In the grand scheme of things, now was not the time to be leaving the Cove. His reign was barely established, and the matter of Çiçek’s absence was yet unresolved, and yet there was no amount of logic that could talk him out of this visit. The hole left by Daciana's departure was larger than he had any way of describing. She had been at his side since the beginning, and while his confidence in her had wavered at times, she had always been there when he needed her. Whether it was defending Quinn from being raided, or rallying the herd when the wolves had pressed too close, she had always been there to protect the herd.

Now, they were left floundering.

He was grateful for Ysabel and her calm leadership; it helped to know that she was still there when he could not be. In addition to Kendry, it gave him some peace of mind, although he knew it was not enough. They had all been there when Panzer attacked, and yet here they were now - his herd terrorized and his queen missing.

Solomon does not waste time trying to hunt his beautiful enchantress down. He is not here to raid her away just yet, although every fiber of his being argues to do just that. No, today is reserved to check on her well-being and to make sure that she managed to escape the autumn unscathed. If she had been forced into a child she did not want, he would be sure to castrate the perpetrator, even if it did make him slightly hypocritical.

The lean tobiano calls for his missing Queen the second his hooves cross the border of the Lagoon, his head immediately lifting to search for her distinctive figure. He knew that there was a good chance that Cullen or one of his lackeys would show up first, but it was a risk he was willing to take. He had to know that she was okay, if only to appease him in the short amount of time that she would be away from the Cove.

Solomon