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“Are there female centaurs too?”
Ah.
So that was it.
Divina and Ere exchanged a look of understanding between them.
Okay, so Divina didn’t share quite the same “special-ness” with the girl. But Ere could tell that the fertility dragon was extremely independent, just like Ariana, despite the way she enjoyed being the center of attention, being adored and spoiled. They definitely had that independent streak in common.
Strange that Ere hadn’t noticed before—how Divina took care of everyone around her. When they first met, he thought she was like a crazy old lady hoarding cats when he saw her collection of creatures. And then he thought she was a nymphomaniac, a trivial bubble head, with the way she looked and behaved.
But now, knowing her better, he realized that she truly thought those creatures were her “babies.” Gods knew how they arrived in her care. Probably strays or wounded foundlings she rescued.
She didn’t have them because she needed their adoration. She had them because she wanted to shower them with love. The female seemed to have boundless love to give.
And she wasn’t a sexed-up old-Hollywood bombshell. Ere realized now that her behavior was never sexual, only platonic, harmless flirtation.
Well, with the exception of Andros, of course.
They all knew what was going down behind those bushes at the lake.
With everyone else, she was like a kitten that loved to be petted and cuddled, and she purred literally and metaphorically to show how much she enjoyed it.
It made Ere see her in a whole new light.
Divina was…complicated.
“Indeed, there are,” Chiron answered Ariana with a gruff smile, reminding Ere of her question about female centaurs.
“Perhaps one of the fillies would suit you better.”
Ariana gave a nod of confirmation.
“I’ve always preferred riding mares to stallions,” she murmured, her pink lips spreading in a secret smile.
Thus, it was decided. Each arranged pair standing contentedly, expectantly together.
Andros gave a toss of his head and transformed instantly into centaur. The other males followed suit.
He came to Divina and pulled her onto his back with practiced ease, as if she’d been born to ride him.
The centaur warriors did the same, though more carefully, given the newness of their riders, and the fact that they’d never been ridden before.
“I’ll take the gelding, thank you,” Ariana said, mounting the horse in a fluid, graceful motion without aid, leaving Chiron unridden. Clearly, she was a practiced rider. She looked completely at ease on top of a horse.
“Now, we…uh…need to let the parents know,” Ere said with a wince.
He was not looking forward to it. But he supposed seeing their daughters carried off by males they’d chosen should produce less drama than seeing them absconded with by barbaric marauders.
In the end, there were plenty of tears and a little bit of drama, but not nearly as bad as Ere feared. The families were relieved that the girls would be protected and cared for, even as they regarded the centaur males with suspicion and doubt.
Again, Divina must certainly have worked her magic. For, by the time the Rite was set to begin, the girls and their families were a united front.
Withthe centaurs this time, not against.
Together, they made their way toward the acropolis where the Rite would take place, on top of a steep hill outside the temple of Apollo.
They proceeded through the city streets, the awed and gaping villagers stepping back to make room for their passage.
