Avalon needn’t say anymore. If Zevulun had the capability he’d happily gather her up and carry her away toward the nearest cavern. “Come on,” he said gently, “you’ll have an easier go of it in the caverns.” It meant a bit more of a hike, making their way through the forest where the ground rose and eventually met the mountain range, but at least the rough pull of the wind was ever so slightly tamed by the tree coverage. The pine needles still shook at the tops of the forest trees, and a few leaves from those which shed them were a carpet soon to be covered with snow.
Zevulun guided Avalon deeper into the Bay and up, eyes falling over the ground the nearer they drew to the caverns. He looked quietly and quickly for any sign of predators having been nearby, but saw none and relaxed immediately. He’d surveyed this portion of the Bay just the day before last and Mariael, he knew, had come through here today, but it was still a good idea to check before entering. Zevulun decided he’d tell Avalon of that after she had been here for a little while. She was already facing off the cold; he didn’t want to scare her talking about predators. He made a mental note to tell her soon, before she met Mariael at least. Mariael would have thought it absolute priority to speak to every hardship Tinuvel threw a horse’s way, but Zevulun wanted Avalon to settle.
Maybe it was a little selfish on his part. He was so happy to have her here with him, somewhere in his mind he worried he might lose her. He’d promised her she could leave if she wanted to, but Zevulun would do everything he could to make certain it didn’t come to that.
There were no tracks or smells of anything dangerous near the caverns. At most he caught sight of a few hoof prints, but they were at least a day old. Zevulun offered Avalon a smile and led her into the cavern. It’s mouth was wide enough they could walk in side by side and once they cleared it, the winds were blocked outside. Unable to help himself (he just needed to touch her), Zevulun turned and brushed his lips over her shoulder, his warm breath pooling over her damp skin. “Better?” He asked softly, his voice somewhat husky.
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