A year ago Rade’s cracking voice and tear streaked face would have fallen on a stone heart and met with cutting words. Adelheid recalled her final words to her own mother and the ice within her melted further as she looked over the golden stallion. Without a word, she promised to keep this moment of vulnerability, of pain and weakness, as a secret between them. The stallion that stood before her now was very different from the one who had spoken with her in the forests a season ago. He showed his caring for his child and the fear that the colt might die. She looked down at the colt who was still struggling to stand, her mind working quickly as her daughter took charge and moved him towards the mare.

Rade’s relief was palpable when the boy finally drank from Adelheid. Though the stallion was able to smother his sigh, the mare visibly relaxed when she felt the foal’s lips. With the single touch she gave in. Her gentle nose turned to the roan colt and she gently ran her tongue over his peach fuzz fur as if he had just come from her. With each pass she inhaled his scent, committing it to memory and unconsciously vowing to protect him with the same ferocity she would the filly beaming at his side. Contrary to her words, the Codebreaker had given her life for her child and would do the same for this son of another.

Pleased so far with her part in this rescue, Claudya grinned at the new colt. She stepped aside, giving him all the room he needed. See! We don’t bite! the girl teased, earning snort and a playful snap from her mother, a snap that landed feet away from the filly’s shoulder but sent her skittering away with laughter anyway. Smiling from ear to ear, Claudya danced away from her mom and pranced around Rade, not interrupting further, but clearly intensely interested in who this stallion was and why her mother seemed even more on edge than usual around him.

Adelheid’s dark ears flicked back to the gold when he spoke, giving him the grace of once again not commenting or capitalizing on the fear he showed with every second. Before she gave the stallion her attention she assured herself the boy was tucked securely to her side so he could feed with the comfort of having another body beside him, and so he could lean against her and use her strength as a support. Not one season. she countered, no question or room for discussion in her voice. Two years. I will raise him beside my daughter. He can know you are his father if you wish. After two years, once I know he is strong enough to stand on his own, he can choose his path. Same as any youth. With the colt against her body, Adelheid could not deny the already growing protective nature that burned within her. She already cared for the child and would see him through into his young adulthood. It was not in her to deny a father his right to see his son, but nor was she going to allow him to take away something she was being asked to learn to possibly love.

Momma. Is this my dad? Claudya interrupted, her neck outstretched and staring raptly at Rade’s golden face.

Adelheid smirked at her blood spawn. No, my dear. Your father was...bigger… By at least a hand and a half, Adelheid thought, mildly concerned about how tall Claudya would grow to be. Another look at Rade’s face and the Vulcan dropped all her pretense. Claws shrank back, venom dried up, and her shield fell to at ease. For the first time in their relationship, Adelheid’s voice attempted to hold a note of comfort. You can trust me with him, Rade. He will live. He may even thrive. she looked pointedly at her daughter, who was now trying to investigate the colt from the other side and under her mother. Clearly she was trying to be respectful of the colt’s space, while being as invasive as possible.

Adelheid once more gently nuzzled the roan foal at her side, letting her feelings sink in and settle with their meshing of scents. What is the name? she asked both colt and stallion at the same time.