Tension radiated from every line in Solomon's lean body, from the tight bow of his neck to the deep ridges of muscle held coiled across his hindquarters. He paced as he waited, torn between wanting to invade Paradise to find those that he had lost to the interminable jungle, and the knowledge that he would be put at a further disadvantage if he did so. He remembered how claustrophobic and twisting the paths had been through the Shore, and could easily imagine how one might get ambushed or even lost in the verdant greenery.

As the sound of an approaching horse reached his dark-rimmed ears, Solomon turned toward it and braced himself, expecting to see Rougaru or even Monster. He hadn't caught scent of the familiar tobiano mare on the beach, but he had always assumed she would stay at the silver stallion's side. In truth, if it hadn't been for the fact that she seemed tremendously loyal to his main rival, Solomon might have put effort into pursuing her as a partner. Heaven knew he needed a queen that would remain at his side.

What greets his sharp emerald gaze is not Rougaru, however. Nor Monster. Nor even Feray. It is Vihar, at last, her face alight with a smile he had not expected to see.

Stunned, he didn't move as she raced toward him, only started with wide, shocked eyes as she eventually crashed into him. The impact saved him from his shock and he instinctively curled arond her, his neck slinging over the familiar arch of her withers to tug her closer. He hadn't noticed in those first few moments, but now that she was pressed up against him it was impossible to miss the heavy swell of her belly. A queer sort of panic rose up in him, borne out of both the fear that she had been taken advantage of (which had been somewhat offset by her demeanor) and the strange terror that came from realizing that his babies were having their own babies.

"Vi," he murmured as he tugged her closer, reluctant to let any space fit between them lest he lose her to the jungle again. "Coming for you," he answered, his voice strained with the weight of the various emotions crashing down around him. He hadn't forgotten Feray or Ayzirek in the slightest, but Vihar had stolen all of his attention for the moment. "Your mother and I were so worried." A faint hint of accusation crept into his voice that he was unable to squash, but he rolled quickly on, skimming his muzzle hastily across her neck before he pulled away to try and meet her gaze.

He needed to see her face for the next question, if only to soothe the worries that had kept him up at night. "Rougaru said you were here by choice, Vi." Unsure of what to think, Solomon tried to keep his voice neutral, although he couldn't help but glance at the treeline to make sure they weren't about to be interrupted. "Are you?" His voice grewy gritty as he echoed the promise he'd made to her mother, a furious sort of glint sparking in his eye. "If not, I will get you free,"

Solomon