did he go and leave you all alone?

Deathbelle woke up alone. The fire was burning again, evidence that Iolaire hadn’t left too long ago. The Empress had nearly raced after her, but she knew such an act would hurt worse in the long run. She sighed heavily and returned her head to her paws. Lilac gaze lingered on the flower left for her, and tears slipped from her eyes as she fell back asleep.

When day was really upon them, after Belle patrolled the territory and checked on her growing children, she couldn’t help herself as her dainty paws carried her into the Oasis. She didn’t admit to herself that she was seeking out Iolaire, but inwardly she knew that she was. That was when she was told the dark woman and Sirius were both on a hunting trip.

Infinite tasks awaited her, but the Empress felt a little lost the rest of the day. She forced herself to stay away from the cavern with a stream, and occupied herself with patrolling and a little hunting. Having not realized that she had avoided company all day she was keenly aware of her aloneness as she dropped her kill near the comunal pile. Their stores were only just beginning to grow again. Though she wasn’t worried about starvation anymore, there was much to concern herself over. No matter what distraction she put in front of herself Iolaire dominated her thoughts.

She wasn’t sure if she preferred the rough feelings of Iolaire or the deep sorrow of missing Archon. He was gone from her longer now than they had been married, but her heart still ached for him. Io had been a bandage ripped off too soon. Unsure of what she should do or how she should feel Deathbelle sought out a new place. She didn’t go to her marriage sigil and she avoided the cathedral cavern. She settled on a tall place overlooking the oasis, her ivory form reclined upon the redwater rocks as she looked out over the horizon. Ivory tail wrapped around her hips as she sighed heavily, feeling keenly the distance between herself and the ones she loved most.