shoulder to shoulder

There wasn’t much activity here as the day wound down, though she knew her children were out here training. Most of the time they took their own initiative to practice and train in the times when they weren’t occupied by their parents. Those facts made her thankful for the large pack and family around her. They helped to raise up her little ones like she was unable to on her own. It was truly taking the whole pack helping in the upbringing of their young princes and princesses.

Venom didn’t miss, despite how busy she was, Plague’s missing presence on occasion. Not any point where she might have been needing him, but she knew not all of his time was here in Ashen. She would never criticize him and his decisions, she trusted him completely. He knew his responsibilities and she could rely on him no matter how he spent his time. That trust showed through now as she found him, hearing his voice the Empress moved forward to meet him.

Plague invited him beside her and Venom did not hesitate to take her place at his side. She smiled and leaned into his shoulder and the two of them peered into the endless starry sky above them. When he spoke again she couldn’t help the surprised chuckle that left her lips. Venom knew or at the least could guess, her brother’s hesitancy in the religion they followed.

”I appreciate your presence, but no one will force you to do anything.” She told him honestly. ”You’re feeling conflicted about it all, aren’t you?” Venom went on to ask softly, she didn’t want to press him but she was here if he wanted to talk about it.