With weeping and with wailing, accursed spirit, do thou remain

The silence grew between them, but it was not particularly uncomfortable.

Dual dark gazes watched the ivory lady, watched her gaze draw past them to the open space behind them. And still they waited quietly. They watched as she drew in a deep breath, seemingly to calm herself though they were not sure.

And then a ray of light. Literally.

A small smile appeared on Dante’s face as he watched her. She stepped forward, somewhat tentatively, her eyes closed and her nose pointed skyward, meeting the sun. He smiled because this moment was so unexpected, he smiled because he thought of her without feeling guilt eating him from the inside, for the first time since that fateful day so many years ago. He smiled because such a small gesture had made him feel so alive.

His gaze was still on her, and Divina’s as well. The she-wolf was not past being touched by such emotion. The mahogany stallion felt the light touch on his jaw and his gaze still did not stray as she lifted her face toward the light once more. A single ear twitched as the hummingbird spoke, answering one of the questions my duo had of why the girl’s Axian had done so much of the talking. And taking the bird’s suggestion, Dante closed his dark eyes, feeling for the warmth of the light in the darkness, stretching his neck high, his nose turned upwards. His nostrils flared widely as he breathed in the cool air, felt the world in a new way.

When his eyes opened once more she was looking at him, smiling back. Dante’s own smile widened and he watched the mare’s questioning gaze turn toward Divina. He felt her nudge his shoulder lightly before gesturing toward the red wolf once more. Two pairs of ears twitch as the hummingbird elaborates.

Dante tilts his head slightly to the side, contemplative gaze still trained on the alabaster girl. Divina’s own gaze flickers from the bird to the equine and back, wondering how she had not yet associated her relationship with Avery to Dante’s relationship with Divina. But then, how could she know? The bay beast chooses his words carefully. Trying to explain an Axian was like trying to tell a child what their “soul” was. ”Divina is connected to me, as Avery is connected to you. She is a part of me… a part of my soul. She is called an Axian in these lands, in others she might be called a familiar.”

Dante had never settled in another land with familiars, but he had heard of them in passing. Had retained the information only because knowledge gave some meaning to the years he had spent in perpetual journey. Divina steps forward carefully, nuzzles Dante’s shoulder to demonstrate his point before plopping down between his front hooves, her nose twitching wildly at the newfound strength of the female’s scent. ”I’m not that scary am I?” Divina thought rather sadly. Dante simply shook his head at her and smiled.