As much as I ever could

Love of mine, won't you lay by my side,

And rest your weary eyes,

Before we're out of time.

Give me one last kiss,

For soon, such distance,

Will stretch between our lips,

Now the day's losing light.

Two days.

Two days was all she had left before she was due to meeting Maverick, east of where she stood now. However, in the last week and a half, everything in her world had seemed to crumble and splinter before her very eyes. The girl knew she needed to maintain a strong, dignified, composure, and was succeeding rather nicely, but the turmoil that had begun to well inside was beginning to be too much to bear. No amount of pacing or moping in the privacy of her den had eased the pain that seemed to come from deep within her soul. Who knew she could hurt so deeply, in the very core of her being, anyway? Epiphron certainly had not expected this to be so hard. She had no time for crying, nor would she allow herself fits of anger -- no, she was not a child, and she let herself wouldn't act like one. Especially when she'd been given the opportunity of her lifetime. Had she not dreamed of ruling Valhalla one day? Part of her had always been sure she was capable of such a duty, but she'd convinced herself that her siblings, especially Chrysanthe and Syrinx, were much more likely to excel. If only she'd known, if only she had trusted her own abilities more..

Even when the volcano had erupted, destroying her home, her birthplace, she had not been afraid -- but the girl stood before the borders of Seracia, she was filled with uncertainty and hesitation unlike anything she'd ever experienced. Slowly the girl had tread far west until the scent of the pack reached her nostrils, strong like she'd ran into a wall of bricks. It was just as startling when the scent of Maverick reached her flared nostrils. A silent gasp would fall from her lips, her body freezing instantaneously. Fear grasped her suddenly, wracking her body, making her limbs quiver, a strange feeling for the serene female. She shouldn't be here -- no! She was within her rights, as an Alpha of a pack that was to be aligned with Seracia. No harm would befall her here. She wouldn't find herself in trouble for calling for Maverick, though she hoped so badly it was he that answered her pleading call, not the King or Queen. But even then, she had an excuse. No, not an excuse... it was her reality. If she was to rule Valhalla, and she would never refuse such an offer, she needed to make sure this alliance was one of permanence. That would work as reasoning if she ended up finding another creature -- she could claim she wanted to be sure the Prince was fit for her sister.

In reality, she knew she really ought to be doing just this, but she was unable to get Maverick out of hermind.. Perhaps seeing him again might bring her some kind of closure, but she knew herself better than that. She was sure he knew of the marriage to come in the near future, of the alliance that was being forged between the two kingdoms, perhaps even of her promotion. Her mind was clouded with confusion and worry as she lowered herself on her haunches. Muzzle lifted toward the sky, mouth forming a perfect circle as she summoned the boy to meet her here. Her call was strong but soft; only the slightest bit of emotion crept into her call. Maverick's reaction would be a surprise to her, but she knew she couldn't wait another day longer to see him, and surely not two.