Her smile was a balm to his anxious soul. To see her hurt made his heart ache, and while he of course wanted what any good potential mate wanted for her, he couldn't stand the thought that she was torturing herself over a past he was sure she'd change if she could. How long had she suffered, waiting, confused? He wished he could've met her sooner, spared her the pain, soothed it quicker, anything.

He still didn't expect her to shift forward, lean down, and kiss him.

The red-and-gold Stormhorse kissed her back and lifted a leg to wrap around the back of her neck and pull her deeper into it, to hold her close, to let her know she was loved. No matter her past, he still saw their futures intertwined.