Loss is a thing that Aithne cannot fathom, not in the sense that others had felt it. Never in her life has she felt such a bond as she did with Praetor. It was instinctual, the pull that drove her to seek his touch at night and to succumb to the desire of progeny. A far cry from what she had been before, furious at the world and wary of all things male. Time had a way of changing things. While that wound would never fully heal it had scabbed over and scarred but Praetor put those memories to bed with each sweet touch he gave her. Each moment they spent with the simplicity of their love, never demanding anything from the other, always giving even if Aithne was more reserved than he was. It is a good thing that Praetor was so understanding for other mates might feel hurt when she did not embrace them before the world. Giving him the title of her mate and Emperor was her declaration to the world, she did not need to lick him before visitors. What she took from him was only comfort when needed because just his presence was enough to sooth her, the tingle of their tails brushing together a sign of union.

She has no doubt that Praetor will be thrilled with the news she carries in her belly. If he hasn't already figured it out she imagines he will be over the moon. The idea of his grin eases her melancholy mood, lips twitching in a ghost of a smile because in his happiness she shared a joy, their souls reveling in the flight the other could take. Never has he disappointed her. Never has she felt anger towards him or hurt. It was a solid love they shared, solid as a rock and nothing like the mud that sticks between her toes, molding and flaking when it dried.

Speaking of mud... she resisted the urge to begin digging then and there as another wave of hunger crashes over her. While frog was the thing she craved she also longed for the taste of hot blood and warm flesh. A swamp deer would be splendid but now she had to be careful. Hunting those deer was a thing done with more than one wolf and it was not to be taken lightly while pregnant. One good kick from those hooves or a puncture wound and it was all over. A low growl rumbles from her chest at her disappointment and then frustration at herself for jumping from one thing to another to another. Just kill something and eat it, she grouses to herself, preparing to stand up when a white figure catches her attention.

Emerald eyes snap to him, her hackles immediately rising at this unfamiliar wolf. A surprised expression crosses her face, jaw parting slightly and eyes widening as her fur lays back down because he is not a stranger. Tesseract. What had drawn the fallen king back? She hoped it was Praetor and Vesper for both had seemed sorrowful at his absence. "Tesseract?" She counters, her raspy voice high in surprise. He had not seemed the overly friendly sort the last time she had met him, granted, he had just been toppled from his throne and wounded.

I'm sorry. I had to come.

"There is no need to apologize. You are welcome here because you are family." She says, her voice somewhat hesitant to call him family because it feels intimate, a thing that she is so adverse to. Still, it was true, and she would never turn him away because his presence would bring joy to her friend and her mate. "You have been gone a while." A statement, needing no reply even if a question underlies it. Her gaze skips past him to glance around the bogs, making sure she had not missed any other intruders. "Praetor will be glad you are back. Especially now," she adds, not elaborating just yet as a faint smile creases her lips, worry clouding her eyes. But she can't help the rush of words next - he would know the answers. "What is it like? Being a parent, I mean. How do you do it?" Like it is some machine that could be worked with precision, like he would have the set answers to such a cryptic question.

Seven - Empress of Iromar - fated for Praetor

aithne