Their whole relationship consisted of her crying against him. When they first met, she was so upset about the mother, big sister, and little brother leaving her with father that she tried to run away. Father thought she would be okay (and he was too busy to deal with her emotions) so it was easy to get away from the Inlet. It was Zharko who found her and knew she shouldn’t be leaving home this way. He brought her back and in return he was rewarded with being the second stallion of the Inlet. Then her father dies and the tears come back. Since then Claymore has barely left the side of her mate, often crying into his shoulder just as she had when they met.

It would take time for her to grieve just as it had when she lost her mother and siblings. Her father was gone and slowly, all of her family was dwindling away. The thought made her more upset, but reality was much different. Her family was huge and she still had all of her half siblings from Warsaw. She still had so many cousins she hasn’t even met yet. Claymore had never once thought about what Zharko may be feeling right now. He had grown to known the grey Andalusian King and his position in the herd now hangs in the balance. Thankfully, Ironclad was agreed he could stay and keep his spot as sub-lead.

Today, Zharko was off being something for himself. It was not very often that they were away from each other, but after how many times she has broken out in a spontaneous cry she figured he needed this. Claymore was not made at him for needing some time away. Still, a part of her worries this was all too much for him. Her emotions could drive him away. A deep sigh passes through her lips as she lowers her skull to eat.

The sound of hoofbeats draws her head up quickly as her blue eyes search for what was coming towards her. She takes a sigh of relief when she sees it was Zharko thundering towards her. A smile spears over her grey lips, but it quickly fades as he stops in front of her. His face was…telling. His nose gently rubs her neck and she leans into his light touch. She wanted to ask what was wrong, she owed him that after all he has done for her, but the words never come. He breathes her name and her eyes close to bask in his voice. Her eyes then snap open when he says he had to tell her something. Claymore watches him closely with a flick of her dark tail. Her ears perk as he tells his tale of what he was worried about. Her heart instantly sunk when he mentioned this stallion might try to kill her.

Zharko presses his face against her with emotion just as she always does. Claymore breathes suddenly, realizing she had been holding it in. ”You’re scaring me Zharko." It was all she says, but it was enough to get her feelings across. She was very afraid of losing someone all the time, but this was the first time she was afraid of dying herself.