Gone Too Long

Disappointment was worse than anger, in all cases. Amalia felt like shrinking away from the prowess of the woman before her, cowering from the terrible mistake she had made. Her pale body lowered closer to the ground as she let out a low whine, trying to express just how sorry she had been. Clearly the girl had not been thinking, acting selfishly for the first time in her life. And now look what it had gotten herself into. She could almost feel Athena's disappointment weighing on her like a boulder -- it was quite hard for her to shoulder it. She never wanted to do anything that the woman would ever disprove of, she only wanted to be perfect in the goddess' eyes. Amalia dared to peek her cyan eyes up at the queen, a tiny smile pressed tightly on black lips. But then she spoke three words that almost sent her reeling. "I missed you..." Really and truly? The Soeverien would never lie, she was incapable of such darkness. Her little stub of a tail shook behind her, her rump moving right along with it. Raising back to almost her full height -- as lacking as it was -- she allowed herself to feel the joy that the silver woman's words brought her. She did not mutter out any more words though, for nothing she could ever say would mean as much as Athena's words had.

Her russet ears stood fully erect as she awaited the Soeverien to tell her all of what she had missed. Guilt flooded within her heart as the woman spoke, telling her of her new name for the pack and that Isardis had left. She had to suppress the smile that she felt at that comment, she had never really cared for that male. He was too flaky and did not place enough faith into Athena, he did not trust his own daughter enough. "You are a stronger and better leader than he ever was, Athena. Wolves follow you out of respect, not fear." She said softly, that smile growing on her lips. It was rather rare to see her without one, more so around the goddess. And then came the next part. Her ears fell back against her skull and her grin vanished without a trace. "Oh... married." Amalia whispered. Tears threatened to spill but she blinked furiously, she would not allow this mighty queen to see her cry. And not over this. She should be happy for her! But she felt... conflicted. She cared for Athena greatly, and always pictured herself by her side. But with Vereux as her husband -- well things would get a little messy from there. But this was Athena's choice, and she needed to respect it, no matter how much it tugged at her porcelain heart. "I am happy that you are happy." She said softly, smile once again stretched over thin lips. She nodded in agreement with missing a lot in a short matter of time, and she had not been here for her wedding. "Oh Athena, can you ever forgive me for missing so much?" She asked, cyan eyes pulling up to search Athena's red and green eyes. They held such beauty, such regality and maturity. The shimmer of youth was still ever present in her face, and such a masterpiece could never dull. Amalia would find herself lost so often in her gaze, but now Athena had a life of her own. A husband and children on the way... Where did she fit into all of this?

At the queens next words, a furious blush warmed her coloured cheek. It was her who brightened up Athena's day? "Oh no, sweetest Soeverien. It is you who brightens my day, who makes me gleeful in the depths of winter. I saw you in all my dreams when I was away, and it tortured me that I had wandered so far." Athena stepped forward and nuzzled her, almost making her whole body melt as she leaned into the touch, sucking in a deep breath at the graceful contact. Her head spun, and the Soeverien's perfume overwhelmed her for a few moments. She had been meaning to tell Athena that she was here to stay, but the touch had sent her off track. Blinking as the woman held her gaze, with cheeks blazing she was finally able to speak once more. "I could never dream of leaving you again. I am here to stay, indefinitely."