It has been many moon since I first laid my eyes on Aithne. It has been many, many moons but I have seen and felt the difference that time has given us. I have sensed how she feels, how that has morphed, and how I react to it morphs as well. I have known from the moment her image burned into my mind and her scent laid permanently in my nose that I was to be all she needed me to be. It was something I could never deny, and never thought of denying or running away from. I did give her the space that she needed, and if she never came to me then so be it. But on this day, she does come to me, and she is the one who gently touched me and made my fur tingle down my spine. It is a trust that I have formed over these many moons, and I trust I never intend to violate.
She moves to sit beside me, our dark furs brushing against each other. I am at peace here, among the quiet breezes of winter surrounded by the green that remains of the swamps. I gazed out onto the land before us, the land that is ruled by the Empress beside me, whom I would give my life for without a single twitch or thought. Perhaps it should be a scary thought, one that I should not embrace and yet it is a thought that I hold dear- that I can and will protect her when the time comes, because I only wish her safety above all else. I then turn my long muzzle towards her as she speaks to me. My ears slide towards her as I listen. I did not mind waiting for her, and my lavender and blue eyes reflect such a notion as they continue to fall upon her. I would wait for however long was needed. Yet I do not enjoy the burdens that are laid upon her, with the death of the previous leader Andras. As far as I am aware, the body still lingers in the rather odd area of Iromar that was once considered his throne. It is a place of death and decay. I am not positive the reasoning for such a place. Then there was the matter of Raven. She was a trusted member of the pack- now absent. I frowned slightly at the notion. My muzzle moves in to nudge her shoulder gently. A gesture of comforting. I do not know this Raven or else I would go searching for her. I suppose I can always keep my eyes and ears open.
"We will find her, or she will find her way back here. My mother, sisters, and brothers have all wandered away from home for many moons, only to return if for but a moment," I say gently, with a reassuring smile although there is a sharp pain that lingers in my words. Much of my family is lost to me now. Mother came back only to leave again. Mara never came back. Octavia left long ago, returned, only to leave once more, and same for Judas. Only Vesper and Cersei remained a constant.
Aithne even speaks of how I am doing and if I miss Glorall. I do indeed miss the place, and my father with it. He had left Iromar, and I have caught no trace of him in Moladion. I do not know why my father left, but my family all seems to leave at some point despite how hard I tried to keep them together. Perhaps that is the nature of families. I look away briefly from Aithne, looking in the direction of Glorall with a sigh.
"Glorall is of the past- of a thing out of reach of paw for what it once was. My mind must be set to purpose for what may be formed of the future," I say with a calm assuring confidence, my dark visage flowing back to Aithne with a warm smile once more painted upon it. My forehead reaches over, slowly, as it reaches to her own forehead, eyes closing to simply enjoy touch if allowed.
"That future is here, with you, Aithne," I whisper like the quiet buzz of a bee, my own heart wanting to jump from my chest. I pull away, only to move in one swoop so I am standing before her, facing her but only inches away with my eyes glowing, the snow increasing in size and quantity as it floats down from the grey-touched sky. It begins to find homes upon my fur, sticking on the ends so that I might even glitter with it. I draw breath. It is cold on my lungs, but it s breath that I will not forget.
"I can love no other, Aithne. It is you, and has always been you, from the moment my eyes captured your image. I will forever be by your side if you wish," I say, my lavender eyes touched with blue of dark waters looking into her own, my very soul filling them to the brim. They are eyes gentle and accepting of whatever decision she decides to make. At the very least, she must know and hear it from my tongue. My ears pull back slightly in a touch of hesitation as I await her reaction, gauging what might be needed of me. It is never like me to pressure, and I do hope it does not come off as such. I am just simply swelling to the brim with my own emotions, my own need that is perhaps selfish, to show her my love, to let her know that I will sleep by her in her den and give fang to any who dare enter, that I will be there when she has to end the life of Alphas on the verge of death, or whatever situation may arise. I will be her shadow and her beating heart. I will be sacrificed for her for I am but a piece of her- she is my other half and I cannot deny it. I memorize every moment and breath after I tell her, hoping for some form of acceptance no matter how small.
"Only if you wish," I say, dipping my head slightly as I stand before her. Ultimately, I am as vulnerable as I can be right now, almost as if my throat is offered to sever the jugular. She holds my fate- she has and will always hold it. I can only hope that she will hold it dear to her heart.
Praetor
Six-No Love-Soul of Aithne-Prince of Glorall