What was in the past, to start over. Was there really a chance for him to start over, while the scars shined on his face and blood poured from his eyes. As he looked upon his Imprint he saw her in the past, shivering in fear under the intense gaze of Blackthorne. Zharko had yearned to protect her, just as he had tried to protect Whisper, his sister, and a small rabbit Thorne had found and tortured. Years ago he had been chosen by the Darkbringer because he had not submitted. He had not submitted to his father, and he had not submitted to Thorne. For his life, Zharko had not submitted to cruelty, instead he seemed to still be controlled by it.
Thorne had ordered him to continue to torture the innocent lives placed in his ‘care’. He would protect them by lessening the blow, by sneaking them extra field mice. Instead of six lashes, he would inflict five and endure the sixth himself. Still, he had been named Commander, the most trusted right hand of the dark. Was he any better than the bastard who commanded him?
Wren’s soft tongue pressed against his face. His body and mind had to fight the desire to shiver under that touch. There had been none who had touched him with such tenderness. Had he not already given her his soul, he may have in that moment. With each pass of her gentle caress he could feel himself give in to her. He had lost his purpose with his sister, lost his spirit with his king. He was finding both in the soft paws of Wren. He knew he would succeed where in the past he had failed. With her, he would truly work to wipe away the past, hold on to who he knew he could be…. To who she thought he could be.
His eyes opened at her words, and softened with a smile that could not meet his lips. He tilted his head and looked around the crags. They had been a home and shelter to him for seasons of his life. He had traveled the freelands by necessity and command. He was at home roaming, satisfying the itch in his paws, a need to be alone and to know of what is around him. After pressing his nose to her cheek, he got to his paws with a gentle wag of his tail. You will be. he assured her in his soft voice. Taking another step, the corner of his lips twitched in the very first steps toward a smile. Where would you like to go, My Soul? I will take you anywhere.