One. Two. Three. Four. Five… As Sephiran walked through the labyrinth of Sidi dens, he was completing a count of their prisoners, double-checking Azoula’s work, and paying their servants a pleasant visit. Five. Five. Five. Everyone was in place, from the wild-dog to the feisty beauty Azrael brought with him. Five. Five. Five. All, except for one. Six? Six? Six? Nila, a Sidi woman Kaino had brought from Saffron, was nowhere to be found. Her appointed den was empty, and her scent was stale, having been masked by the cool, damp air of the caves. Even Azoula couldn't remember the last time she'd seen Nila, claiming she was with Kaino most days. Of course, Sephiran did not accept this answer- punishment was delivered to the tigress, and he set out on a mission.

Emerging from the subterranean, Sephiran started to scour the surrounding area, tearing across the territory with restless, frenzied energy. She may not have been his Sidi, but Nila was a captive of The Syndicate, a slave that belonged to his cousin and thus, himself. And he did not enjoy losing his kingdoms toys.

"Speech"

Code by Sea

Kaino was livid. It had been days since she'd last seen Nila. It wasn't uncommon these days for the Sidi woman to take her own time. Especially now that Rogue was in the picture. However, Kai never would have imagined that Nila, who had been with her from birth, would pack up and leave in the middle of the night. She fled, tail between her legs like a fucking coward. Did she think that Kaino would have forced her to stay in the den and watch her fuck Rogue? Did she think that Kai would have forced her to fuck Rogue as well? After all they'd been through... after all of the trials and hardships that they'd seen one another through... the bitch ran away. Having grown up in the Saxe family, Nila knew what the punishment would be.

Having needed definitive proof, Kaino followed the scent trail of her former lover out of Syndicate territory and south towards Auster. It took her some time, but she only stopped following the trail when it led her to the borders of The Hallows. Steel in her heart and anger burning through her veins, the lavender fae turned and stalked back to the Sound.

As Kaino was reentering the pack lands, she caught sight of Sephiran stalking about with an equally annoyed expression on his features. She didn't want to talk to him, or anyone for that matter, but it needed to be done. The bob-tailed fae stepped into his path, mint and ice eyes meeting his own gaze. It would be evident that she was in a sour mood. The woman's lip curled, nose crinkling in distaste as she spoke. "Nila fled to The Hallows," she spoke with a low growl. "I tracked her to their border."

"Kaino"

The sound of footfall caught Sephiran’s attention, his gaze rising to settle on Kaino’s silhouette- a welcoming sight initially, but that quickly changed. His first thought was to question her about Nila, because she belonged to Kiano- but as their eyes met and they shared an equal look of anger and disappointment, Sephiran knew something was off.

Nila fled to The Hallows. The mention of their enemy brought on a visceral reaction of pure, unchecked rage, as he bristled his pelt and dug his claws into the earth. I tracked her to their border. His lips pulled into a sneer, a surge of animosity and hostility blazing through every fiber of his being. It was bad enough that she slipped through their fingertips, but to go as far as conspiring with their enemy, knowing what the punishment would be. Sephiran could not wrap his fragmented mind around it. “Why?” He seethed, demanding an explanation. What had pushed the girl into the arms of their enemy?

"Speech"

Code by Sea

Her own anger was mirrored as she informed Seph of Nila's abandonment. He asked why and the Emira growled again. "She forgot her station and became jealous that I took a mate to further our line, I assume." Nila had grown distant since bringing Rogue home, but she hadn't said anything expressing her displeasure.

Yes, Kaino had loved her Sidi, but she was a Saxe, despite her kindness. "I want her head. I want her fucking skin for my bed." The fae's lavender and smoke pelt bristled, teeth flashing. Yes, she felt betrayed, but anger ate up all of her other emotions. How fucking dare she?

"Kaino"