Iris’ body moved to stand beside her, lips trailing over her cheek. Adelheid shifted just so to keep the woman in her sights. She spoke, Adelheid’s dark ears twisting to catch every word. At first she opened her mouth to respond, only to fall silent as her words washed over her. A realization hit her, and she looked away in shame. Instinctually, biting words sparked on her tongue, only to be bit harshly back by her teeth.

Her head lowered, releasing the words with a sigh. Almost desperately she tried to think of a time Iris would have seen her in a state of anything other than rage. For the seasons Iris had been at home in the Peak, Adelheid’s joys had been wrapped around her children. Every feeling she had was buffered by the playful antics of the children. Her smiles had been hidden in their manes, her laughter muffled by their glee. Any time there had been the chance of someone else seeing her vulnerability she had hidden it again behind her stony eyes and lied to say it was only her children who could bring it out of her.

Adelheid looked back at Iris’ face, searching every line for an answer, or a clue, anything that would have told her what she wanted to know. Did she truly want to stay here, with her, even if she saw the best?

Flesh twitched under her dark coat. Uncertainty crept into her chest. For the first time, she did not know what words could come to her, or in which tone to speak. Fear flooded her. What if there was nothing better than what she had been? She looked at Iris, scared for the fact she was all she was, and that was what stood before her.

She tore her gaze from the painted mare beside her and looked into the distance. There was one place she knew she could be her best. It was the only place she had felt at peace.

Will you come with me to the Falls tomorrow morning? Before the sun fully rises?