you'll come back

A shadow of the woman she once was, Deathbelle waded through the warm grasses. At the very least the world’s warmth had made her comfortable. The weather did not reflect her icy heart anymore and taking small trips out of Habari rejuvenated her as much as could be expected. The once Empress had had her happiness, many times over her lifetime, but she hadn’t been able to keep it. Despite her blessings and everything she was thankful for, life had become hollow and meaningless. Nothing was the same since Sirius abandoned her.

Having everything she had always wanted ripped out from under her changed her forever. She wanted so much to be done with this place, this life, but that feeling of guilt weighed hard on her. Seer commanded her to stay here and stay alive but how could she continue like this? There was no light at the end of the tunnel anymore, her offspring were all adults and making their own ways in life. Even Veigar was becoming the independent young wolf she knew he would be. No one needed her and it felt like she was becoming less of an asset and more of a hindrance.

Maybe that was why she was out here now, trying to prove that there was still some kind of use in her weary body. Those heavy thoughts lingered in her mind as she pawed lightly at a delicate plant in the grass. So concentrated on the plant and her own mind she was taken by surprise at the sound of her name. Once vibrant violet eyes lifted to find a hauntingly familiar form.

She’d seen Iolaire, somewhat recently, but she was different. She hadn’t been the woman she fell in love with. Now, her gold marked eyes held clarity that hadn’t been there before, and in them she saw pity for what Belle had become. The once Empress averted her gaze, shamed at the place she had fallen to. She hadn’t even seen the similar condition Iolaire found herself, not when her own failures consumed her. ”You shouldn’t have to see me like this.” She whispered, unable to bring her eyes back to Iolaire’s angelic features.