The bump that gently came from her elicited a deeper smile from Nephilim, along with a playful gasp that was him only pretending at being offended by her push. He might’ve forgotten himself and reached out to snag her mane with his teeth like he’d done to his siblings growing up when they played, but the touch would not have been familial at all. Even as he turned his cheek toward her with the intention, Vervain’s lashes fluttered as her eyes peered up at him and he forgot everything he’d just been ready to do. Nephilim’s gait even stuttered somewhat, and he had to overcompensate his next two steps, drawing his knees up high to his broad chest, to catch his gait.
His cheeks felt briefly warmed, but Vervain’s teasing voice was all he could focus on and not his own lack of grace, which meant he only laughed again, a soft and happy sound, then nodded agreeably to her words. “You’re right about that,” he replied, thinking of his dear cousin (though the way they bonded, they may as well have been brothers) and his penchant for being involved in a million things at once. Who knew where they would find Castillon at in the wide expanse of the Prairie, but Nephilim found he wouldn’t be bothered if it took some time.
After all, that would mean he had plenty of time to walk alongside Vervain, and he would never complain about that opportunity.
“I’ve come here a handful of times now,” he commented as they walked, looking out over the broad expanse of the open territory, “and this place truly never fails to amaze me.” He knew Vervain often had curious questions of the world beyond, but he wondered as his blue eyes glanced at her, “What’s your favorite season here?” Castillon had mentioned the beauty of spring, though Nephilim hadn’t seen it during that season for himself yet. He wondered if Vervain was also in love with springtime in her home as Castillon seemed to be, or if there was a different time of year she favored here.
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