There is an easing of tension at the way Praetor reacts for she can feel his joy through their bond, both heart and soul, and it calms her. Whether she was a terrible mother or not she would have Praetor there to help guide her to be better. She had no fear that Praetor would leave her in this alone. Only death could separate them and if that happened, well, it was a thought better left alone. She feels a bit guilty to have awoken him from his slumber. She should have waited to announce this until the morning when all seemed brighter and when she wasn't filled with such a grumpy mood yet hunger did things to her. It reminded her of a time before all this, before Molodian, when an empty stomach was one of the only things she had as a constant companion. Then again she never looked like this on an empty stomach, she thinks with a wry smirk twisting her lips, her eyes faraway. The children were rapidly putting weight on her entire figure - by winter's end she would look like an overstuffed bear.

She turns her wide maw towards him, waiting for him to dictate where they would go, finding a sense of calm in the purpose she allotted to him. As a ruler almost everything fell at her paws and so it was a relief to have even this simple thing taken from her. Cranes, he says, and immediately her tongue laves across her lips and her mouth begins to salivate. "Cranes! Why didn't I think of that?" She says in surprise, a light burning in her eyes as her belly fairly grumbles at the idea of the far cranes. Their feathers would make for a small bed for the pups as well if she didn't end up consuming them as well. As his body stretches into a lope hers falls behind him, letting him take point. His scent trails in his wake, her nostrils flaring to catch the scent. She should have enough of it by now and yet it is comforting and rewarding all the same. It stirs up her hormones but that is what got her into this predicament - still, she can't help but grin at his back. To have ever had such thoughts... what would Praetor say?

"Following your lead, darling," she drawls out in her hoarse voice, her mood swinging now to a more frisky and playful area now that she knows that she will be getting food soon. The closer they come to the area he had described holding the cranes the slower she moves, her body crouching to avoid any wayward noises.

Seven - Empress of Iromar - fated for Praetor

aithne