never leave me out

The woman curled tighter around her sleeping niece as the cold air from the river rushed over the pair of them as they lay beneath the stars. They had been travelling most of the day, and the pair of them only took a small break before they continued on. She sighed heavily into her niece’s fur, shielding her from the brunt of the wind. Soon she would wake the child and their paws would be put back to work before the sun peeked over the horizon.

The Klein name echoed through her mind as she contemplated the rebirth of the Empire. They would rule again, much sooner than she had thought after Hannibal had faltered in his challenge. She felt her lips pull back in a smile as thoughts of returning to status. Soon. Belle inhaled Ban’s scent, realizing not only was she doing this for herself, but it was for her niece also. As well as the offspring that might spring from her loins. Soon.

She sighed softly and closed her eyes once again, sleep threatening to take her again.