Think of brighter days ahead

Ulric's smile faded a bit as he watched Eska begin to pace again, muttering about twisted things as she moved back and forth along the length of the cell. He kept a hint of a calm smile on his face as he leaned the side of his head against one of the bars while he watched her, but it was so difficult. He wanted nothing more than to go in the cell and pull her out, wipe away the glowing mess from her face for her, and hold her until all of this passed—even if it meant getting himself sick in the process—but he knew she'd never let him. Just like her mother before her she had locked herself away to keep herself from hurting anyone else and while he admired the self sacrifice he also despised it. He was half tempted to ignore her wishes and at the very least join her in the cell, but he didn't, at least not yet. If this drug on for much longer he might say fuck it to it all and go down with his mate. She gave him the happiness he had been striving for for years and he couldn't let that slip away from him so soon. "Eska..." he said quietly as she began to pace toward him again, hoping to catch her eye for even a moment while he remained there beside her no matter how difficult it was.

"Ulric"