I wait about an hour for Pico to gather her few belongings and feed Zank one final time. Then I lift her and the pup onto my horse with ease. Pico settles in front of me, her soft, furry body pressing warmly against my chest. Her swollen breasts rest heavily against my forearm as I reach around to hold the reins. The faint scent of milk and warm fur fills my nose. I swing up behind her, wrap one arm firmly around her waist, and nudge the horse forward. Then we ride out of the village together.
Pico stays quiet at first, clutching Zank tightly to her chest while her tail curls around my thigh. As we reach the fenced border, her ears perk straight up and her eyes widen with pure wonder. She twists slightly to stare at the towering metal barricades and the open road stretching ahead.
"Master…" she breathes, her voice filled with awe. "This is the first time I've ever gone this far. All my life, I've only known the village and the nearby ones."
