[Companions Chapter 10]

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WARNING! The following text contains explicit adult subject matter. It is not intended for anyone under the age of 18. If you are under the age of 18, then you must stop reading now. The author has taken steps to ensure that this story does not appear in any subject-inappropriate or age-inapropriate forum. This version has been posted with the author's permission to Yiffstar.com.

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* _COMPANIONS_

* by Evoquus

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* (c) Copyright 2002, Evoquus, All rights reserved.

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* Feedback is appreciated: [email protected]

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Rating: NC-17 for explicit sex: M/M, Human-Stallion-Mare, Anal, Oral

Chapter 10: Hell

We continued through the forest as horse and rider. Rovaun galloped at top speed and I held on tight to stay on. The illusion had become so real, that I had to hold on with both hands for fear of bouncing off and breaking the link. It was also dark and cold under the thick canopy, causing my naked skin to shiver with goose bumps. The remedy was ridiculously simple: I put on some clothes. Pants, shirt, shoes and jacket were easy to conjure up, since I had spent more of my life inside clothes than outside of them. The Hipponaur brain made it second nature.

The autonomic portion of a human brain could maintain minimal life support - respiration, circulation, digestion, and excretion. But the autonomic portion of a Hipponaur brain could take that to the next level. I could set up the parameters of an illusion and let the autonomic brain maintain it while I concentrated on the more salient events. I could wear clothes without having to think about it. How could Hipponaurs not know they could do this? Perhaps they simply never tried. Necessity was the mother of invention, and Hipponaurs never wanted for anything they couldn't readily attain. No thinking was necessary. And now I wondered if that was all about to change because of me. And would this be a good thing or would this new-found knowledge end up evicting Adam and Eve from paradise?

Hipponaurs knew how to communicate facts, but only Varyl had extended that ability to communicate fantasy. And even then, it only occurred in a single dream. What would happen to Hipponaur society once they realized that they could make their dreams as real as the nose on their face? An unenlightened race would easily wither away in self-indulgence. Nothing real would compare favorably to what could be imagined. Letting this genie out of its bottle might possibly destroy them.

And yet, their society had already been stagnant for millennia. When we first met, Rovaun had told me that, despite his looks, his existence was not equine at all. Maybe he was not equine in the sense that humans think of horses, but Hipponaur existence, fundamentally, could not be MORE equine. In that case, revealing this secret could encourage imaginative thinking, and possibly make them easier to integrate into human society, which was their ultimate destiny. At least, I HOPED that was their ultimate destiny. These damned visions were so hard to interpret correctly!

We were making good time through the forest, when suddenly, for no apparent reason, we came to a screeching stop.

"What is it, Rovaun?"

"I sense... someone."

"Who?" I looked around but could see no one. The woods were unusually quiet. Only a single jay could be heard possibly a half mile away. Other than that, only Rovaun's breathing broke the silence. Then in front of us, a rustling of branches.

"Hello, Lover," said the sultry black mare, emerging from the trees twenty yards ahead.

"Zhorelle!" growled Rovaun.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked, "Should I go back inside?"

"No," he whispered. "It is better if you stay where you are. I don't think she can sense you."

"Who are you talking to?" asked the Inquisitioner as she approached.

"What are you doing here!" cursed Rovaun, his hatred of her made plainly evident.

"Is that any way to talk to your mate?" she said, feigning indignance as she neared. "I just came to console you, my Darling. I heard about the passing of your dear little human companion, and just wanted to comfort you."

"Stop where you are!" he commanded. The murderous fury in his voice was effective. She decided to maintain some distance for now. "How do you know about my Companion?"

"I encountered your little white mistress a few days ago," she said. "She told me all about it. Frankly, I cannot understand how you could have any respect for a mare with such a low threshold of pain."

I gasped, but she didn't hear me.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SHIANNA!" roared Rovaun.

"Practically nothing, Dear. I said 'LOW threshold,' remember? She, on the other hand, gave me a nasty bite on my ankle."

"She should have ripped your fucking throat out!" he screamed.

"Oh pipe down, Lover. You'll be singing a different tune once you hear my news."

"There is nothing you can tell me that will alter my wish for your slow painful death."

"Is that so?" she said, pretending to sound hurt. "Then I suppose there is no further reason to keep the little parasite growing in my womb."

"Oh God..." I gasped.

Rovaun was silent for a moment, then said with contempt, "You are lying."

"You can see for yourself," she said. "I'm carrying the human slut's love child."

I sat quietly, not because he asked me too, but because I was speechless.

"Scan my womb, you'll see," she said. "And then there are going to be a few changes in our lives if the little bastard is ever going to see the light of day. You will swear to Hipponaur to be my faithful mate and Companion... forever."

"Never!"

"Have it your way. I've been wanting to dump this little shitload for days now anyway." She turned her head to her abdomen. "Good-bye, li'l bastard."

She closed her eyes, and in my head I heard a faint scream.

"Rovaun! Make her stop!!"

"STOP!!" he commanded.

She brought her head around to him.

"I heard it cry," I whispered to him, "did you?"

He shook his head, answering me without having to speak.

"I will consider your terms," he said, "but only if this is not a trick, and the child remains unharmed."

"I swear to Hipponaur..."

"Save your breath," he said. "Your oath is not worth the oxygen it would use up."

"Fine. Then come and scan for yourself."

He approached her and I rode with him. She looked right at me but did not see me, yet I think she could sense that there was some form of presence with Rovaun. To scan her, he would have to touch her and risk making my presence known, so he took a stance behind her. I recognized that as my cue to slide off while remaining in continual contact. Then I crouched behind him so that his body would block her view of me. He pressed his head into her abdomen for several seconds, then backed off. I stayed on the ground for the moment. He sighed and hung his head.

"You are pregnant," he said sadly. "The poor child is doomed."

"It is, if you continue to disappoint me," she said, holding all of the cards.

"Rovaun," I whispered, "am I in there?"

He nodded slowly.

"Are you positive?"

He shook his head this time.

"So, Lover," she said, "do we have an agreement?"

"If the child dies for ANY reason, I will personally hold you responsible," he threatened.

"Swear your oath of loyalty to me and I'll do my best to try not to kill it."

Rovaun said with controlled loathing hatred, "I swear to Hipponaur that I shall be your faithful mate, Zhorelle,... for as long as you shall live."

She whinnied a contemptuous laugh. "You don't scare me. You don't have the balls to murder your mate, and with your precious honor at stake, that oath is good as gold!"

"Rovaun..." I was afraid to ask what that oath truly meant.

"Forgive me, Companion," he said grievously, confirming my fear.

"The human slut is dead. Get over it," she said. "Now, since you're already back there, service me."

"My oath places me under no obligation to do so."

"Either you service me or the parasite suffers!"

"We had an AGREEMENT!"

"Yes, and you had better keep me satisfied so that I don't have to break our agreement. Now get busy."

He snorted in frustration. "I am not in the mood."

"Get in the mood!" she said, starting to torture the small entity within her.

"She's hurting him again!" I whispered desperately.

"ALL RIGHT!" he snorted then moved behind her. "But do not look at me!"

"Fine," she laughed. "Who needs to look at you? I'll be thinking of someone else, anyway. Don't take it personally if you hear me yelling out his name. In fact, in that unlikely event, feel free to take it as a compliment."

He snorted his disgust, but proceeded to do as she wished. I stood carefully behind him to remain out of sight. He shoved his nose in her cunt, but found it unappealing. It didn't help matters that I had already drained him of every drop of semen.

"I cannot get aroused without some help, Whore. At least give me some piss to work with!"

"I'm fresh out," she said. "You should have caught me fifteen minutes ago. I DO like the dirty talk, though, Shithead."

He continued to sniff her, but was getting more nauseous than horny.

"Any time now..." she threatened.

I couldn't believe I was considering this, but I decided to help him out. I massaged his sheath while eating his ass again. He raised his head and snorted, then snickered at me, pushing his ass into my face and humping my hand. My messing with him was not a strict violation of his oath. I was simply helping him get aroused so that he could service his mate - no more a violation of fidelity than taking Viagra. His horsedick emerged and I helped pull it out, licking it along its length. When he was sufficiently erect, he mounted the mare, and started the loveless humping.

"Is that the best you can do?" she yawned.

"Shut up, bitch."

I stuck my hand in his ass and massaged his prostate. Not enough to make it fire, just enough to feel good. He snorted with lust and started pumping harder.

"That's more like it!" she said. "Now you're fucking me like your slut did."

He growled angrily and started trying to hurt her with his thrusts. I wasn't worried for her health, but I WAS worried for the kid growing inside. I pulled my hand out and stood up patting him, trying to calm him down.

"Did I hit a nerve, Deary," she said, turning her head. Then her eyes opened wide and she screamed, escaping from under Rovaun and putting several yards between us.

"I saw him!" she said, terrified. "The human! I saw him!" She looked around frantically, wondering where I went.

"Cat's out of the bag," I said to him.

"There is no point in continuing this deception," he said to me. "But thank you for your help just now. It made it enjoyable - especially her screaming."

"Who are you talking to!" shouted the nervous mare.

"I suppose you should come back inside and introduce yourself," he said to me.

I merged back into Rovaun's body and stared at the mare through me equine eyes.

"Hello, Zhorelle," I said, menacingly.

"Wha...?" She looked at us in dismay, then her eyes turned to angry slits. "That human slut is your cohabitant!"

"It's nice to see you again, too," I said.

She stomped around, snorting and thwacking her tail. Apparently, I ruined her plans.

"This doesn't change a thing Rovaun!" she said. "You are still my bond mate!"

"I'm sure we can all get along," I said, rubbing her nose in my continued existence.

She whinnied and kicked in anger, then settled down, realizing she still had the ace in the hole.

"I'm still pregnant with your vile offspring, human," she said, looking at me with hatred in her cold eyes.

"I'm supposed to take your word for it?" I asked.

"You can scan me," she said, calculating her next move, "you will see."

Rovaun brought me up to her and placed my equine head against her abdomen. I felt a force, like the buzzing of an electromagnet coming into close contact with steel. Then I clearly heard a tiny voice say "Hi."

I brought our head up. "Rovaun, he greeted me!"

"Then it is true," he said. "The Anthraun is alive, and he is yours... and Zhorelle's."

"Oh... Rovaun..."

"It is all right, Companion," he said. "The child... is innocent."

"Subtle," set Zhorelle, brushing off the insult.

"How can he speak?" I asked him.

"The embryo can communicate with his parents on a basic emotional level," he said. "What you perceive as words are really just simple emotional impulses."

I leaned down to talk some more, but Zhorelle stepped back.

"Allow him to assess his son's health!" demanded Rovaun.

"Oh all right!" said Zhorelle, flippantly.

I pressed into her abdomen again.

"Hi," said the tiny voice again.

"Hello," I said. "I'm your Daddy."

"Who am I?"

"You're my son."

"WHO am I?"

I raised our head. "I think he wants to know his name," I said to Rovaun.

"Zhorelle!" said Rovaun angrily, "you have not named him YET!?"

"Oh please," she said spitefully, "once you name them, you have to keep them."

The only thing keeping him from ripping her heart out right now was the little guy in her womb.

"He desperately needs an identity, Companion. We must give him one, now."

"Um... all I can think of is Tantau," I said.

"No, something more unique."

"Tantau Two?... sorry."

"How about Tantwo?" he said.

"Tattoo!"

"Yes!" he agreed. "That is very appropriate. Tattoo he shall be."

I pressed into her again and said, "Your name is Tattoo."

"I am Tattoo!" the little voice said, feeling gratefully self-aware.

"Tattoo loves Daddy."

"And Daddy loves Tattoo," I said, starting to well up.

"All right, enough with the dysfunctional family reunion," grumbled Zhorelle, stepping away.

"You will allow my Companion to commune with his son!"

"I have decided I will not allow your filthy human slut to have anything to do with me."

"You don't have a choice in this matter," he said. "My Companion is my cohabitant. He goes where I go. Now that I am faithfully your mate for life, you get to have all three of us."

"No," she said coolly, "I don't. I'm changing the terms of our agreement. You can choose to keep ONE of them, but you can't have both!"

"No!"

"Choose, Lover. Who will it be, the slut or his little bastard? You can decide while we climb that hill. If you don't follow me, then you know what MY decision will be."

She took off to a hill in the distance - a hill in full view of the oncoming sunset.

"Rovaun, can she force Tattoo's soul out?"

"Yes," he said, "but his soul must be very strong. He has survived all of this time without an identity. And once she realized she was not carrying Centaurs, she likely has already tried to force him out."

"He said he loved me."

"That is a good sign. It means he is healthy, but he is still in danger. The contempt that his mother constantly barrages him with, will surely kill him in a few days."

"He is Tantau's half-brother. We must save him," I said, silently acknowledging my doom.

"Yes, we must," he confirmed, sadly acknowledging the same.

I rode Rovaun as we followed Zhorelle to her hill. She was a couple of hundred yards ahead of us, and occasionally looked back to make sure we were still following. We were both aware of the stakes, but didn't talk about them. I finally found a Hipponaur I could hate. If anyone's soul should be exorcised it was hers. Then that got me thinking.

"Rovaun, do you think we could force Zhorelle's soul out of her?"

"Believe me," he said, "I have considered it many times. Unfortunately, it is still murder. And Tattoo would die."

"No... he doesn't have to die. Don't you see? The body is still alive, but comatose. We could keep Zhorelle's body alive by feeding it and letting it continue to gestate Tattoo."

His ears pricked up. "Companion," he said, "you may have something there."

I continued thinking out loud. "We stay with the body, and make sure nothing eats it. Perhaps we move it somehow to a safe place. And I can communicate with Tattoo every day."

"It is a good plan, Companion, and it might work," he said in a tone that already telegraphed his rejection, "but it is too risky to Tattoo, and it is still murder."

"In a human court, we would clearly win this case as self defense or justifiable homicide in defense of a third party."

"Unfortunately," sighed Rovaun, "Zhorelle knows there is no case for either, when the life that is being defended... is that of a man who has already died."

He finally said it. I was the one to die again. "My dream," I said, now realizing its significance.

"Yes," he said sadly, "your dream."

"I just got here, Companion. Can't Destiny let me stay for just one whole day?"

"I see no other way."

"Companion, I will gladly die for Tattoo in a heartbeat. But what is to stop Zhorelle from killing him anyway?"

"I will prevent her from killing him. Because she knows I will kill her if he dies by her hand."

"There's still hope that we can come to some kind of agreement," I said, wishing out loud.

"There is always hope," he said.

While we climbed, it occurred to me that we must be at least 150 miles from the ocean, which meant that it would not be visible from the top of this hill.

"Companion, what is the definition of sunset as far as my soul is concerned?"

"It is the time window from when the sun first touches the horizon, to when it disappears below."

"But which horizon? It won't be the ocean."

"Any perceived horizon, Companion. You will feel your soul being pulled. Your soul will know when it is time."

"What if I keep my eyes closed?"

"Your soul doesn't use your eyes, Companion. It will see the sunset if the sunset is there, and at the top of this hill, the sunset WILL BE there."

"There HAS to be some way out of this!" I screamed at the unfairness of it all.

The danger did not seem real to me, perhaps because my second death so soon after my rebirth would be such a waste of effort on Destiny's part. When I got shot by the Fed, I knew instantly that I was beyond saving. But climbing this hill did not seem dangerous, even though my dream told me otherwise. Perhaps that was Destiny's plan, to lure me into a false sense of security.

And my biggest fear now was that I would die for nothing. Despite his tough talk, Rovaun would never be able to control Zhorelle. Tattoo was truly doomed, and so was Rovaun, for he would have Zhorelle instead of me for his lifelong Companion. I could not let that happen. The only way out of this was to go with my plan to force her soul out. If I could do it on my own, then I would solely bear the blame, and given the circumstances, the Elders would forgive me. And even if they didn't, at least Tattoo would still have a chance.

Zhorelle was out of sight now, presumably already at the top. As we neared the peak, I could feel something tugging at me, trying to pull me off my mount.

"Rovaun, the sun must already be setting."

"Come inside, quickly," he said.

I merged with him, but felt only a tenuous hold on him. At the peak, the sun had just touched the horizon, and the execution of Tattoo had already begun. Zhorelle's body was pointed toward the sunset, but her head was turned back, focussed on her womb, and I could hear poor Tattoo's faint screams.

"STOP!" shouted Rovaun, causing Zhorelle to look up.

"Time's up, Lover," she said, heartlessly. "Who's it going to be? And make sure you choose correctly."

I focussed all of the hatred and rage I could muster at the mare. She looked coldly at me, then began twitching.

"Companion, no!" cautioned Rovaun.

"Stay out of it, Rovaun," this is just between me and the bitch.

Her eyes rolled back and body started convulsing as I intensified the mental attack. Foam bubbled from her mouth and dripped off her dangling tongue, and she whinnied in terror feeling her soul emerge from its protected lair. I was inside Rovaun with the full resources of his brain at my disposal, which made this easier than expected. What normally took three Hipponaur Elders to do, I was able to do effortlessly on my own. The untapped energy of this brain was truly frightening. The mare's legs wobbled and body shook violently, but she still managed to keep hold of her soul somehow. I continued the onslaught, but then noticed that something wasn't quite right and it affected my concentration. Her convulsing was unnatural, and I had seen it once before. It was when the first cop had pulled us over on the highway. Rovaun had behaved exactly the same way - when he was faking it.

Suddenly, my confidence dropped to zero and I broke off the useless attack. The mare continued the charade for a few more seconds then started to laugh.

"That was quaint," she said dropping the act. "Was that you're idea, human? Too bad you don't have any human balls to back it up, since your Hipponaur balls are obviously worthless. And I think that little miscalculation should be punished, don't you?"

She fired a laser beam of hate at her womb, and Tattoo's scream ripped at my heart worse than any hollow point could.

"STOP IT!... Please," I yelled. "You win! I'll go! I'll leave Rovaun willingly. You don't even have to force me out. Just... please don't hurt Tattoo anymore."

"Wise choice," said the mare. "And you'd better step on it. The sun is setting early today."

"First, please let me say good-bye to Tattoo," I pleaded, hoping not to piss her off more.

"You have ten seconds."

I pressed my equine head into the demon's belly. "Hi, Daddy," said a shaky and tiny voice.

"Hi, Tattoo," I said, starting to choke. "I have to leave you, now."

"No."

"I love you, Tattoo."

"I love you, Daddy."

"And Rovaun loves you, too. He will be your new Daddy."

"No."

"Good-bye."

"No."

Zhorelle broke the link, but there was nothing more to say to the poor little guy. I had no way to explain what was happening, and was too depressed to try. About a quarter of the sun was below the horizon. I had only a few more minutes.

I emerged from Rovaun, and immediately felt the pull of the sun. The weather was perfectly still, yet it felt like I was standing in a hurricane. I grabbed onto his mane as my only anchor in this world, then pulled myself over and stood with my back to the sun, just like in my fatal dream. Zhorelle started snickering to herself.

"I guess this is finally it, Companion," I said. "Now you have two Anthrauns to bring up. I know they will be happy."

He said nothing, too upset to speak.

"Things may look bleak, Companion," I said trying to console him, "but your destiny is beautiful. You'll always have our memories. And you have a whole lifetime of my memories to explore. She can't take them from you. And of course, you will never forget that I love you."

I moved in and started to kiss him, but Zhorelle interceded.

"He's mine now, so GET LOST!!!"

She fired a concussion of contempt at my soul and sent me hurtling into the sun. "Noooo..." was Rovaun's last receding word, the opportunity to say good-bye having been stolen from him. There was nothing that could be done, being instantly miles away and accelerating further, so I turned to face the siren calling my soul. And it was stunningly beautiful. The sunset was radiant and peaceful, and it was all that I wanted and all that I cared about. Its rays were outstretched arms awaitng my embrace, and was not menacing to me in the least. My final destiny was to warmly rest in peace.

Then I saw my destiny peak below a thick foggy marine layer. The bottom of the sun was now clearly visible, and it was still a half minute above the true horizon. My soul slowed down, its siren's call having suddenly gone mute. I stopped and changed course, finding something else more alluring. I accelerated again in the opposite direction, back to the point of origin - a tiny electron in search of its proton. I could see him on the hill, grieving the loss of a loved one, while the Devil stood next to him laughing with delight. I continued to accelerate, bracing for a head-on collision with him, but the Devil pulled me off course. With its jack o' lantern grin, the Devil sucked me in, and swallowed me whole.

Who am I? I am nobody.

What am I? I am nothing.

Where am I? I am nowhere.

"Good evening, Companion. Welcome to Hell."

"Who are you?"

"Hi Daddy."

"Who are YOU?"

"Perhaps this will help."

Nonsensical images flooded my mind. Then they started to make sense.

"I... am Daniel Racher."

"How is that, Companion?"

"Rovaun!"

"Better, I take it."

"Where are you? I can't see you."

"Because, Silly, you have your eyes closed."

I thought about opening my eyes, and then they opened. Rovaun was smiling at me. His head was sideways. I couldn't move.

"There you are!" I said, so happy to see him.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

It was MY head that was sideways. I was lying on the ground.

"I'm paralyzed."

"Not for long."

"I never got to kiss you good-bye."

"Would you like to kiss me good-bye, now?"

"Yes, please."

He brought his lips close to mine and held them an inch from my face.

"I can't reach them."

"This is as close as I get," he said.

I concentrated on moving my head, but it weighed a ton. I pivoted on the back of my neck, and briefly brought my lips to his, then fell back to the ground.

"Excellent, Companion. You will be just fine."

Then he showed mercy, and brought his lips down to mine, kissing me tenderly.

"I kind of feel like I'm inside you, again," I said, "but I'm also not inside you. Where is Zhorelle?"

"Poor Zhorelle has passed away, I'm afraid," he said. "I have already mourned her loss. You may grieve her passing, too, if you wish. Perhaps a moment of silence."

"Okay... done. What happened?"

"YOU happened, dear Companion. Zhorelle never saw what hit her."

"I hit Zhorelle?... Wait, I remember now... I was coming back, and the Devil swallowed me. Zhorelle swallowed me... I'm in Zhorelle's body!?"

"As I said, welcome to Hell," he snickered.

"You don't have to sound so happy about it!"

"I'm sorry, Companion. [hee-hee-hee-hee]"

"Why did I land in Zhorelle and not back into you?"

"I think you have Tattoo to thank for the last second switch. He really did not want you to leave. Since I fully bonded with Zhorelle, apparently her body is as compatible with your soul as it is with your seed. And just as two electrons repel each other, your soul came flying in and knocked hers out."

"Eight ball in the corner pocket."

"An apt analogy. With both you and Tattoo in there, her soul did not find her body very hospitable anymore. It had attempted to enter me, but then the sunset took over."

He sighed. "Her death was a tragic accident. She will be missed."

"Who will be missed?"

"Exactly."

We both snickered this time, but felt a little guilty joking about it - but not too guilty. Suddenly, I felt my legs move a bit, and I could lift my head off the ground.

"How long was I out?"

"Only for a few minutes. Your soul has already become accustomed to Hipponaur physiology, so you achieved consciousness quickly. However, you will still have to learn how to walk."

"How hard can that be?"

"I am sure you will be tap dancing in no time."

I tried to emerge from Zhorelle's body, but it was extremely difficult. I managed to extract my right hand and stroke Rovaun's face.

"Can you feel that?" I asked.

"Yes," he whickered. "I can see that Tattoo has a tight grip on you. He is not going to let you out easily."

"Maybe we just have to wait until he's asleep."

"Perhaps."

I was able to raise up into a setting position and survey my new body. Zhorelle was a sleek and sexy jet black mare, and now I was, too. My self image was still that of a man, and I was trapped in a mare's body. But I didn't really feel trapped. I felt... protected. And my companion and mate was a stallion. What could be more natural than that? Should I give Destiny any credit for this interesting turn of events? I don't think so.

"Hug me, Hipponaur," I said. He did not hesitate to wrap his neck around mine. I stroked his chest with a human hand poking out of an equine arm.

"So, am I Tattoo's father or his mother?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Not helping."

"Both Tantau and Tattoo will need a mother and a father," he said. "Since you are the mare, I suggest that you be their mother and I be their father."

"I already told him I was his Daddy... I know - why don't we switch bodies so you can be the mother and I can be the father?"

He refused to even dignify the suggestion with a snort.

"Oh all right, you big baby, I'll be the mommy. You know, being a mare doesn't feel all that different from being a stallion."

This time he did snort, taking offense.

I straightened my equine arms and was able to push the front half of my body off the ground. My hind legs were still not cooperating, yet. Rovaun matched my stance. I balanced on my left arm and raised my right, rotating my hoof in the air, then switched and did the same with my left. So far, everything that I could get to work, did.

"You are doing well, Companion."

"How do you think Shianna will feel about our new situation?" I asked.

"I think she will be very happy for us."

"I hope you're right. I'm just afraid she might resent me now that I'm your bond mare."

"She will get over it. And do not forget that she is carrying our son. We must make her feel welcome to participate in Tantau's raising, if she wishes."

"Of course, and I hope she does. But there is no question that she is now the third wheel... Although, I suppose if Tattoo will allow it, we could still do the triangle thing as two horses and a human."

"I am afraid I cannot allow that," he said seductively. "You see, I swore an oath to Hipponaur to be faithful to you forever..."

And we kissed - REALLY kissed for the first time as two horses. His tongue burrowed deep into my mouth, and for once I could fit it completely inside, and I could do the same to him, and even count his teeth without looking. He moaned with such passion as we continued the lingual exchange, that I suspected he had never kissed another horse so deeply before, not even Shianna. Though my hind legs were still shaky, the rest of my body was functioning okay, and the reason I could tell was because my backside was getting very wet. At first I was worried he would reject me because of the body I occupied, but he set those fears to rest immediately when he moaned the magic words, "I want to fuck you."

"What? Here?" I teased. "Zhorelle's body isn't even cold. How do you think she'd feel if you fucked it slow and deep after she passed on?"

"She would be utterly furious," he sighed, still kissing me.

"Yes, she would," I said, laughing seductively, "but I don't see how her wet horny corpse could possibly prevent you from ravaging it."

I couldn't stand yet, so instead, I set down again. I had enough hind leg support to be able to present myself to my lover low to the ground. He moved behind me and stuck his nose in. Then, growling with lust, he lowered himself into position, and slid his thirty inches inside. He rode on top of me resting on his elbows and knees, and grinding his hips like he had done with Shianna, making it plain that this would not be another in there and out-a-there session. I turned my head to him, and because we were low to the ground, he could reach my face and kiss me. It was awkward, but it worked. And then I discovered something else that worked: my prehensile clitoris. I could push it into his grinding cock and rub it back and forth, and it triggered something in my head that said it was now time to cum. My cunt contracted around his cock as the first orgasm hit, he snorted and continued to try to force in more of what was already all the way in. The second orgasm hit me and he grrr'ed another passionate growl, and still continued, making three short sharp thrusts and then following through with more sexy grinding. After my third orgasmic contraction, his own dry climax came. We hadn't linked this time, we both came the old fashioned way. Yet we continued to kiss and gently grind because there was no reason to do anything else.

"Mmmmm," he sighed, "that was the best time I have ever had with Zhorelle."

"May she rest in peace."

"Yes," he said, "and although I am still shooting blanks, I think I issued just enough to officially christen this body, 'The Daniel Racher.' Companion, it is now legally yours to do with as you please."

"Wasn't I just doing it?" I sighed.

"No, that was ME doing it."

Though I still felt like a man emotionally, I could really get used to having a cunt. And since that was basically how I used my ass, nothing much had really changed.

"Do you still consider me to be 'mostly a man'?" I asked my mate.

"There is no question in my mind that you are still a man. Your soul and identity is that of a human male, and is still the fundamental basis for my attraction to you. The fact that your shell is that of a Hipponaur female is secondary. Although, I must admit, you are now one really HOT babe, and when word gets out that the Wraith is a mare,... let's just say that you will become very popular."

"The stallions are still going to want to bond with me?"

"I would," he said. "Even though we know Mourne's Prophecy to be false, we have lived with it for so long that it has become imprinted on our race. But you need not be concerned. No honorable stallion will force himself upon you, and I will be there to protect you from the few dishonorable ones."

"If you just keep me plugged up like this, then no one else will get an opportunity."

"Hmmm," he smiled, "I like that plan."

"And speaking of prophecies," I said, "it just occurred to me that both of my dreams came true: I got swallowed by the Devil and I have a womb. And I had just assumed the reflection in my womb dream was Tantau, but it was really Tattoo... except, that you and I didn't make Tattoo."

"Didn't we?" he said. "Is it not my essence that enabled you to become pregnant?"

"That could be, I suppose, but what good are these visions if you can't make any sense of them?"

"I thought you understood from the very beginning," he said. "They are worth squat. And now something has just occurred to ME. As my bond mare, you will likely be spending the rest of eternity pregnant."

"Ho, ho, ho... I don't think so! You're forgetting I'm still Daniel Racher - the ASS man! Besides, I know they make condoms for horses."

"Hi Daddy."

"Oh, Rovaun, Tattoo's back online. Do you want to say hello to your son?"

"Yes, but perhaps you should straighten him out, first."

"Yeah, you're right... Hi Tattoo."

"I love you, Daddy."

"And I love you, Tattoo. I want you to call me Mommy from now on, okay?"

"Mommy is gone."

"Yes that's right, I am your new Mommy and Rovaun is your new Daddy, okay?"

"Hi Daddy."

"No, I am Mommy now. Can you say 'Hi Mommy'?"

"Hi Mommy."

"Good! Mommy loves Tattoo."

"Tattoo loves Mommy."

"Excellent. Okay Rovaun, I think he's ready. You're up."

"Hello Tattoo. This is your new Daddy."

[Silence]

"Can you hear me, Tattoo?"

[Silence]

"I don't think he can hear me, yet, Companion. Perhaps you can deliver the message."

"Okay... Tattoo, could you hear your new Daddy just now?"

"Hi Daddy."

"No, I'm Mommy... Er, Rovaun, maybe we should introduce you tomorrow."

A cold breeze whipped up on the exposed side of the hill where we lay coupled.

"Perhaps we should try to seek warmer shelter for the night," said Rovaun.

"I'm perfectly cozy right here wearing my horse blanket."

"Heh-heh-heh, and you had better get used to it, too," he cooed, licking my ear. "Nevertheless, as enjoyable as it is being connected to you, Companion, we should try to get going."

He wetly pulled out of me and climbed off. I pushed myself up with my front legs and was able to fully raise up with my hind legs as well. I rotated my back hooves, then practiced standing on three legs at a time, lifting each one up separately.

"I think I'm ready," I said, "but please stay close and take it slow."

"Forever and always," he said.

Walking on four legs was not too different from crawling. I just had to remember to use my feet, not my knees. After getting a rhythm down, motion was not a problem. Momentum and balance, however, were tricky now that I weighed over a thousand pounds. Fortunately, Rovaun stayed close in front of me while descending the hill, his ass providing a nice buffer whenever I slid forward losing my footing. Occasionally he flicked his tail, revealing his delicious balls, and I suddenly remembered that my nose was no longer virtual and I would be able to bury it in them again for real.

"Companion, hold up for a moment, please," I said.

"What is it?"

"Would you mind if I test out my nose?"

"Not at all," he said, lifting his tail, fully aware of my favorite smell.

I pressed my nose into his nuts and took a hit, then blasted a stream of piss out the back. EEYYYOOOWWWWW! My new Hipponaur nose was amazing. I had never TRULY smelled his balls until now, and the endorphins pumping through my brain drove me wild. I snorted at him with bestial desire and leered with blazing eyes. He looked back at me and smiled.

"Welcome to my world," he said.

"You've got to fuck me again! Fuck me hard!! Fuck me RIGHT NOW!!"

He turned around and hugged me instead.

"Whoa there, big fella," he said, bringing me down to earth again. "Of course I will oblige you, Companion, but let's find a spot more accommodating off of the hill."

He had me whimpering with lust, but once I settled down, we continued the trek downward in the moonlight.

"It pleases me that you find me so desirable," he said.

"It pleases me that you ARE so fucking desirable!"

I tried not to dwell on his backside while we continued the rest of the way down. I followed his footing, instead. As time passed, the insatiable lust lost its edge, and mellowed into mere sexual craving, which I could control and treat more prudently. My Companion, of course, was aware of this, being pretty smart for a horse.

At the bottom, we found a comfy spot near the edge of a small meadow. Thick grass made for a nice bed, and towering conifers provided a reasonable wind break.

"Do you still want to fuck?" he asked.

"Not anymore," I said, laying down on my back in the same dopey dog position I had Rovaun do once.

"I'd rather make love... face-to-face."

Though he was not erect, he was quick to climb over me placing his sheath at my vulva, then he set down chest-to-chest. I hugged him with my horse legs after he pinned me on all sides, making it easier for me to balance. When we kissed, I felt him enter me, growing along with his passion.

"Ohhh, Companion," he moaned. "You never cease to delight me."

"It's a full time job," I sighed blissfully.

His balls pressed into my ass as he started up the grinding again, but then he couldn't resist thrusting, perhaps because this human sex position elicited a bit of the Primitive in him. The sex was animated but not violent. He snorted and grunted along with his pile-driving, and soon I joined the chorus. The noisy spectacle probably frightened off more nocturnal creatures than it attracted. My clitoris started sparking like a lit fuse and I linked with my mate to give him a taste of it. He brayed deliriously and thrust deep and hard triggering a fiery climax in me quickly followed by his own. It wasn't the best one, and it wasn't the worst, but it would be remembered by both of us forever.

We gazed into each other's eyes and giggled like newlyweds while our heavy breathing subsided. Then I nudged him over and he landed with a plop on his side while we maintained the full body hug and sexual connection. Our heads rested on the ground while we nuzzled nosetips and held each other.

"I'll let you in on a secret," he said. "I knew this would happen."

"What? That I would take over Zhorelle's body?"

"No, that I would frequently cheat on my Companion by making love with my bond mare while he was not around. I had, of course, assumed it was Zhorelle that I was cheating with. I like this outcome so much better."

"Destiny can be a devious bitch. Seeing yourself in love with Zhorelle must have been freaky."

"'Freaky' does not adequately describe the anxiety those visions caused me. One of them was of this exact moment, you and me coupled in such a way that could only have been achieved mutually. I stayed as far away from Zhorelle as I could. That dream would never come true if I could prevent it."

"And now?"

"And now," he smiled, "Poor Tattoo is going to have a difficult time being born with me constantly blocking his escape route."

"I'm sure I can fit you in some other place while giving birth."

He nuzzled my nose some more. "My goodness, you ARE a filthy slut, aren't you."

"The filthiest."

"Then you must need another bath."

"Perhaps tomorrow," I said, yawning, "after you service me, of course."

"It will always be a pleasure to service you, dear Companion," he said, kissing me good-night.

That night I had a dream. It was a dream of my destiny. It was simple and straight forward, requiring no debate or analysis. I dreamt I was a horse. I dreamt I had a mate. I dreamt I was in love. I dreamt I was happy. And I had no regrets.

#

[End of _COMPANIONS_ Chapter 10: Hell]

[This concludes Part 4 of the series. Take a break.]

[Next in series: Chapter 11: Back to Hipponaur]