Hiyori; such a sweet child, but adventurous and more than annoying to her older sister. Currently she was tugging at Kaeja’s dark tail, her own pale one snapping at her hips in excitement. Delight glimmered in her blue eyes; her white face now covered in the dark strands as it laid over her head. Without her needing Mae’s current attention, and other more secretive matters not currently calling her, the moon-colored mare was taking the time to have a well-deserved break. She grazed with eyes mostly closed, her ears twisted towards her children, but not so worried about them with other peak mares near to keep an eye on them.


The mountain had been busy as of late, and Mae knew she couldn’t be overly cautious with that most dear to her heart. So, when the crisp smell of Tinuvel greets her nose, Mae’s delicate head jerks up and her sleepiness is gone. Pale blue eyes bright, ears tightly forward, a startled snort leaves her delicate nares. Staring back at her, coming towards her, was that demon’s mate.


Mae’s heart felt like bird’s wings fluttering in her chest, and her muscles tensed as if to bolt. Fell, he would know she was here. He would come for her, he would come for Kaeja. Maybe if she could distract him with the current season, maybe he would forget about his missing daughter, maybe…


I’m sorry….


Mae blinked, realizing that Kohelet was speaking, and it is not in demanding words. The black and white girl’s voice is soft, apologetic, and the look on her face anything but angry. Slowly, her heart began to quiet and a heavy breath escaped her that she hadn’t realized she had been holding. Kohelet wasn’t here to bring her back to Fell, or even Kaeja. The moment of panic she had felt wasn’t unjust, but was unneeded, and Mae forced herself to look away a moment as she tried to make her body relax. Although, it would take a little while longer for the adrenaline from near panic leave her system.


Before she could say anything, or even look at Kohelet again, Khar’pern interjected herself into the situation. Was it because of Mae’s reaction? Or something else? By now, the pale mare is sure that Kohelet must think she had rejected her since she had said nothing and looked away. So, timidly, she looked back to the black and white mare and asked, “Are you okay, Kohelet?” Mae’s voice was barely more than a whisper as she ignored the Prime Minister’s questions.