His connection with Denali had always baffled him, though he had slowly begun to accept it as simply fact. After all, he had been lead to believe throughout his childhood that some day, he would join with a female such as Hepzibah - she had been a female of strong bloodlines, and of royal breeding. She had been most suitable for a wolf who, at the time, had been in line to be heir. Yet, he had begun to approach his sixth year of life and rather than a princess, he had found himself oddly attached to a wolf who he might not have ever noticed otherwise. Of course, he could not think such a thing - in fact, just the idea of not noticing her had begun to sound absurd! Still, that had been the case. It made little sense but each day, he had started to feel more and more comfortable with that arrangement. Maybe things didn't need to make sense.

However, just seeing her there, above the water in such a precarious position had made him think harder about just what had made that connection. After all, he no longer felt the reluctance he once had; in fact, he had grown more than accustomed to her company. Each morning, he found himself eager to see her and to spend his days beside her. No longer did he see a weak creature unable to fend for herself but rather, a fierce survivor who had survived the very same thing that had caused his own mother's demise. All of it made him consider it: maybe she had become something more than just some unexplained connection. There had to be more to it than just some instinctual, biological occurrence.

At her comment, he could not help but puff out his chest, flashing her a toothy grin. Of course he looked like a king. After all, he might have become a has-been prince but that meant he was still a prince. Who knew? Maybe he'd make her a queen some day. If that was what she wanted, he doubted he could say no. As she descended to his level, he ambled towards her, his tail giving several stiff waves before he returned her pressure, pressing into her and breathing in her scent. Winter had always been cruel, but it was not his first. Instead, he merely reveled in the closeness provided, flicking an ear towards her at her query. After all, he was naturally inclined to believe it was not really a question. Be it the connection or be it him having spent so long beside her, he knew well enough what she meant.

What she said, however, immediately made him recoil. He took several short steps back, his brows furrowed and ears flickered back in confusion. Of course, he had never expected anybody to ask - and say - such things of him, let alone a woman like Denali. He attempted to speak for several moments, his lips moving but the words catching in his throat. Finally, with an exasperated sigh, he put his thoughts into words.

"You deserve better, though," he begun, stepping towards her, his eyes full of uncertainty. For the first time, his heart did not thump against his chest out of anger but rather... fear, perhaps. "I am a has-been prince with a broken family. I am cursed to hold the title of demon until even after I die."

He paused, his eyes locked onto hers and yet, frantically searching for answers.

"You deserve better. I want you to be happy. I want to spend each day with you. Only you. But, I am afraid I do not make you as content as you make me."