Ramsey’s mouth curved. “It’s a great idea.”
“I don’t want to hurt her.”
The words were out before I could stop them. It was my greatest fear in all this: that I would do something to cause more pain.
Ramsey’s hand lifted to the small of my back. Heat flared at the contact. “Trust yourself. You’ve built a bond with her already. We’re going to strengthen that.”
He pressed the training flag into my hand. “This is to mark your space and show her where you want her to go.”
He stepped back a few paces. “I’m right here with you. I’m just giving you two some room.”
Onyx’s ears twitched as she watched Ramsey’s retreat.
“What do you feel?” he asked me.
“I’m not sure.”
“Bull. You know. Sense it. Sense her.”
I watched the mare carefully. Her muscles twitched every so often, a byproduct of the tension running through them.
“She’s on edge.”
“Good. Now, what can we do to ease that?”
“Wait until she’s ready.”
“That’s a good start. It’ll also help to have you as calm as possible.”
Calm was easier said than done. I inhaled deeply, filling my nose with the scents of horses and the pine trees surrounding us. As I exhaled, I tried to let it all go. The fear and anxiety of the last couple of weeks. The weight of disappointing my family. I released it all.
I closed my eyes for moment, picturing all those things being carried away on the breeze. I felt it then, a tiny shift in the air.
Opening my eyes, I met deep onyx ones that melded into her coat. She had moved one step closer, her muscles slightly more relaxed.
“Meet her where she is. This is a dance. She comes to you, then you go to her.”
I kept the training flag relaxed at my side and took a step.
A frisson of energy flashed through Onyx, and I halted. I focused on keeping everything about me relaxed. I imagined nothing but air filling my body. Light. Free.
I imagined Onyx feeling the same way. I wanted that for her so badly. For her to be able to release the pain of her past and step into this new world at her feet.
My eyes stung with the intensity of the emotion. We were similar in so many ways.
“I know it’s terrifying. You’ve had to defend yourself with everything you had. But you can let that go now.”
Onyx took another step.
I matched her, keeping my voice low. “I’ve got you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Closer.
I kept talking. It turned to nonsensical reassurances. Promises of safety. Sweet nothings—until we were face-to-face.
I slowly lifted my hand to that spot under her chin. “Hey, girl.”
She pressed her muzzle into my chest, searching for more.