After she left Sirius, Deathbelle continued running. The passion was too intense and she had to relieve the pressure somehow. Her ivory splashed form raced near silently through the wood, tears streaking her eyes as her heart felt like it would explode in her chest. Sirius really was her true love, and she was reminded painfully of that fact. Of the wolf he had chosen over her. The power she had to act on her desire, but having the strength to deny herself and him. As he left her side that strength failed her, and she’d almost called out after him. She wanted so badly to have Sirius close to her, but when she invited him in it was too easy to go too far. They could never have that satisfaction.

The Empress shut her eyes tightly as she ran for just a moment, overwhelmed with the pain. When she reached the ocean Deathbelle didn’t stop, her body crashed into the waves as she threw herself into the water. Salty tears mixed with salty ocean as she swam out into the depths. She felt the tiredness in her limbs as she hauled herself onto the beach of the island on the other side. It was quiet, like no soul had come here in a very long time. She could be alone with her sorrows.

The day would be breaking soon, but for now night still reigned. The woman carefully made her way through the forest, paws treading easily. She made her way to a dark pond. Lightning bugs played in the canopy and the stillness of the pond. Peace seemed to reign here. The Empress settled near the shore, settling her form in the soft grasses nearby. A heavy sigh left her lips as she struggled with her emotions alone. Belle pulled her alabaster tail around her shapely hips as she rested herself on extended arms. Long lashes fluttered as she blinked away the tears and her loneliness settled over her.

Lament Pyre He had awoken on this small strange island a week or so prior. He had spent the time since fishing, hunting, and building himself a small den that could shelter him from the weather. He knew very little of who he was, or where he had come from. Vague images, emotions, and inherit knowledge was all he had to recreate the wolf he had been. The steady quiet of the island had been uninterrupted. He had spent his evening meditating, and dancing through what forms of battle he could recall. He found in himself a measure of a peace, and acceptance for what he had lost. He did not realise the monotone, repetition of his days. Not until they changed, and the dark, lithe form of a Goddess entered them. He realised, in seeing her, that a part of him had thought he was fully alone in the world. The last wolf left. Her charcoal and snow tones easily seen against the grasses of the land. She was nestled in the land as through she had simply fallen, wings burnt, broken, a fallen angel. The sadness in her eyes was testimony to the overactive creation of his mind. He approached slowly, subtle gestures indicating his curiosity, his excitement at not being alone. At his worry for the sadness in her eyes. He crouched down beside the fallen beauty, and ember paw reaching out to touch against her own dainty black digits. As through to assure himself that she was real. Feeling solid, warm flesh beneath his grasp, he spoke. “My Lady, are you well?” "Speech"|"Ademic"

She made a mistake tonight. Maybe after being apart for so long they couldn’t handle the tension between them any longer. Or she couldn’t. sirius had been a perfect gentleman the entire time except for… One dainty paw reached up to touch where her lip was slightly swollen and had bled lightly. Fitting revenge for her dirty trick. She couldn’t leave him behind like she’d intended. Sirius was still held tightly against her heart and though the evening was cold she could almost feel his arms around her.

Deathbelle sighed heavily but before she could place her head on her paws in defeat her attention was drawn to the ghost that approached. His feet her bathed in flame just as high bright eyes. His fangs flashed in the twilight as he lowered himself beside her. Belle made no motion to move, finding herself more eager for the stranger’s company than she might have been on a normal night.

His voice was soft and soothing as was his touch, though it was not his she craved so desperately. She couldn’t help but think of their similarities though that this man was some kind of apparition sent to her by fate or the gods… she couldn’t know but he was warm and showed his concern readily. ”I’m not physically harmed.” She tilted her head away from him so he might not see the shame in the wound on her dark lips.

Lament Pyre The dark coated beauty spoke, her words both commanding, and soft. Like she was a wolf accustomed to being followed. That was hardly surprising, if she was an angel of battle. Fallen on his island, like a dream. A part of him still believed this to be a fantasy of his mind, despite the reassurance of her form with his soft touch. Despite his routines and efforts, he was lonely here. Missing people he did not remember. Why wouldn’t his mind create someone so beautiful and offer them forth to him? “Is your harm spiritual? Emotional? Who hurt you, angel of my dreams. Tell me, so I might rip them asunder, and heal your wounds.” a small smile flitted its way across his paws, though his face remained impassive. His smouldering eyes lingering on hers. He was a soldier, he remembered that much of himself. A man of war, and battle. Someone who fought the fights of others. Taking on the cause of an angel would not be unfathomable, not when she was right here, before him. Had he ever seen a wolf so beautiful in all his life? It seemed a tragedy that he may never know. "Speech"|"Ademic"

Deathbelle was ashamed of herself, of her actions. Not only because of the pain and grief her actions caused between the two of them but also Zee, who was an innocent to be hurt in their back and forth game. Of their eternal war between desire and loyalty. What was she going to do? Every body she held tightly to her was just a poor substitute to who she had always wanted her whole life. Sirius was like her other half, she wasn’t complete without him but to be with him was to betray.

She was so distraught she chuckled as the fiery man spoke so eloquently. The thought of his fangs clashing with Sirius made her feel fear for the concerned gentleman. He didn’t lose her lavender gaze though, he was serious and focused on whatever task she bid him do. To rip asunder the man who unwillingly held her heart.

”I’ve always wanted what I can not have.” she whispered to him cryptically. Her skin shivered lightly in the cold spring morning. ”This is no problem solved with revenge. It is a battle with my own weakness.” Her voice soft, longing as she tried to rip herself away from thoughts of Sirius and what she’d done. What she could have done.

Lament Pyre The Ademre was bold as he placed another paw over hers, very lightly tapping her dark toned digits beneath him. Her lavender gaze lingering on the molten ore of his own. She looked so desolate, so lost. He wished only to comfort her. Her chuckle caught him by surprise, the husky noise awakening something inside of him. “What do you desire?” he asked back, his voice as softly spoken as her own. What did she wish, that she could not have? “I see no weakness in you.” he was bold, bolstered by the belief that this was a dream and not reality. What else could he do, but offer the beautiful, exotic stranger in his dreams anything that she might desire. An angel fallen did not mean an angel weak. He had no doubt that she could claim this land, if she wished it to be hers. "Speech"|"Ademic"

He was sweet and passionate, almost naively but he was so endearing at the same time. He held so much concern for her, and the feeling of his paws wrapped around hers warmed her soul. The feeling of loneliness wasn’t quite so blinding. His voice was just as soft as hers but it had a strength that she did not feel like she possessed. Despite his words she knew she was weak for giving into her primal desire, for her need for Sirius.

”My true love.” She said with that same chuckle present. Had she not forced a laugh she would have cried. What a mess she’d created, and she still felt horrid. How could she even look at Seer again let alone Zee? ”You can’t see close enough.” she didn’t believe him, she hadn’t been able to hold herself together, to be the empress that she was. Instead she’d been reduced to a harlot. ”Even the hardest stones are worn away by the ocean.” And that was exactly what wore away at her, the ocean of love she held for her childhood friend

Lament Pyre “Among my people, love is freely given.” Both in the comfort of belonging, and the act of joining. What little he remembered of them, he knew this to be true. But, he could see that things were different where she was from. Her love for another must not be shared, and it was breaking her heart. He cupped a paw against her cheek, looking into the soft colors of her eyes. “Then don’t be the stone, be the ocean. Let nothing hold back your strength, and sweep away everything in your path.” he suggested. He gave her warning, in look, and the slowness of the act. If she wished to pull away from him, she could do so with ease. But if she did not, then he would share with her some of his fire, some of the love that lay free in his heart. He leaned closer, seeking to kiss gently the dark lips that had looked up at him, so lonely, so lost. "Speech"|"Ademic"

He couldn’t fix her problems that remained in Ashen’s borders, but he could help to soothe the ache of her heart. Gently he placed a fire bound paw upon her cheek and took command of her attention. His gaze was liquid silver, but also a portal into his soul and for a moment Deathbelle lingered there mesmerized by those silver eyes. He encouraged her to be the ocean instead of the stone that she had always believed herself to be.

She wasn’t sure what to expect after his words as his bright eyes shifted and he moved towards her with slow practiced movements. She really could have moved away, maybe should have, but he held her captivated. Belle’s eyes slid shut as his lips brushed against hers with a soft touch. Deathbelle could feel the press of his saber like teeth against her as her chest seemed to ignite once again.

The passion Sirius created had not died down and her body instantly felt alight with all of the emotions that she’d wanted to press down. Tears welled up in her eyes even as she kissed the fire marked wraith back. He gave his love freely and Deathbelle would return it with her own. Though she feared pushing too far, the Empress reached out that he might take hold of her.

Lament Pyre The lavender gaze of the stranger locked onto him, and he could see much expressed in the pool of her gaze. As naked emotion flickered across her expression, it struck him as strange and intimate. As though she was letting him in on a secret. He marvelled at the softness of her features, the unabashed beauty of her. He did not know who she was, or why she was here, but he would marvel at every moment that he borrowed in her company. As his lips touched hers, his eyes slid closed, so he could feel instead of see. The heat of her breath tingling across his muzzle. The taste of her mouth on his. The flick of his tongue as it lingered, sought, explored. She did not oppose the sudden intimacy, and he drew closer to her. Letting his body warm hers as he pressed himself against her side. He drew his muzzle down the length of her mouth, across her cheek. Lingering on one dark ear, and then gripping gently into her scruff. “Do you want this?” he whispered softly. Not one to take from an angel what was not offered. "Speech"|"Ademic"

The Klein she wolf didn’t know what came over her this night, a culmination of bottled emotions that would have eventually overflowed? She shouldn’t have submitted to her desires then, but there didn’t seem to be any harm in doing so now. Lament was a mystery to her, he was dark and unexpected. Belle didn’t know how much she needed him until he’d appeared beside her. He was attentive to her, and she could feel as though she owned his attention. Like there wasn’t another wolf in the world that he would rather be holding tightly to.

The whole world was forgotten as he kissed her, Deathbelle couldn’t feel the sadness or the guilt. Excitement erupted within her as he pressed himself close to her in a silent promise, his love freely given. She hissed lightly as he shifted to her ear and grabbed hold of her much more suggestively as he softly phrased his question. ”Yes.” She whispered back, her voice whining softly as her heart threatened to beat through her chest. The wounds were forgotten with Lament’s tender kisses and warm embrace.

”Tell me your name.” She asked as her pearly teeth nibbled at his jaw in anticipation. The sweet grin playing at the corners of her lips appeared naturally as she shed the weight of her burdens for their night.

Lament Pyre Her excitement fed his own, the unknown standing before him like a dare. He had no reservations about taking the plunge, of giving a part of himself to this stranger. His breath rasped softly past his throat, and he tightened his grip against her coat, pulling himself over her. Laughing, when he realised he was shorter than the luxurious woman lying before her. His grin was freeing, intimate. A gift he did not often give. “Lament” he whispered, the sound of his name, spoken aloud seemed almost foreign to him. He remembered little, but he remembered this. He did not know the entirety of what he had lost. But, for just this moment, his pain was forgotten. He was not a wolf, lost to the world, he was Lament, in the arms of Deathbelle. “Who are you, that you have captivated me so easily?” he whispered “You, with your coat of coal and delicate wash of snow. Eyes like purple flames. I see the subtle strength in your paws.” he continued, brushing a paw every so lightly across her limb as he brought attention to it. His touch was too light to do more than tickle the furs. “I see how you carry your heart in your eyes. I would burn worlds for you, my love.” the wash of emotion she brought out in him was uncontrollable. He did not know if he would still feel this way in the ‘morrow but in this moment, he spoke nothing but truth. From the pits of his heart. "Speech"|"Ademic"

Deathbelle normally held her reservations, she wasn’t one to easily take to someone’s bed, they had to be special. Or maybe she fell easier when her heart was broken. Letting Lament close was easy, and she encouraged his embrace as his deep laugh brightened her smile. Deathbelle couldn’t keep her eyes off him. She pressed against him as he held her closer, ridding them of the last bits of distance between them.

He gave his name, though she wasn’t sure how natural it fell from his lips it graced her ears all the same. Belle grinned lightly, soon captivated again as he spoke sweet words. He flattered her, and the Empress felt her cheeks flush for the first time since she couldn’t remember. Lament’s voice was but a breath at her ear and she felt her skin shiver as he brushed her delicate paws. They had just met, but there was a fire in his eyes that matched her own and passion was easily built between the pair. She could feel the truth he offered in his words and she found she wanted to give her heart in return.

”Lament,” Belle returned his name softly. ”You honor me with your words,” but tomorrow she’d feel the opposite. She’d have to face what she had done. ”You hold in your arms, the Empress Deathbelle Klein.” The she wolf admitted softly, holding more tightly to him. ”Burn for me, be my fire, Lament.” She begged him quietly, finding his gaze and seeking to press her lips to his once more. Belle would forget everything but the fire marked man.

Lament Pyre An Empress? It seemed almost unbelievable, that one that ranked so high would find her way to his island, would fall into his arms. Maybe this truly was a dream, some strange creation of his mind. Perhaps it was reality, and the illusion was her own. Or, perhaps, just maybe, she truly was an Empress. Regardless of what was truth, he kissed the paw he had gently touched. “Then I am truly honoured, my Imperial Majesty.” her grip tightened on him, and let loose a soft gasp, surprise and pleasure and warmth at her touch. “You are the coal to my flames, we burn together.” he promised, and needed no further enticing. Mounting her fully, he sought to claim her, if only for a moment. If only for a night. His head he held gently near her ear, so he might whisper sweet words to full her heart as the passion overtook them both. - fade - "Speech"|"Ademic"

She wondered for a moment if he believed her, maybe he did, maybe he didn’t. In the end it didn’t matter. They were two strangers that found each other at the right moment and Deathbelle embraced the spontaneity of their encounter. He played along, even if she hadn’t quite convinced him and Belle grinned in response. Lament returned her words, vowing to be her fire as long as she remained the coals. Together. Deathbelle felt for a moment that the night might be too short, but the yearning for the present kept her fixated.

She arched her back as she felt the warmth of his stomach against her spine. He set her skin on fire as he had promised and flames brewed between them. Ivory tail wrapped tighter to her hip as he pressed against her and Deathbelle gave herself to him fully. She would easily get lost in the bliss of him and the gentle whisper of love at her ear. Lament brought ecstasy where frustration had made its home. She wanted nothing but him.
-fade-

Lament Pyre He woke to the soft sound of ocean birds cawing their travels. It was early yet, with dawn having scarcely broken. There was as much shadow as there was light on their little island. At least the weather had held, and their outdoor sleeping arrangements had remained cozy. He gently detached himself from the woman in his arms, kissing her cheek as he pulled free. Finding warmth in her skin, heat infused him, and he fleetingly wondered if she would be up for another round. Before he dismissed the thought with a soft chuckle. Face falling still and passive, he looked up to the rising sun, and felt a soft pang of loss. He did not know what for, but he knew that things were missing in his life. Dismissing this, also, he let his body fall into the rhythms that he did remember. Limbering up his body as he moved through the motions of quiet battle. Stretching until he’d loosened his muscles, and the limber warrior felt the freedom of being alive. "Speech"|"Ademic"

Day was when she normally slept, but they’d fallen asleep in each others arms earlier in the night. Deathbelle awoke feeling content, like her heart hadn’t broken again like it had so many times before. She couldn’t help the feeling that Lament would be another temporary bandaid. A quick fix to her brokeness. Already she felt the dread of her return to Ashen. How could she look at Sirius the same again? She harbored so much shame for being unable to hold herself back. Lament stirred lightly and jostled her thoughts as she was reminded of how much she was able to forget the night before. Lament had taken her places where her burdens didn’t matter and she could be whole again.

She groaned lightly as he let her go and she settled sleepily into the crushed grass. Violet eyes fluttered as Lament stood a little ways off and seemed to greet the sun. The corners of her lips pulled back as flashbacks of the night previous overlayed a few of his poses. Head on her paws she watched him with half lidded gaze, her long lashes fluttering as she blinked and immersed herself in the moment.

”What a view.” She murmured with a smirk as she rolled slightly, revealing the soft fur of her belly and inviting his return silently. He’d only promised a night, but already she craved longer. He was an addictive drug that only took one hit.

Lament Pyre He paused in his stretches, and looked back to the Empress as she admired his backside. He laughed softly, shaking out his limbs to finish the exercise. He hadn’t spent as long on his stretches as he usually did, but he knew an invitation when he saw one. “Personally, I like the view better here” he teased, brushing a paw down her forehead and noise, before leaning forward to kss the little black twitcher. At her behest, he curled up into her again. The warmth of her belly was certainly inviting, and he stretched out against her, languid and content. “So, not a dream then?” he mused, half teasing half truth. The light of day did not dispel her for an illusion. She was as solid and real now as she had been in his arms in the night. “So, why is and Empress here, on this little island?” he asked. Remembering the sadness that had been in her before he had arrived. What had driven her to this place? "Speech"|"Ademic"

Unfortunately for her Lament was easily distracted by her words and he shifted, a grin on his features as he padded closer and teased her amusedly. She smiled softly, her lavender eyes sparkling with mirth as his paw trailed down her nose and he freely offered a kiss. Her invitation did not go unnoticed and his dark form was swiftly returned to her side. Deathbelle felt calmer, peaceful, and loved in that moment as he lay close. She returned his kiss and nuzzled his cheek as his words surprised her.

He’d thought her a dream? Maybe things would be easier if she was, but no. Deathbelle was living and breathing and had much responsibilities to answer to. She’d have to send Thistle back to Ashen with a message for Venom.. ”I’m not a dream?” She feigned hurt, though she tried not to think of what she’d run from. Lament asked her innocently why she’d wound up on this island.

Mismatched ears fell as she averted his gaze from his liquid silver eyes. ”Foolishness.” She admitted darkly, curling into him unconsciously. ”I made a mistake and I ran from it.” Deathbelle admitted sheepishly. ”I don’t know what to expect when I get home.” She felt the guilt and hurt all over again as she pressed her features into his neck and held onto him tightly. ”I’m not ready to go back.” She pulled back slightly to catch his eye. ”Will you stay with me here?” Belle asked softly, feeling the desperation in her heart. She had to make Sirius a long forgotten memory before she faced the Empire again.

Lament Pyre The Ademre laughed softly at her words, giving her ear a swift nip in retaliation, but gentle and teasing. "If you are a dream, pretty lady, I'm happy not waking" he promised her. At his question on what brought her here. Hurt seemed to return to her. Lament was a stout believer that a wound needed to be cleaned and set to heal right, and matters of the heart equally should not be left to fester. He did not regret his question, through he offered her shoulder in silent support as she seemed to work through what to say. He did not know what mistake she had committed, but it was an easy to guess to assume it was a matter of her heart. She had mentioned true love the night before. Perhaps she needed a little time and breather to face her problem anew. "You are welcome with me, through I fear my offerings are humble to an Empress. If it pleases you, we can travel a little and explore places you might not have had a chance to visit?" He suggested. He had been doing a little hiding himself. Remaining on this island away from memories he no longer possessed. With Deathbelle at his side, he knew he would have the courage to face the world. If she was not yet willing to leave him, then he would steal what time he could. "Speech"|"Ademic"