Rougaru told himself he should not care for her, that she should be nothing more than a trophy that he won and tossed away. He knew when she came to Paradise that first day with her two young twins in tow that she would not be there forever. He knew at the first opportunity she would return to her pale lover and the island of snow and ice. He had been prepared then, prepared to let her return and no doubt would not have given her a second thought.

But as the days passed, and countless conversations transpired he began to realize that without even trying, she had gotten beyond the beast... she had come to know the true him. Father had always told him they would run, that they would flee at the first opportunity... at the first signs of weakness... but she had not. She saw him and accepted him.

He told himself he would not care when she went back to Liland, told himself that he would forget her and the child they would create should she chose to keep it in the Bay with her. And yet night after night it was her face that haunted his dreams and with that came a worry for her fate.

The wolf was uncomfortable here, its yellow eyes flitting to the dark trees searching for the pale stallion that lurked here. White teeth flash as gray fur bristles but Rougaru ignores it, instead it is his emerald green gaze that follows the shadows, trying as he might to make out her small build from the shadowy trees that guarded the landscape. Ears stand at attention as her call rings out, her voice sending his stone heart leaping within his lungs at the sudden nervousness at seeing her again. Would she be glad to see him? She sounded like she might but did she really or was she being polite? Did she think of him? Had Liland treated her well? The foals? So many questions taunted his thoughts now as restlessness danced his thick hooves beneath his muscular frame.

She appears. A flutter of movement. A shower of loosened rock and soil as she tumbles down the hillock causing him to start forward. Concern fills his multifaceted gaze but he cloaks it quickly behind a mask of warmth and affection as she comes to a halt before him. She was quick to remind him that she hated it when he treated her like porcelain. "Zjeena..." he murmurs, her name a purr upon his lips as she halts before him. Subconsciously he takes a step towards her, wanting to feel the warm of her skin against his own, to know she was not some manifestation of his imagination or some trick of the wisps. Even in her disheveled entrance she is still a sight to behold. Powerful, regal and yet her gaze... her gaze mirrors his own in the longing that built there.

She moves forward now, breaking the spell that the silence of the Bay built up around them. She tucks her head neatly against the curve of his neck, the place where so perfectly she seemed to fit. A contented rumble echoes in his lungs now as he bends into her, savoring the contact of their skin and relishing in the knowledge that even without words she had spoken what he had been afraid to know. That connection he felt. It was real.

For a moment he holds her close, feels the rapid beating of her heart against his breast, savors the steady rhythm of her breathing and comforts himself in knowing she is safe. For a moment he lets the silence build between them, unspoken words ring through the connection of their skin and the pulse that runs through their veins. For a moment, there is nothing else that exists save her... but even that could not last.

The sharp cry of a gull breaks the silence and not wanting to cause any more heartache or pain Rougaru forces himself to clear his throat and take a step back, to let his brilliant green eyes find her own. A small smile plays upon his whiskered lips as tentatively he stretched his muzzle forward to brush aside her unruly locks. "I have missed you." he breathes, forcing himself to keep his breathing even and slow. Affectionately he lips as her cheek, inhaling deep her sweet perfume as though he could store it away forever. He wanted to tell her he loved her. Wanted to tell her that apart of his heart belonged to her and that he needed her just as he needed his painted viper. He wanted to take her away from here, to bring her back to Paradise and continue those evening walks and the deep conversations. But he would not. This was what she wanted and where others might see him selfish, with her, he would be selfless.

A single brow arches as a mischevious grin spreads across his lips, proud head cocks to the side as he attempts to lighten the mood in as much as he could. At least she was safe. "Got them all back in tow yet? Not my cup of tea but Tinuvel suits you... but Paradise did too in case you forgot." he teases nudging her cheek again, his touch lingering for a moment longer. "I know you can handle yourself but allow me the decency to at least assure myself that you are safe. I thought it better to let you an the twins return unaccompanied back then but... well dreams can be fickle things." he adds with a light chuckle, gaze softening as his eyes meet hers. "I could not bare it if something did happen to you." the words hang between them. As close to adoration as would fall from his lips but the truth nonetheless.