Chapter 22

You Get My Senses Running Wild

"I'm going round in circles, thinkin' bout you and me." Spirit began softly after an interval. His deep brown eyes danced in the sunlight, his ears flicking back and forth as he attempted to read my body language. My realization...of being in love with him, had gotten me completely speechless and surprised. For a split second, I was in an astonished daze. So when he finally broke the silence, I timidly looked up, watching his handsomely fierce expressions, waiting for him to continue.

"I'd never thought I'd be here...in this completely different, strange place. And yet here I am, in the presence of the prettiest mare I've ever seen. So much has changed for me...but I wouldn't have it any other way. This feels so right, so perfect. You complete me." Spirit confessed, pouring out his soul as he spoke. I could hear his heart beating faster.

I gazed at his beautiful eyes, unable to rip my focus from him. It was as if nothing else mattered in that moment. It was just me and him...while everything else was blanked out.

"Let our actions speak louder than words." I whispered, my tone sounded calm and gentle, but I was flushed a red hot under my fur. And in that second, I was very glad that I had the pelt to cover the blushing inside. I began to slowly turn away from Spirit, gracefully moving towards a trail that led to another stunning place in the territory. The gentle rays of the sun beat upon my back, and I sighed as I felt its warmness. I paused for a moment, struck with an idea. Seductively fluttering my eyelashes, I turned back to the stallion.

"Have you ever swam in autumn sun before?" I met Spirit's gaze, my flaxen mane tipping over my neck.

The dun stallion jerked his nose into his chest with a swift confusion. "Well...no, as far as I can remember...I'd never actually thought of swimming around this time of the year." he replied, gently cocking his head as the wind rushed to his face. He quickly came up to my side and we set off, he was matching my stride step for step with his own.

"Why, have you?" He inquired in curiosity.

"Mmmm hmmm" I mumbled, not giving much away. He could experience the beauty himself soon enough.

We walked back along the track that led to the woods, I recognized all the trees and where they were planted in the earth, all the scents and marks of the small forest. It was such a calm and lovely day for a wooded stroll. The colorful leaves were lying on the green grass as if it were huge blanket. The willow trees were still intact despite the approach of autumn, shielding us from the glowing sun like a veil. There in the center was small crystal river. Shadows of the lush, forest canopy danced across the rocky cove, and sent silhouettes dancing across the still, glass-like water.

Spirit sighed, as he observed the mystical beauty around him. The place almost looked unreal...I myself had forgotten how stunningly perfect it was. I stopped for a moment, taking in the beauty around me, as the gentle breeze of the wind swayed my long mane and tail.

Shifting my sapphire eyes back to Spirit's deep brown ones, our gaze met. Mischief was evident on my countenance, as a smile crept on my muzzle. Spirit raised his brows questionably at me, trying to understand my motives. Without a second thought, I turned from him and began walking towards the stream. The stallion slowly trailed after me, going up a slight hill, I quickened my pace to the clear water.

The autumn air had made the river slightly colder, but it was all worth it. Once emerging into the crystal clear water, the dragon-flies flew up, sending all of the sun's golden shades dancing around us. The colorful trees surrounding the beautiful stream shadowed us in soft tones of lavender, oranges and greens.

We slowly began to paddle around, swimming in circles, moving deeper and deeper in the crystal water. I held my tail so it flowed behind me like a blonde train of silk, while Spirit looked so other worldly and so handsome. He moved gracefully and athletically, his masculine form illuminated by the glow. We followed this slow dance, round and round we went, as the beautiful golden gleam of the sun, lit up everything around us by reflecting in the glassy water. The colorful petals floated in the river, some of them gently brushing our glistened bodies. Throughout this, both Spirit and I had our gaze fixed on each other, our long manes now plastered to our shoulders and crest. The droplets of the water rolling down from our forelocks. Moving closer to one another, we stopped swimming. My withers started a shiver that ran down my frame, rippling the water beneath me. And it wasn't because of the slightly chilled river.

Arching his regal neck, the stallion moved towards me, his eyes sparkling with deep attraction. His long raven mane waved as he came within a breath of my velvet muzzle. Smiling brilliantly at one another, we swam back to the shallow end, feeling with our hooves the rocky ground underneath the water. We stopped, standing very still in the lovely stream, our eyes still refusing to leave each other's gaze. Once more, Spirit took the initiative, as he reached out and nuzzled me and I brushed his muzzle with my own, staring deep in his eyes. Pressing our foreheads to one another, I gently whispered.

"I love you." It felt so good to finally say it.

Spirit's eyes widened at that, he wasn't expecting me to confess my feelings so quickly. But I just couldn't hold back anymore. I wanted to be near him always. I wanted him in my life. If only these minutes could last forever. No one had made me feel this way before, I thought my heart would jump right out of my chest. His taken aback expression quickly changed, a lovestruck smile replacing it.

"And I love you more than anyone in this world." He murmured back, gently caressing my neck with his own, sending tingles up and down my body. It was beginning to be quite chilly, and yet our heat warmed one another.

"Don't ever leave me." I begged, sounding altogether like a little filly. I had found him at last, and the thought of never being with him somehow frightened me. He was still a wild stallion, aching for his freedom, but I wanted him to stay here in the village with me and Little Creek.

"Never." Spirit assured me gently, brushing my cheek with his. "We belong together." He stated firmly, making my heart soar in happiness. I nuzzled him sweetly, as we slowly started walking out of the streaming river, heading back to the forest.

The stallion stopped once more, I looked back at him with a curious smile. "Miss the water already?" I sassed, teasing glare evident on my eyes.

Spirit playfully grabbed my forelock, the swish of his powerful kicks mixing with my stroke. He looked at me longingly, his eyes half-closed with emotion. "Follow me," he whispered. "My flaxen beauty." He slowly headed for the meadows, looking over his shoulder to see if I'd follow.

I let out a girlish giggle, and my cheeks began to burn as I blushed. Thank goodness for the fur, or else I would have been a bright crimson. I started walking to him, my gaze turning skywards, towards the glittering light. I had never experienced anything like this afternoon -true, there had been a lot of swims, but no stallion. Spirit was here, and I knew instantly that was the difference.

I cocked my head gently, the blonde, wet mane dripping over my face. Where was he going? And what was he going to show me? This was the first time Spirit led the way during our get-togethers. I curiously began to glide towards him, swishing my long tail behind me.

Spirit paused, as the droplets of water dripped from his legs, and turned to face me. "Rain," he nickered softly, as I stopped beside him. Gently he blew into my nostrils, smiling tenderly as the afternoon sun glinted brilliantly off his eyes. He flicked his ears backwards, pulling away with an apologetic glance. "I'm afraid," he admitted in a whisper, his eyes filled with guilt.

I was really shocked! Spirit? Afraid? Never! He was so brave, so strong...

I frowned slightly, raising my eyebrows curiously. "What Spirit? What are you afraid of?" I nickered softly, hoping he would let me know of what he feared. Still kind of wet from the previous swimming, my legs quivered with the gentle breeze, and my ears flicked forward in curiosity towards the mustang.

Spirit's jaw set firmly in a grimace, he averted his gaze and remained quiet for a considerable amount of time. I waited patiently, knowing he'd come around sooner or later. "I'm afraid of what I feel for you," he admitted at last with a guilt. "Instinct is sending me in so many directions... and you get my senses running wild." He paused, huffing in frustration. "No, this is not acceptable. We shouldn't be moving this fast and you're far too young." He snorted and shook his head, almost as if talking to himself.

I became quite concerned with Spirit's guilty tone, as I wondered what had set him off with a worried face. My own expressions became very nonchalant. Blinking slowly, I tried to find with my blue eyes what was going on in the stallion's mind. "What do you mean?" I asked softly. "I'm not sure what you're afraid of, but whatever it is, don't be." I reassured with a gentle tone. With a slight laugh, I nuzzled his neck, his soft fur sweeping over my muzzle.

"Whatever is on your mind - just let me know." I chimed, my head tipping to one side slightly.

Spirit let forth a deep sigh, a small smile appearing on his muzzle, hugging his face around me. "Never mind me." He said quietly, gazing into my eyes again. "Everything has its own time. It just...isn't this day."

My own body tensed up with a strange feeling, but I didn't know how to get rid of it. Spirit nudged me further, as he continued to walk forward, trying to push some of his emotions from his mind. I could see and detect it. Noticing how Spirit quickly tucked his tail flat against his quarters, with uncertainty, shame and guilt...I finally realized what he was trying to hide.

Smiling softly in understanding, I took delicate steps to near him and rested my cheek on his. Sweetly and gently, I whispered. "I don't hold judgement on you."

Spirit still shook his head, determined to put an end to all this. "It's still not right."

"It's natural." I corrected simply, gazing deeply into his eyes. It was so cute, how ashamed he felt of something he had absolutely no control of.

"You're so perfect." He breathed, brushing his muzzle on mine. "But I can't..." he pulled away from me once more, hanging his head low in shame.

"Spirit, it's okay." I assured him with a small smile. "You can tell me anything." I searched his eyes with my own, hoping to make his self- reproach go away.

He met my gaze with a beam, clearly touched at my eagerness to comfort him. "Oh Rain," he murmured quietly caressing my neck, "don't you worry about me, pretty mare." He persuaded with a slight grin. "It's just...being a stallion comes with its pros and cons."

"I only see pros." I said breathlessly, easing his unwanted frustration with my softness.

I myself was so touched at how hard he tried to be gentlemanly despite all the wild things he was feeling. So unlike Great Conquest, who demanded my love and physical attractions in blunt and brutal manner. Even though, in the end, he regretted it. Spirit was still so much more different than he..this whole thing was different. I loved him. I trusted him.

I wasn't experienced at all. And I knew that Spirit could tell that, it wasn't hard to notice how new and surprising all this was to me. Maybe that's why he felt so guilty?

"I don't want to hurt you." He stated quietly, confirming my thoughts. "You are far too young for such advances and-"

"Just because I've never done it, doesn't mean I'm too young." I responded firmly, wanting him to see that I was not set on refusing him.

Spirit paused, his eyes never leaving mine, slowly he rested his cheek against mine, sighing with a breathless motion. I relaxed, closing my eyes and taking his distinct scent, as it danced around my flapping nostrils. Struck with sudden curiosity, I stared back at him. "Have you ever...you know?..."

He nodded with a gentle smile. "A couple of times. Only because it was expected of me as a band stallion."

There was silence, as I began to realize that wild herd dynamics were completely different from what I knew. I started to feel glad that I wasn't part of the wild mustang band. It seemed like I had more freedom here and less expectations. Spirit observed me attentively before speaking up. "I want you to know, that what I'm feeling right now is...so much stronger and powerful than I ever felt for any other mare." He explained sweetly, making my heart flatter even faster than before. "I love you so much and therefore, I refuse to pressure you into anything you don't want to do. As tempting your beauty is, I shall prevail against my improper urges."

I can't lie. I was nervous, very unsure and inexperienced. I didn't know what to expect and yet...I only needed to take one deep stare into his brown eyes to see the trust I had put in him. The only one who had my full utmost trust all my life had been Little Creek, my human buddy. But now this stallion galloped into my heart so unexpectedly and yet so effectively. And somehow, he had earned my trust. He wanted me...and I wanted him.

Turning to him, I pierced his stare with my vivid blue eyes. Then with a girlish wink, nodded gently. With a nervous thump of the heart, I swallowed the lump in my throat, gently flicking my tail. "Don't hold yourself back." I leaned forward, nuzzling him affectionately.

Spirit hugged me, reassured by my kind, gentle tone. His deep brown eyes searched my face, and for a long moment he held my glance, breathing, waiting.

"Are you absolutely sure this is what you want?" He nickered lovingly, wanting to be entirely sure of my readiness.

My eyes softened as I heard his final words on the matter, and I gave a gentle nod of approval. "I have never been more sure in my life." I softly replied, my heart began to flutter again, and I tried to calm myself of its jumpy motions.

We slowly made our way back to the apple trees again, and Spirit tried his best to hide his anticipation. Oh stallions!

And as special the whole day had been with him...by far this experience was the most special one. I had trusted him more than anyone else in my life. This had surpassed the trust I had for my Little Creek...I had shared everything with this stallion. Absolutely everything. I was no longer a filly, listening to my human friend's gentle guidance. But rather a grown mare, making my own decision on this rather important matter. I often heard how selfish the stallions were during mating, thinking about their own pleasures...Spirit however, like always, had proven his love with gentleness, caution and softness. Trying his utmost best to make my very first experience feel as comfortable as possible. We both knew that this was the moment we'd cherish forever. We had connected, body and soul, we had become one.

It's safe to say that I had completely forgotten Little Creek's request about returning to him before sunset. And I didn't regret it at all.