Vihaan acknowledges Cain’s response with a dip of her muzzle, but remains silent, out of respect and empathy. All the burdens he bears, both those he brought upon himself, and those brought upon him by life, they grieve her. After several moments, the dunalino mare speaks up once more, hoping to reassure Cain, and figuratively placing herself once more into his hands. “I came back to you, as I said I would. And even now, I’m choosing you Cain, but the choice is yours as to whether or not I’ll stay.” She paused, considering her words, but not wanting to draw out the anticipation Cain surely felt (for with a certainty, she felt it blooming anxiety within her own heart). “I need you to make peace with my family,” Vihaan said evenly, her tone mild, voice soft. “And I want…” she trailed off, uncharacteristically uncertain of herself, but she knew Cain well enough that he’d insist on her finishing that sentence.

Is that not what their relationship had been forged from – openness and honesty?

“I know that, despite – or maybe because of – everything that’s happened between us, you want to protect me. You don’t want me to fight, or to get hurt,” Vihaan continued, shifting her weight as she spoke, casting her gaze away, only to direct it back towards him without delay. “But I am a fighter Cain. I won’t deny who I am, and I don’t want you to either.” She held her ground and steadied her gaze, wanting Cain to see the truth of who she was in her eyes, even as she searched his. But this was a formality, granted out of her respect, and her deep affection for him. It was not her ultimatum. The most important thing to her was peace. How could she be content when her Homes, her Families, were at odds with one another? It tore her in two, and made her heart ache fiercely in her breast.

Still, she would not, could not leave certain things unsaid. It wouldn’t be fair, not to either of them, if she did not speak her mind. “I will stay, if you seek to make peace, and I will be content. But true, deep happiness will only last in my heart if you allow me to stand and serve as your equal, and become all things to you – a support, a protection, a gentle guiding hand, a confidante and counsel.” After all, Vihaan knew firsthand that it was not just a fierce fighter that made one well suited to the position of Lead Mare. Her own mother, a gentle and wise creature capable of being fierce when necessary, had been a role-model for Vihaan all her life.

“I have not forgotten what I vowed to you on the Crossing all that time ago. ‘I will fight with you and for you.’ If you would honour me by allowing this, it would mean so much to me.” It was a weight off her shoulders, to have finally spoken these thoughts aloud, these that she had kept caged for so long. But, instead of brightening, the light in her eyes softened, as did the smile upon her lips. A sudden melancholy came over her, and she took a step back, fearing that she’d asked too much and painted herself greedy. “I will accept whatever you decide, and if I overstepped, I ask forgiveness.”

Vihaan