He would take all her bad days and times them by a hundred and still, he would not complain. She was his goddess and no one could be at her level in his eye. He didn't know what all she had been through, what rough patches she might have seen in the years he wasn't here but he knew that he wanted nothing more than to protect her from everything that would mean her harm ever again. He didn't care if she lashed out at him some days or even snapped at him. He would never turn his back on her. Never again. He gave her space when she asked for it and never pried. He knew that he had his own secrets and so he never asked for her to share hers. She might have snaffled anything and he wouldn't care. He had started hearing the rumors of Aranck and the witch who stood at his side, the witch who was now mysteriously gone from Iromar, shadowed away in the dark of night. He would never guess that she had been on the throne. She was queen of his world but never did he think she would gain that title on her own.

He didn't link the two, only wondered sometimes if there was more to her story that she wasn't yet ready to share. He knew that Aranck was bad news when he was alive and he was glad that the wolf was dead. Perhaps he would have ended up on his hit list some day but luckily someone else got to him first. Now he had only to worry about the assassins finding out where he was and worse yet, finding out who he shared a den with. He worried that they might use Malleah against him, take her as a weakness and decide she's better off dead so he can come back to them. He knew he had become a great weapon while in their care but he didn't want that for the rest of his life. Still, he knew the life of an assassin wasn't one you just walk away from. His father was the story of that. It had scarred him internally more so than anyone else could ever see. Exodus understood that now more than ever. He was scarred himself and he'd only been at it for 4 years.

Her moods tended to swing back and forth but he handled it the best way he could. He knew that she had skeletons in her closet but he didn't care about that. He wondered if the seasons had anything to do with her mood. She was affectionate and sensual in the cold of the winter but as spring grew close, she was getting more moody and wanting more distance. He didn't know how these things worked, the whole being pregnant and how it messes with a female's moods. He'd never experienced this before, at least not firsthand. He figured that was just how it went and this was his consequence for giving into his winter urges. He didn't care either way though. He would do it all again in a heartbeat just to be with her. This was his dream come true. Malleah was and would always be his dream. She leaned into him and sighed and hsi ears flicked back in worry, eyes softening as he looked at her, trying to read her expression. She told him that she wanted to hear his voice, that she could still hear "his," though they had never broached the subject of who "he" was.

"Then I'll talk all night if only to give your beautiful ears some rest. What should I do? A story? Or should I sing? I've heard I have the voice of an angel. Really, you shouldn't miss out on it."

He gave her a small smirk, hoping to lighten the mood, his brow rising playfully as his eyes twinkled at her. He could tell she was faltering, her expression showing shame and embarassment for hinting at this other male yet knowing he didn't even have a name to put to it. He didn't want her to feel ashamed about anything , especially with him. She talked of curses and Aithne. He knew she was the former queen of Iromar before Aranck took over. There were whispers that he killed her. He tilted his head, listening carefully. Was she trying to leave him bread crumbs? Surely she had to know that he had heard rumors. She spoke of this mystery male's downfall and how he believed he heard Aithne's voice. Then she spoke of their child and how she feared it would be cursed too. His brows rose, brows furrowing as he scowled in thught before shaking his head.

"Do I look scared? No. You know why?"

He leaned in closer to her, nuzzling along her jawline and sneaking in sly kisses.

"Because I believe that we are fated to be together and more than that, to be happy together. I believe that everything will work out and our child will be beautiful and healthy and there will be no curse. What curse could hope to overthrow such a destiny? With you by my side, Malleah, I am unstoppable. This world is ours to conquer. Without you, I am nothing. But I know as long as I have you, I have everything."

He looked into her eyes, wanting her to see all the love and hope and joy he had to share with her and their unborn child. He wanted her to see their future in his eyes, to see the light that shone on them brighter than any curse could ever hope to overcome.

Exodus_male_9 years_41in_195#_loved by Malleah_unable to imprint_father of Lucia_loner