Vihaan felt her heart swell within her, the affection she felt for the stallion before her stoking into something like love. He wished he could go with her… He wanted to protect her still, even though she was ready to risk everything they’d built between them. "I understand. And I know the danger of the path I choose to walk. I would never ask anyone I care about to walk it with me." Breath catching in her throat as it tightened with emotion, she merely nodded, swallowing as she felt her eyes string with the beginning of tears – born of her feelings for Cain and Akello, and her fears for her family on Luthien. In the hopes of preventing Cain from noticing, she stepped into his embrace, tucking her muzzle beneath his chin, inhaling his now-familiar and comforting scent, steadying herself for all that was to come. "Look after our boy. Primrose will help," she murmured, breathing her words against the curve of his throat.

Her heart quivered again, reminded anew of the presence of another long-lost sister who’d been with her all the time she’d spent in the Desert. What Cain had done to the palomino and white daughter of Shamwari was a weight that Vihaan carried with her, and it hurt. Since the revelation of the connection between the two Desert mares and the departure of their father from Salem, Vihaan had not spoken to Cain of it, and had made it clear she was not ready to listen to anything he had to say about it. It lay like a stone between them, dragging Vihaan down. In time, perhaps she’d be free of this burden, or else learn to live with it, but for now, it was left alone.

With a decisive burst of movement, Vihaan pulled herself forcefully away, for fear that she would lose her nerve. To forsake her family, and stand idly by while they suffered at the hands of others would break her spirit, and she hoped that no matter what lay ahead of her, no matter what condition she returned to Cain in, that he’d forgive her. Because she knew for certain that she’d never forgive herself if she did not go now. The fierce, loyal dunalino mare stood in the rolling surf, water up to her knees, lapping hungrily at her chest. One last glance was thrown over her shoulder. She sought Cain’s gaze, held it, and left him with two simple words loaded with meaning and importance.

"I promise."

And then she turned from him, set her sights on the island beyond Atlantis, and allowed the ocean to bear her away.