Blacktail Deer Plateau wisteria; growing [m]

there was little to do for the time to pass, for astara did not talk and merrick had become accustomed to her long silences. life beneath the rule of the man called vengeance. how would they fare? it would be a different clime altogether — the male had seemed acceptant enough of their resistance to a structured life. and despite winter's imminent arrival, merrick decided that he and astara could simply leave if they so chose.
at length he nipped her flank and dashed ahead; the scent of water filled the air and he desired a race to it. copperburn eyes dancing with the interest of diversion, merrick fell into a playbow and let his tongue loll, taunting, taunting.