This book is based on a dream I had.

Zahra

Mahmud digs his heels into my sides, and clicks his tongue on the roof of his mouth.

"Is your mind on that sinewy stallion in the pasture, Zahra? You are faster than this!" he taunts.

I shake my head, nostrils flaring with a snort at his words.

You did not just say that, Mahmud!

My hooves thud against the sand like a drum. The wind whips through my rich black mane and tail as Mahmud crouches lower in the saddle to stay on.

He wants faster, huh?

Mahmud slaps my neck with a joyous whoop. "That's my girl!"

I nicker back at Mahmud in agreement, panting in pace with my steps, fueling my blood with oxygen.

The horseman ahead of us doesn't know what chases him.

"Get me a little closer and I can knock him off his seat," Mahmud says in my ear.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

"Perfect," Mahmud praises.

Mahmud drops the reins, and rises up, balancing in the saddle on his feet. He draws his hands back.

I watch as a shot of wind throws the man from his saddle, rolling him down a dune from the force, while the man's horse continues galloping, leaving a storm of sand behind it as it flees.

Mahmud dives from my saddle after the man. He expertly rolls down the dune and somersaults to his feet, scimitar drawn.

I circle around, slowing my pace to watch the rider throw his hands behind his head in defeat.

"Sorcerer," I hear the fallen rider growl breathlessly at Mahmud.

"Bandul sends a coward to kill our children?" Mahmud answers, ignoring the inaccurate term for Mahmud's abilities. He tugs aside his hood with one hand so he can shake his thick, wavy, dark brown hair free of sand accumulated in his tumble off the saddle. Mahmud trudges through the sand to stand above our target.

With his black cloak billowing in the wind and hugging the masculine ridges and planes of his body, I stare riveted at Mahmud. Strong masculine profile, dark features, and warm, intelligent brown eyes the color of rich coffee... I never will get enough of him.

"You can tell the king you serve, Kanan will fall," the assassin chokes out. "It is only a matter of time before we destroy your city like we have the others. Your gold, precious horses, ships, women and children will be ours. They can't hide behind your magic forever. You think you're the only kingdom with the gifts of the gods? You are going to meet your match Mahmud."

Mahmud holds the scimitar up to the man's throat. "Empty threats. And even if this were true, you will not live to see them come to fruition."

The man's eyes widen at his words. Come tomorrow morning after we take this assassin back to King Raman, he'll be hanging from the gallows.

Mahmud whistles for me and I trot up to him. I know he wants the ropes attached to my saddle.

"Took you long enough to catch him," he mutters at me playfully as he unfastens the ropes.

"What can I say? I like a good chase," I say, shoving my muzzle against his sturdy shoulder.

"Your horse—talks?" The man is shocked.

"It seems you know less about the Magi of Kanan than you think," Mahmud says with a cocky grin, dimples in his cheeks appear and his white teeth are stark against the dark stubble surrounding his sensual lips. He strokes a hand through my mane thoughtfully. "Zahra, what say you? Shall we drag him in the sand for a few miles instead of taking him directly to the king?"

I nod my head with a sharp nicker, pawing a hoof against the sand.

"I take that as a 'yes'," Mahmud says, turning to the man his face darkened.

"By the gods," the man cries. "I beg you, allow me honor! I'm a Lord's son."

"You showed no honor when you slaughtered those children on that bridge," Mahmud snaps, throwing a lasso around the man and tugging it tight so his arms are stuck to his sides.

Mahmud fastens the other end of the rope to my saddle and mounts atop me. "Zahra, my lovely, why don't we show him how much you were holding out on me before?"

*

"Another successful venture," Mahmud says triumphantly, leading me to my private stable in Mahmud's beautifully landscaped courtyard that is overlooked by his equally elaborate mansion later that night. He opens my stall door and unhooks my lead rope.

I trot into the stall with my back to Mahmud and swish my tail in his direction.

"Clearly you're upset with me," Mahmud says, affronted as if this surprises him.

"I resent the comment about that stallion," I grumble, turning my head at him and shaking my mane.

"Aw, come now, Zahra, it was but a jest," Mahmud says with a chuckle, again showing me his perfect smile. He walks into my stall after me and leans his tall, muscular body against the doorframe.

And you, Mahmud, are as handsome as you are clueless.

I decide to remind Mahmud of what I am. I know he'll never want me the way I want him, but comments such as the one made during our chase should never be joked about. I cause my body to shrink and change in front of him.

"Zahra!" Mahmud gasps, as I suddenly become very human and naked. He rushes to shut the door of my stall and gazes into the wooden door instead of raking over me with his eyes. "Do you want someone to see? My servants are--"

"Don't forget what I am, Mahmud," I say, staring at his back with my dark hazel eyes. "You and I both know, that stallion out to pasture, although sinewy, is as dumb as any other beast of burden. I am something entirely different."

"I apologize, Zahra," Mahmud says into the wood of the door with a sigh. "I was unintentionally offensive."

I rest a hand on his shoulder and he turns to meet my eyes, not looking down, although I wish he would. I wish he would notice me as he does other women. "I know, Mahmud."

"You are my best friend, Zahra. I'd never want to hurt you," Mahmud says, his voice hushed to a throaty whisper. He takes my head in his hands and presses a kiss to the crescent moon mark on my forehead, the same mark I bear in both my forms.

"And you are my best friend," I say, and close my eyes, pretending for a moment this contact means more than it does. His lips are soft and warm against my face and I wish he'd continue down to kiss my nose, my cheeks, my lips, my breasts... but he won't, because I'll never be anything more than his best friend and faithful horse. I'm his partner in the success we've achieved as a team.

Mahmud pulls away, turning his face once again from me. "Goodnight, Zahra. Well done today," he murmurs, his tone dropped so low I can hardly decipher his words.

"Goodnight, Mahmud," I whisper back after he leaves.