Heirot

Tenele blinked, choking on her words. How did she explain him? Especially to this servant, who obviously recognised her. On that, how did she explain why she was out in the middle of the night, in a thin silk dress mainly worn to please her lovers, and with a man that no one recognised as her husband her fiancé.

"His name is Knight," Tenele whispered. "You may see a lot of him. He is a very close personal friend of the King, my husband, and myself. I was showing him the horses and the wedding gift the King gave me. Pay us no mind. We're just going for a short ride."

"Yes, my Lady," the groom responded. He looked tense as he grabbed a bridle from the wall. He fumbled when he handed it to Knight, who caught it gracefully. "My thanks," he said. The boy blushed deeply.

Minutes later, Knight was at the gate of the stables, the arab dancing on its lead beside him.

Tenele smiled at Knight, running her hands over the horses neck. She smiled at her protector. "Where do you want to ride too? Its a full moon, as long as we don't go too far out into the desert to where we get lost, there are plenty of places to go. We could ride along the shore, also."

"The shore sounds perfect," he smiled at her. He looked up at the starry sky. The near-full moon on the pale sands made it brighter than the typical pitch-dark desert night. "Shall we?" He knew she didn't need a foot up, but he stood to let her mount first.

Tenele nodded, grabbing the saddle, lifting her dress, and mounting the horse efficiently. She supposed she could understand Knight's restlessness. He didn't get to be free very often, and not for very long. It made since that he was in a hurry to do all the things he possibly could in the time he was given. "Let's see how fast he can ride."

Knight looked relieved at her words. It was like she knew and wanted the same thing. "Okay if we gallop, then?" he asked as he stepped into the saddle.

"Yes," she smiled, taking a firm hold of horse hair and leather. She turned her eyes to the moon and the stars and felt her heart flutter and a desire to feel the wind in her silver hair.

Knight let his mount forward, and the bay skipped against his pressure on its mouth as it tried to break straight forward. He held it back to an anxious trot on the unsteady terrain. Her certainly didn't want to injure such a strong animal. The sand kicked and mixed beneath their hooves as they rode out toward the shoreline, warming up their anticipation and the horses' muscles. The cool night breeze laced with sea salt was a seductive invitation.

Tenele closed her eyes. The feel of the cool breeze on her skin, and rustling the silk against her flesh felt enticing and relaxing all at once.

The moon list the waves of the ocean, twinkling each small crest like diamonds glittering out in the night. The rush of waves breaking against the shore were therapeutic in their own right, soothing her nerves like sweet music.

As they reached the smooth shoreline, Knight dropped close against his horse's neck, and the stallion gave a start in anticipation. The guardian didn't stop him. They took off like lightning across the sand. Knight stayed close to the bay's neck and gave it all the rein it wanted. The pleasure of the wind and the moon on his skin pulled at his soul. He gave a wild shout to the open sky in return, and closed his eyes so the vastness of the world could swallow him.

Tenele smiled as she watched Knight tear across the sand, happily enjoying the freedom of riding. She watched him for a minute longer before giving Saber instructions to follow. Saber was fast, but Knight's horse seemed to be faster. She laughed as she finally managed to pull alongside him.

Knight opened his eyes to the inviting sound of hooves beside him and looked out at Tenele. He cast her a riveted smile and guided his horse to the side, into the lapping waves. The water splashed up behind them as they galloped side by side, neither in ocean nor land.

Tenele gasped as cold water splashed up onto her legs, soaking the silk dress, but even as the shock washed over her she felt herself laughing at the fun of it. The night was enjoyable by itself, but seeing Knight so happy and free brought warmth to her heart. She wished she could give him this freedom forever. She wished she could somehow make him exist outside his bindings.

Tenele decided not to dwell on the fact she'd eventually have to send him back in a wave of terrible agony. She decided to focus on the time she had with him instead.

They'd gone several miles by the time the bay started to run out of steam. Knight resisted the urge to push it on further; it had done well, and its energy was short-lived but exuberant, like his. Dropping to a trot, he turned the horse around and faced Tenele. Now that he was still, he realized his face was wet. "Lots of wind tonight," he muttered, swiping a hand across his cheeks. He extended his other palm to the woman he loved riding beside him.

Tenele smiled, placing her hand in his. "Yes, lots of wind," she watched it toss his long black hair. She brought his hand up to her lips and kissed the space just below his thumb. "Shall we give the horses a rest? There are some rocks up a head we can sit on and watch the stars. Unless there are other things you want to do, in which, I am more than happy to accompany you on any adventure you desire."