A new beginning

Soon, the two of them had dug far enough for them to sleep comfortably -- to that they really needed much room, anyway. The last thing that Epiphron wanted was personal space tonight. Perhaps it would be nice in the future to expand, so their shelter was more permanent, but for now she couldn't imagine anything but sleeping with her limbs tangled with Maverick's.

Luckily the ground was brittle, rather than frozen solid. Luckily for them both, otherwise they would've certainly needed some more help, and a whole lot more time than just a half hour. It could've gone on longer, as far as she was concerned ... she was willing to put in any amount of effort, so long as it pleased her future husband, so long as they remained content and healthy and forever enamored with one another.

"And I am just as eager to meet them," she assured him with a smile, but it was obvious that she was fairly nervous. But who wouldn't be? Back in the territory of Valhalla, while she hadn't felt exactly ready to be an Alphess, she had taken charge and done as she felt was right. But here, what was she allowed to do? She grew worried for a moment as she considered this, but no, Maverick would be at her side the entire time. She wouldn't be forced to make decisions on her own. It made more sense, anyway, to rule by his side, for the two of them to make decisions as a pair. How else would Seracians grow to trust her?

"I think this will work for tonight. Should we get cleaned up and then call it a night?" What a splendid idea. Epiphron backed up out of the den, much more filthy than she had expected to get today. Her white fur was caked with dirt, most of it clinging to her paws and chest. It didn't help that the soil was damp, soaked from snow and frost, making it much easier to stick to her pelt. Despite this, she beamed at her betrothed, tail whipping behind her happily. "That is, perhaps, the best idea you've ever had," she teased him, leaning over to nip tenderly at his shoulder. It was still vaguely thrilling to be openly affectionate with him -- she remembered feeling like they were not really supposed to be together -- but she knew that feeling would not last forever. Hopefully it would be replaced by something equally as satisfactory; and she did not doubt that it would.

She took a step away from him, knowing he would need to lead the way. The sun would set soon, and she hoped they could return before darkness fully set in.