The tension in the air slowly started to dissipate. Taika could feel herself relax more in the company of the two men. She had known there was nothing to fear from either of them, and there was no need for them to fear each other. Tithe had been her protector all of her life, and Edrick had joined her in her games without a second thought. Both of them had her trust. Once they had stopped growling at each other she rolled onto her back, kicking her paws into the air as snowflakes started to fall from the sky. It was clear in every movement she made that she had no dreams of rank or ruling. True ambition was the furthest thing from her mind as she caught snowflakes on the outstretched pads of her paws and tried to watch them.
For years she had grown up with Tithe and a band of brothers who had come together in puppy comradery, looking out for each other. It had always been the group of them, running around on adventures. Still young, just barely coming into the age of maturity she could not understand the protective natures of males, she did not understand that things could change, or that another male would look at her and Tithe and think something threatening could be between them.
She looked up at Edrick from her place in the ground and stuck her pink tongue out at him, the tip of it falling back onto her nose. A low growling mutter bubbled in her throat at his new title for her, but there was still a grin gleaming in her eyes and on her face. She had his name. There was a content happiness in her as she was laying beside him at his paws, a trust she had found in his play and his chivalry. He was a wolf she did not want to lose to the wind and the time, to growth or distance. His name whispered through her mind and she knew what she would sing into the skies anytime she was lonely and wanted someone to play or to run with.
Tithes eyes watched her so easily slip into a comfortable posture next to the other male. He struggled within himself to remain calm. It took time to earn his trust, he struggled to accept the fact that he could possibly have to let go of the girl he had always called his sister.
He smirked at the other wolf. Well, Edrick, Faerie King. You should be wary of our dear, Taika. She is the daughter of Amazons. Princess or Queen, she has always played at the paws of creatures of magic. For the first time he offered the other knight a very small smile from his otherwise guarded face. Though he did not completely fall into the stories and elaborate plays Taika did, he played along to make her happy and to let the others around him have their fun.
From the ground, Taika laughed and jumped back to her feet, running around them happily. Finally, they were getting along! And Tithe affirmed her status in the world and connection to myth and magic. Tithe has been my friend since I was born! She explained, dancing around Edrick, not completely realizing she was not answering his question entirely. He was the one that would get us all out of the trouble we got ourselves into.
We grew up together. The grey continued. Myself and a couple others I would happily call brothers. Once we left our mothers we all set out together. We adopted Taika has our sister. There was a hint of sadness that clipped the edge of his voice when he spoke of their friends. He did not know if their lives too had been lost. With a growl, Taika tackled and pounced on the big male once before bounding back to Edrick and slipping into a play bow yet again.
So! Faerie Prince Edrick! The maiden felt fine giving him the title of prince, considering she had not been elevated near to deity. Are you from here? Do you know of a warm place we could lead our little friends, your trusting subjects? Or must we quest to snatch safe shelter from shadowed dangers? Her tail wagged with excitement while she waited for his answer for the winter wind was starting to speak more loudly and the snow fall more as ice. Her eyes watching him wishfully, hoping beyond hope he really was the kindred heart she thought he was.
Even Tithe looked at Edrick with what appeared to be mild expectation. Curious if he would jump once again into the worlds beyond reality that Taika so loved to explore.
Taika
Do you believe in magic? |