It was an odd feeling that was encompassing and shrouding Horizon’s thoughts. He felt like he was simultaneously walking on eggshells and clouds. At any moment this beautiful moment could slip from his hands and he would fall back down to earth. Shasta’s presence felt like a dream; unattainable, ghostly, and likely to leave at any given moment if he said or did the wrong thing. And that was the last thing he wanted to happen right now, everything about this moment felt right. Horizon couldn’t tell if it was the heat of her skin against his, the soft rise and fall of her chest in rhythm with his, or the subtle layer of ease that rested over the two of them. But no matter what the cause he begged silently for this to never end or at least not soon. He hadn’t felt this happy in years. He honestly didn’t think he’d ever truly been this happy or relaxed. But like usual he killed the moment by letting logic back into his mind. And as he jerked away he saw the confused look that had taken over Shasta’s features. A needle stuck into his chest and guilt filled through the puncture wound and into his chest, but not even the guilt could overcome the emotions that filled him each time he looked at Shasta.

He just couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her.

For most of his life there had only ever been one feminine figure in his life. That had been his mother. The only woman he’d ever admit to loving. She had been his whole world, his savior and the only reason he had strived to live. Unlike most servant’s family, Horizon’s mother had been spared. He never understood why, but he didn’t question it either. His mother, Akela, had never really been chosen as breeding stock. The circumstance around her mating with Farant had never been clear and any hints of the truth had been long buried, but somewhere deep inside Horizon wondered if Farant had spared his mother out of feelings. It was a vague and hopeless thing to believe considering Farant’s track record with women and other wolves in general. Most of them ended up dead, used as practice dummies for his army, or servants for the multitudes of royals that infested the place. Horizon’s servitude had been Farant’s way of keeping him quiet, because a servant that spoke out was made forcibly mute or died. And one had better hoped that the King was in a good enough mood to only take a tongue or other body part. Horizon had learned to be mute without having to be told. The only wolf who heard his voice was Akela. She never forced him to speak. She understood like no other the pain and torture that he endured and watched each and every day. She helped Horizon keep his sanity, just like Shasta was now currently doing. And she probably didn’t even realize it.

Every bit of anxiousness and worry seemed to fall away when the herculean was with her. No other being had ever come this close to him, so quickly. And every part of his mind screamed for him to run. This wasn’t logical, it didn’t make sense! But every other piece of his fracture heart and soul begged him to stay, because the longer he stayed the more he became whole again. There was even a start of budding confidence, that he so desperately wanted to foster. And to hear her thank him seemed to be just that thing he needed, Thank you, Horizon. I have never had someone to call a friend before. Horizon smiled reflectively, knowing very well how that felt. He knew loneliness like no other, hell it was his friend half the time. He was a loner that had a place to call home. Shasta finally made him feel as if he was not so lonely in the world, that maybe there was someone that he could allow himself to become close to if he wanted. But even if he hadn’t wanted to, which was not the case, Horizon didn’t think he could have stopped himself. There was some sort of intrinsic light that Shasta had that drew him in like a moth to a flame. Maybe that’s why it had been so easy to invite her into his home, Munashii Gekko.

The smile that lit her features was enough to put Horizon on a high. That means a lot to me Horizon. I feel like visits with you in the future could be much more enjoyable. What was your plan for this afternoon? And he couldn’t help but chuckle. Plans? Horizon was amused by the thought, but he shook his head, I have no plans in the foreseeable future, Shasta. I’ve never really had anyone to make time to see. I’ve lived a rather lonesome life. Mismatched pools of mud and amber looked towards his companions oceans of espresso and yet again he found himself forcing himself not to get lost in their eternal depths. He just couldn’t figure out how she seemed to mesmerize him without even trying! Hell, she didn’t even seem to know that she had this effect on him, but he was doing everything he could to hide it.

Horizon pulled away his gaze and looked out over the cliffs edge, If you have no other plans maybe you and I could… the bastard kalak suddenly found himself tongue tied and unable to finish his thought. Do what? Go back to Munashii? Go wander the plains of Blossom Field? Going back to Cold Summers was certainly not an option, not right now. Maybe not for a while, —well I don’t know. Did you have anything in mind? Horizon really didn’t care where or what they did just as long as he had Shasta by his side. She seemed to hold the key to his happiness, not that he was complaining.