The more they traveled the more it seemed Aarushi had forgotten her rage against Aadhira. Soaking in the expanse of sand stretched around them and the night sky blanketed over them, the hard lines of rage relaxed against her narrow face and her eyes were wide as they looked everywhere. As amazed as Aadhira might also be to see the sights of home so far away from it, he was hyperfocused on finding Priya. He would walk himself (and Aarushi by extension) into severe dehydration and starvation before he ever stopped – all until he found her.

Aadhira. Aadhira. You came.

Such a sweet voice. A song of which he’d only heard when last he’d spoken to her. Aadhira perked, his shoulders tense, eyes wide as he whipped his head, looking for her. And then there she was. He moved without thought – he pulled independently from his sister’s side, stepped from her body’s shadow, and moved toward Priya with a smile. “I’m sorry I ever left.” He breathed in gentle apology once he was near enough to her.

It was like a dream – so many dreams he’d had of her since their parting. So swept away in the ethereal quality, he reached forward, unabashed, and brushed his muzzle against her cheek, inhaling her scent. It clicked, then, remembering this was reality and his obsession of care with her could have faded in the time since they’d coupled. He pulled back and smiled shyly.

“Yah kya hai?” His sister’s sharp, bitter tone made him wince, but he turned his head and pulled his eyes toward her – she stood with her head high, eyes narrowed, studying Priya.

“Please, sister,” he said with a tired sigh – the wariness of their hours of travel were getting to him, “speak the common tongue.” He would not have Aarushi speak badly of Priya. He would not hear it.

“Priya, this is my sister, Aarushi.” His accent was strong as ever – rolling from his tongue, the name of his sister said as if it were a natural breath of air rather than forming the intricacies of the common language. “Aarushi, this is Priya.” His eyes met his sisters. “Ek dost.”

Aarushi’s brown eyes hardened, nearly black spare the gleam of white around the irises. “You are the reason my brother disobeys me.” Her voice was crisp. Short.

Aadhira’s curved ears turned back.