon knew that it wouldn’t be long before he had to speak with them again. This time there would be dedication involved; offerings of futures and of young minds. There would be no escaping the dark and encasing desires of the Dark One, and he knew that the desert herd would be the bearers of the news throughout the homeland. There was no other way. Power would be found in the darkness, and those who hid in the light would be crushed. That was the way of it.

He moved closer to Nakita, feeling her sudden shift in mood like it was his own. There was no mistaking the tension in her body, nor the souring in her countenance. Regina walked towards them with her proud and confident gait, and he knew that she was the right mare for the position being granted her. Nakita was...well, Nakita was fragile and needed care and love. His queen needed to be strong of mind and of will, and Nakita simply did not have those. He would make sure that she had the best of everything, and still he knew she would have the largest part of his heart, forever and onwards. At the mention of her child, Angelus allowed himself to survey the growing belly of the striking mare. Yes, there would be a strong one inside of her. She showed no change in mood, unlike Nakita. The shorter, darker mare’s pregnancies were harsh, with mood swings and unpredictable behavior. He already wondered if he could handle her reaction to the other mares that he had introduced to the herd. “Juno is our young warrior,” he replied in his smooth voice. The little filly lifted up her head and smiled proudly at her father, basking in his praise. He could tell that she was getting restless. Juno wasn’t one to stay quiet willingly.

“Nakita, this is Regina. I came across her while she was wandering. She and I have come to an agreement of sorts, and she will be joining the desert herd. Regina, this is my love, and the bearer of my utmost respect, Nakita.” Introductions were well and good, but how exactly was he supposed to tell his lover that another would be queen? She must deal with the news as would befit the lover of a king, he decided. I have faith in you, beautiful one. Bear this burden with grace, and all respect shall be yours. Angelus cleared his throat, glancing from one mare to the next. “I have decided, and my decision is final, that a queen is needed to help lead the herd.”

•••

Juno was bored. All of this talking and glaring and everything else was lost on her young mind. The nearly adolescent filly rolled her eyes as her parents talked and, as usual, paid her mother’s instructions no mind. It was only when her father showered praise on her that she brightened and lent some of her attention to the proceedings. Even so, her attention waned quickly and she snorted her boredom. Nothing fun happened around here. Day in and day out she was stuck with her distant mother who was heavy with another child. Juno secretly hoped that it was another girl, one who would run with her and laugh with her. She knew though that she was too far apart from her sibling to be much good for the first year or so. Thus it was up to the pitch black, free-spirited filly to find her own source of amusement. Truth be told, the new mares meant nothing to Juno. They were new wives of fathers, but her mother would always be his first love. He’d said so to her some time ago. So while this otherwise tense situation was unfolding, Juno plunged out of sight into the bush, prowling for adventure.

Adventure hit her smack in the nose (not literally) when she came across a stallion that she’d never seen before. Curiosity sprang into life in her chest and she leapt across a fallen log to close the gap between him. Her young eyes widened as she saw the bird resting on his poll, and the way he carried himself. Juno’s filly heart pounded with the first resonances of what some would call puppy love. She instantly grew shy and slinked through some underbrush, watching the tall stallion and admiring his coat. Her eyes kept wandering up to his and wishing desperately that he would catch her gaze and hold it. There was nothing else to it: Juno was in love.

ooc: late but i had so much fun writing this!
word count: 870+
tag: desert herd
muse: brothers under the sun by bryan adams