He likes her eyes. Their lilac is made more compelling by a dusting of moonlight. Down his own are drawn, across the slender neck and into the pelt of silver-flecked ivory. Breezes shake its gentle curls.
“A herd matriarch. She endured many bulls, but never took to them. It was not until she was stolen by her fourth that she produced calves. They had many together each spring, until old age took him, as it did her.” Batu takes the remaining strides until they two are side-by-side. A calloused paw sinks into the hide’s undulating richness.
“Feel it, your majesty. The fur is just as soft as the day she was weaned.”
