As the temperatures dropped and the snow fell more frequently, Zevulun, Mariael and the herd retreated into the caverns near the hot springs deep in the Bay’s territory. They’d been lucky enough to increase their numbers, and thus the duty of leaving the sanctity of the warm caverns and checking for stranded horses or lurking predators didn’t only fall onto Zevulun and his sister’s shoulders. The duties were now evenly dispersed, which offered Zevulun more time to cuddle up to Avalon and watch with bated breath as the sides of her belly stretched wider with every day that passed. The thought of being a father filled him with a euphoria he hadn’t realized was possible. He could hardly wait to see the child and he worried constantly over Avalon’s wellbeing. There were even times Mariael gave him a sharp command to go check the near perimeter and he often wondered if it was her quiet way of offering Avalon a little peace of mind.
Thus, Zevulun was away from the dimness of the warm cavern and lurking on the edge of the hot spring, the steam raising from the water a muggy, comforting fog wrapping over his pale body. He’d go back in soon, he decided, thinking enough time had passed that he’d be welcome to return. It was just then, however, that he heard a call at the other end of the largest hot spring and the steam rising over the water was too thick to see anything other than a vague horse-shape. Curious, Zevulun edged around the bank of the spring, ears forward as he went.
Who he saw stopped him in his tracks. Zevulun’s blue eyes widened, looking up his twin sister, and such happiness filled him that he reared up – a small, bouncing half-rear – and whinnied in joy before starting forward as quick as he could safely go on the icy snow below his hooves. He made quick work of rushing to Auraleigh’s side, his heart beating rapidly in his chest as he didn’t hesitate to press his muzzle against her neck and breathe deep the smell of his dear sister. When he pulled back he wasn’t terribly surprised to feel a chill against his cheeks where he’d cried a few tears of relief and happiness. It was as if he’d woken up, seeing her here again, as if he’d suppressed all his grief at having their closeness severed.
“Auraleigh,” he breathed with a happy smile once he’d moved back to look at her. “You’re here. You’re really, truly here.”
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