Case of Cousins [Casso/Nolan/Baine]

Regulus went ahead, feeling a sense of gentle contentment filling his breast. He hadn’t been quite this… happy… since Solveiga and Aramis had disappeared. Which meant a very long time. The joy of bringing them back had been a fleeting summer day’s warmth and love… and then the deadly depression had taken Solveiga so very, very slowly.

But with Baine’s return, he felt a peace in his heart. Nothing would ever be the same as it had been when they were all young and he was teaching Baine little tricks, or showing Tornach how to hunt for the first time. But it was still a comfort that this sister, at least, was one he would be able to be beside, and say goodbye to, when her time came.

Those facts had been the only great comfort in losing their mother and father. He’d been able to lay beside them when they faded and took their last breaths. He didn’t get to have that with Zuriel, or Faite… And surely if Faite hadn’t returned by now, she was gone for good.

He passed down the ravine and into the main chamber of the Seat, padding to Baine’s alcove. Gently he called, “Baine? Casso’s here. He’s a little embarrassed. He got into a scrap with coyotes and was injured.”

He was more than far enough ahead of his daughter and nephew that he knew neither would hear him, and a smile of gentle amusement fell on his features. He'd had similar embarrassments as a younger wolf. The boar, for instance. That had been a terrifying experience for a lost pup who'd gotten it in his head to go on a big adventure. All the way to Auster. Though nothing beat his mother's fury once she got hold of him. Grounded for a season.