It burned. Her skin was on fire, sensitive to the new sense of life that flowed through her veins. Her crown was lifted high, her tail curled easily about her hips. Her eye blazed, looking like verdant flames. She had seen Maija to the border, escorting her to the edge of the forest, before seeing the woman set off to return to her home. She had taken some time to groom her pelt, working until she looked like fire. Old wounds had left behind only scars, marks of her knowledge and experience. New wounds were steadily healing, screaming to the world that she was a fighter, a dangerous opponent. Her missing eye was no longer a disability, but merely another trophy that spoke her tales. Power radiated from her, it oozed from her pours relentlessly. The forest was quiet around her, seeming to know the change that had taken place within the newly reborn Queen. Her crown would tip back, a melody flowing from her lips. Her voice boomed across the forest, resounding with renewed life. Birds took flight, smaller creatures scurried away from her. When her call came to an end, she remained standing, still as a statue. She wished for her mates presence. The very presence he had dared to deny her in her time of need. But no longer. She stood waiting, a strange patience surrounding her. She didn't try to listen for his approach, she didn't wait anxiously. No, she remained calm and collected, allowing him to take his time if he wished. But sooner or later, he would have to come. "Burn Baby Burn"

The call of Sibelle would sound out against the forest of the Weeping Woods, it sounded strong and fierce, everything he had once labelled Sibelle to be. His broken toe, gained in his fight to return Sibelle to freedom was mostly healed these days so his stride was unbroken as he turned his gait into a trot and brought himself to the presence of his queen. It was true that he had not been with her as often as he had in the days before her kidnapping, but even this gesture was made out of love. She hadn't seemed fully herself and he gave her distance and time, thinking that anything else would only be to overwhelm of crowd her, and truly did want nothing more then for her to get better again. A part of him kept his distance however, out of hopelessness, and hurt, she constantly left him, as through he and Solstice where not enough for her. It still hurt him that she had abandoned their pups that night she had gone off to get kidnapped by the one pack that meant her the most harm. He had done everything in his power to free her, and yet.. a part of him blamed both her and himself for the situation it had put her in, he had begun to think himself inadequate for the fiery beast who needed her freedom, who needed constantly to leave Solstice territory even when each such exit returned her to him a little more damaged. He stopped before her form, nodding his head to the beauty to held his equal power within the pack. ?Sibelle? he murmured softly, leaving out any other such endearments when, these days, he wasn't certain where he stood with her. "Speech"

She didn't wait long, much to her surprise. His monochromatic shadow would appear before her, her name falling softly from his lips. A hole had opened up between them, driving them both apart, in separate directions. But it never should have been that way. He never should have allowed it, or rather, caused it. Fury flared up like a flame licking at her paws, creeping across her entire body. Her emerald gaze would clash with his own, pinning him with a stare that held so many unspoken words. He had not approached her, he had kept a distance between them, not bothering to approach her or greet her. It only added fuel to her fire, a fire that was on the verge of burning this entire forest to the ground. She remained silent, simply staring at him, allowing her words to form coherent thoughts rather than being an angry jumble that made no sense. "Tell me. Do you resent me?" Words came out even, dripping like honey from her scarred lips. She dared him to lie to her. "And don't you dare lie to me." Quiet words were a warning. Emotions had her heart beating a little faster, blood pounding in her ears as she stared at him. Maija's words echoed in her skull, steeling her nerves and her resolve. "Do you think I intentionally allowed myself to be kidnapped?" Words were dangerously soft, not at all hinting to the anger and hurt that brewed just below the surface. Her gaze never left his, not wanting to as she searched his face for the answers she already had suspicions about. "Burn Baby Burn"

He could see the anger that burned beneath her eyes, bringing a life to here that almost excited the boy, if he wasn't weary on what that anger represented. He would know soon enough as her question slipped like acid from her lips, and a look of shock out pass his own features, he would step closer to her, unable to hold himself back, but brought himself to a stop before he touched the fire, afraid that he might ignite it further. ?Never, Sibelle, you would have to kill me yourself before I could ever resent you? he hissed, his voice husky and his own eyes taking up the blaze, a reflection of the flame before him, and a defiance and her order over lies, he was not lying to her. It would be at her next question however that he haltered, he found his eyes sliding downwards but steeled himself, forcing himself to meet her gaze. ?Not exactly, but.. yes? he said, keeping true, he would not lie to her, and she looked strong, fiery, she looked herself. He had not wanted to bring up this concern earlier when he had seen her as fragile. ?I believe you abandoned our children in our den when they needed you and left the territory for reasons I do not know? his voice turned into a whisper here ?But I can only guess? his voice would rise again to utter ?and what you found was trouble, and when I went to rescue you I knew I could be turning out children into orphans, but even that thought couldn't deter me from saving you, not when you are my life, Sibelle, I just don't know.. who you are any more. his voice a whisper once more. He had wanted to speak of this to her for so long now, never knowing how to bring it up, but at last, there was no turning away from how he felt in his heart this time. "Speech"

He would look shocked, his own anger flaring up at her words. He would step towards her, but stopped, still keeping space between them. His angry words did nothing to soothe her, for his next words were like a slap the face. His gaze would drop, his voice doing to the same. She would rock back, her eye narrowing to a dangerous slit. Part of her had hoped that she would be wrong, but she wasn't. She had been right. The more he spoke, the angrier she got. He accused her abandoning her children, leaving them entirely defenseless. Her lips would peel back to reveal daggers, ears pulling back against her crown. Her hackles would bristle as words continued to spill from his lips. His final words would drop the guillotine. He had no idea who she was anymore. She would take a step forward so the tips of their pelt touched. She used her larger height to her advantage, her nose dipping down as she glared him. She was so angry she was at loss for words. A low growl left her throat before she finally able to form a though. "I have never abandoned my children, and don't you dare ever accuse me of doing do." Her clicked shut angrily, rage pouring off her. He didn't know her anymore. All this because she had gone out for a walk, and just so happened to run into someone who hated her. All this because she had been bested by another. His words had cut deep, opening a new wound that gushed raw emotion. "Stay away from me." Words were toxic, angry dissipating into hurt. "Burn Baby Burn"

His words did nothing to soothe the rift between them, if anything it tore it wide apart. She stepped closer to him, attempting to tower over him but he did not back down nor cower in sight of her wrath. His heart was twisting in his chest, twisting and bleeding as he glared down at her, holding his own. He was sick and tired of always saying the wrong thing, of trying his best and always falling short. He had lived the last few days in loneliness and sick with worry for her, all the while she had been harbouring a grudge against him, and for what? For rescuing her? For giving her space when he had seemed a strange to her eyes? He remembered the night she had vanished, curling up with their children and comforting them, promising them their mother would be home soon. Yet, when she had returned she barely recognised them, how was he suppose to deal with that??



she spoke again, telling him she had not abandoned their children, growling in his face and he growled right back. His hackles raised as he thought of their children, he loved them to bits, and they had been close by to her the entire time, he had given her space but waited for her to join them, the choice had always been hers! Each night, the children slept without her, and without understanding. how dare she accuse him now! ?Then what the hell where you doing Sibelle!? he yelled back. ?You could have called for me! You could have asked for me to watch them, instead you choose to leave them, our tiny children in the den well you sneaked out of the territory, what do you call that then? If you needed to breathe I would have let you, if you had called for me!? he cried, and there it was, the whole and full source of the pain and abandonment he felt all sourced on that one thing, she had not called for him. ?I haven't been staying away from you Sibelle, this whole time, i've been waiting for you, but if that's what you want, then fine? his voice cracked, and he was shaking now. He had done everything for her, she was his life and he would give her the world, but this.. this was unbearable. He locked his legs into to place when otherwise they might have collapsed. He didn't blame her for needing air, he didn't blame her for running into someone she hated, hell, he gone and fought for her, brought her back at the cost of his own blood, was that the action of one who blamed her for that? no. he blamed her for leaving in secret, for abandoning their pups.

His whispers were gone. Replaced instead by yelling. She didn't move, didn't flinch. It suddenly became clear why he was so upset. He had wanted her to call him, to ask to be relieved so that she could be alone. Everything was so wrong, so very wrong. But her resolve didn't shake. He blamed her, and that was enough to crush her. Slowly her hackles would drop, her lips relaxing against her gums. She was tired. She would step away from, ripping open a bigger wedge. She would turn away from him, her anger dissipating into hurt. A sigh left her lips. "The kids and I will be staying with my brother west." She was not going to argue with him. She had made up her mind and nothing would change it. She moved away from him, her steps taking her directly to the den where her children resided. She would not be stopped. Movements where mechanical, she didn't fully process each step she took, or how her paws pressed into earth that she had considered home. It was time for a change. Change was happening, and it was doing so at the expense of her heart. She would need to find Taurig, round up her children and then go seek out her brother. Audits remained tipped back against her skull. She expected him to argue, it would be a surprise if he didn't. But it didn't matter, they would stay with her, no matter what she had to do to keep them. -exit unless stopped- "Burn Baby Burn"

She would speak again at for a movement he would stand in shock, she was leaving? And the second realisation would come. ?No. if you want to leave, then fine, but my kids are staying with me. I've been the one who has looked after them for the last while, they know me, they've been sleeping with me and I love them? how could she take them from him? They where his children and he loved them dearly well she had barely paid them any mind well she had been back. No, he would not give up his children, they where his heirs, his little princess and princes. She could not be that cruel, even after all this surely she could not actually be so cruel as to take them from him, it had been clear every single step of the way how much he loved them, dotted on them and wanted to give them the world. She abandoned them and now she wanted to take them from him? It seemed purely like a move of spite, not of love for them. He would stand his ground on this one, he would not let her take what he loved most in the world ? second only to Sibelle herself. In the wake of his need for his children it hadn't yet sunk in that Sibelle was leaving him, abandoning him as she had that day with their children. He took a shaky breath, and formed a mirage of strength, holding himself strong in the bearing of a king. "You dont have a tier 2 or higher rank and have no right over taking them" he told her

His words would still her, immediately igniting that fiery rage that was caged within. Was he implying that she did not love her children? Hackles would bristle, lips curling back in a vicious snarl. But his next words would still her. He was demoting her, and denying her her children? No. She would stalk towards him, aiming to once again stand directly in front on him, hoping to close the gap to only a few inches. Her eye would narrow, hackles bristling as the rest of her defenses fell into place. "I will burn this place to the fucking ground before I let you keep my children." Words came out in a venomous hiss. Like hell was he going to pry her kids from her. She didn't need a rank to have rights to the little lives she had birthed With her eye narrowed, and hackles raised, her shoulders would roll forward, neck scrunching to protect her vitals. Her legs would spread equidistant and bend at the joint, her toes would splay, claws digging into the ground for traction. Her would straighten, and align with her spine, ears pinned against her skull, her lips curled back, pushing extra skin around her face and eye. I don't need a rank for rights to my children. Nothing was going to stop her. Anyone who stood between her and her kids would be perceived as a threat and treated as such. And right now, he was that threat. Her hind end would drop lower to the ground, hind legs spreading, and her rear left paw sliding several inches back. She was prepared to launch herself at him. She was on fire with anger, he had thrown on to many accusations at her, he had implied too much. She had been more than willing to part of peaceful terms, raise her children and still allow him access to them, hence why she was staying nearby rather than racing to the north to join her sister. But now.... Now she was angry, now she had a point to prove. SIBELLE vs CRUCIFIX for RAVENNA, ILLARIA, KEIRAN: round 0/3? Speech,

image copyrighted to Lakela on dA

? I would stand by it if you asked the children where they wanted to live, Sibelle, but if you challenge for our children, if you take them from me out of what I perceive as spite in the face of me sacrificing everything for you, of every action I have ever taken since you got kidnapped being for you and for you alone, then never come back Sibelle, I will never want you again if your a woman who would hurt someone for sacrificing for you? His eyes where hard, and angry, even as they burned, even as he felt droplets of his salty blood burning against his cheeks. He could not believe Sibelle would do this to this, this was, this was not something he had ever imagined would come to pass, and in the wake of all he had done for her! For challenging for her freedom, for bleeding for her, to giving her space when he thought that was what she needed most. Only a brute would sleep in the same den as a woman who struggled to remember him. Why was she doing this to him? How could she cause him such trouble, and heartache, how could she fight him for helping her. So be it, if this was who she was if, if she was the sort of woman who would abandon her husband, her husband who had been sleeping alone and lost for her, then maybe he didn't want her. He entertained the thought of taking Twig and going to the islands, leaving this world behind and healing his scars, mental and physical, if he did, he was certain he would never return. He was broken inside, she was breaking him, if she did this to him then he would never ever be the same, nothing could ever be the same, and he would never forgive her for destroying him. He would leave this forsaken land, this hating, bitching world that would soon hold nothing for him. ""

Anger words would leave his lips. He would support her only on a condition. But how could she possibly split her children up? She would give them a choice, but when they were old enough to understand. He thought she was doing this out of spite? He had forced her hand! She would never forget what he had done for her, how he had risked his life her. She loved him for it. She loved him with all her heart. But he had abandoned her in her time of need. He had separated her from her children and made no effort to even try to help her regain memories. She had floated around this place picking up the pieces herself, recovering the gaps in time alone. She was about to speak, to interrupt him and explain. But his words sucked the breath from her lungs and had her rearing back as though he had actually struck her. For a moment she said nothing, she felt nothing. All she could feel was the ice that was encasing her heart and shunning all emotions. He didn't want her. He tossed her aside so easily, slamming the door in face. There was no going back now. She would blink several times, pushing back tears that threatened to spill. "I-I...." She couldn't form the words. I never wanted to hurt you. She would back away from him, her defenses falling though her ears remained pinned. Her tail tucked against her rump as she tried and failed to rip her gaze from his. Never in her wildest nightmares had she wanted this, any of this to happen. The silver bitch had done more damage than she thought. She would spin away from him, her legs tangling briefly in her rush. She needed to be alone. As soon as her back was to him, tears would spill, wetting her cheeks. She didn't run. She moved with as much dignity as possible, though her tail hung limply between her legs. Her vision blurred as the remnants of her heart shattered. -exit unless stopped - "Burn Baby Burn"

He would stand his ground, begging for some sight of the Sibelle he had known and loved, yes that Sibelle had been of fire, but it had been a fire he could relate to and love. This fire was one that threatened to tear down his world, one that threatened to break him and everything he had ever created with her, Solstice, their children, their lives, this fire could not be the Sibelle he loved. His words would actually break through, at last, something he said did not make her want to tear him apart, she stuttered out a word, and even well his heart continued breaking, it wasn't an irreversible break, it wasn't a break without hope. He could see her falling apart, and in her breaking he could see the Sibelle he had loved and lost. She would begin to walk away from him, but he couldn't stand to see that of her. ?Sibelle!? he called out, but voice barely made it through his dry throat. He blinked back his tears, cleared his throat and tried again ?Sibelle, don't go, if.. if your willing.. I want to work this out.. together, as a team? he said softly, but he made no move to go after her. Even know, he did not want to push her, even if not pushing her seemed to be what got him in this mess in the first place, he still couldn't bring himself to force her presence upon her, after everything, no matter how much he sacrificed for her, it had to her choice to be with him, and that was the way it would always be, and so long as she wanted him, he would show her love. "Speech"

Her name would fall from his lips, causing muscles to stiffen with uncertainty as she came to halt. He requested that she stay, if she wanted to. He wanted to work this out, to patch things up. Haunches would drop unceremoniously to the ground with a thud, her forelegs sliding out from under her, leaving her in a russet heap on the forest floor. She didn't turn to face him, she didn't say a word. All she could do was lay there, drowning her thoughts. She was so uncertain. She knew she loved him, that would never change, it hadn't changed. But she felt as though she had lost her faith in him. She felt as though she had been pushed aside and abandoned. He had spent all time keeping a failing pack alive and carrying for their children. A sigh would roll off her tongue, heaving her sides as she fixated her singular gaze on a bush before her. He had accused her of abandoning their children and purposefully getting kidnapped. She had done nothing wrong. But in his eyes she had. Could that ever be mended? Could she ever forgive him? There was so much she had already forgiven him for. Her eye would close, blocking the stresses of the world and trying to focus simply on what she wanted in that moment, what would make her complete and happy. Weariness washed over her like a wave. She wanted to get away, away from this place, and simply live in peace with her little family. "Speech"

He would watch as she collapsed to the ground, hesitant for a moment, then sure as he glided forward towards her. ?Oh Sibelle? he whispered softly, kneeling on the ground beside her by folding his forepaws into a kneel. ?I was only ever trying to help you, when did that turn into me hurting you?? he asked softly. He tried to make contact with her eyes, to build up a shred of strength in him to do this right, a strength for her, always for her. ?i know you where having trouble remembering things Sibelle, I didn't want to force my presence upon you or overwhelm you well you where still adjusting, but I wasn't far away and I was always there waiting for you to be ready to come to me. Clearly that was the wrong approach for you, and im sorry. You know I want to be here for you, right? You know that that is all I have ever wanted?? he whispered softly. ""

He would approach, kneeling down beside her, his warmth surrounding her comfortingly. She would lean into him instinctively, finding peace in his touch. He had so many questions. She would peer up at him, her eye opening without hesitation. His voice was soft, a whisper against her face. "I knew you blamed me for what had happened. And I thought that you staying away was your way of blaming me, like isolating me was your form of punishment." She would explain softly, looking up at him with blurry eyes. She would confess her thoughts and what she had felt these past few weeks. She would bury her face into the side of his neck, unable to answer anymore questions. She drew in a shaky breath, her eye falling closed as she lost her in his scent. She pressed harder against him, wanting nothing more than to be consumed by him. A low whine would vibrate her larynx. It had been so long since she had been this close to him, she felt alive, like she could spend all night wrapped in his embrace. She moved closer, but it was never enough. His scent mingled heavily with her own, his wrapped around her like a vice, though it was pleasantly forceful. "Burn Baby Burn"

It was true that a part of him would always blame her for what had happened and how it had effected their family, and out of worry for thei children. But he couldn't truly blame her when in the end, she was the one who had been hurt the most from it. He wanted to support her and always be there for her. He had never intended for himself to change or for her to change also, but it had happened and now they where here. The only question now was, where would they take this road, what happened now was on them and this was the chance to make something good of it all. ?No Sibelle. I can tell you right now that I never intended to isolate you, nor punish you. You already extracted a punishment you should not have, being stuck in their hell hole of a pack, and for that? he shook a little, and had to bite back his rage and take a breath before he could continue ?And for that brute to hurt you... no, Sibelle, I worry when you leave but it is your right, I wasn't punishing you, I honestly thought I was helping you. When you barely recognised me.. I would have been a sheer brute to force my presence on you before you could come to terms with who I was to you again.? now he could understand some of her anger, for her to go through hell and her husband to punish her for it. He melted wholly then, collapsing fully beside her and scrambling to bring himself closer to her side. He would bury his head in the soft fur of her neck, and breath, and struggle to hold back his tears. ?If anything i've been punishing myself, holding myself back from you as I waited was a nightmare. I've missed you so much, my Sibelle, it's been breaking my heart? he whispered. She was moving closer to him still, digging into him and he welcomed here, pulling her in closer and feeling the beat of his heart through his own coat, feeling the rise and fall of his breath. Without consciously realising it, he was crying now, but it was blissful tears, he had missed her with a steady ache and her she was at last, his balm. It had taken him too long to rescue her, to long spend deciding and planning, that when at last he had went for it had been too late, when that brute had hurt her, he had taken something from her and for that Cru blamed himself. "Speech"

His comforting words would ease her worries, though it would never change what had been done. She would meet his gaze steadily, allowing his words to mend her wounds and patch their relationship. His face pressed into her neck, his words breaking her heart. She had never meant for this to happen, it had all been a horrible mistake. Never again did she want to experience such a thing, being ripped from her home, her mate, her children. It had all been so unbearable. And yet, from such darkness had come some light. She had met another nephew, Valentine. Never in a thousand years had she expected her brother and Cataleya to come together long enough to create life. But now she knew that she was an aunt to more than just Maija's children. She would find herself wrapped in his embrace, once again burying her face into his neck, her claws scoring the ground in an attempt to pull herself closer. His scent worked itself into her pelt, steadily removing the stench of Arcanum and replacing it with their own. Her skin was on fire, her body desperate for his touch. A low, pleading whine would leave her lips, her jaws turning to adorn his neck and throat with soft kisses and gentle nips. His warmth continued to creep across her body, settling heavily in her belly as her eyes once again began to blaze with a different sort of fire. "Burn Baby Burn"

She would pull herself closer and he would welcome her, holding her so tight he couldn't imagine a single ounce of space was anywhere between them. He could feel the softness of her coat crushed against his own and could feel her heart beat through every part of them that touched. He could sense the gentle rise and fall of her breath and scent her life and familiarity all around him. He held her like a drowning man and she was his life line, like nothing else in the world could matter more then holding her close. He had missed this so much, too much and he was starving for her company, her presence, her happiness. A whine would escape her and he would gently dig in the paws that held her to him, and then she would kiss him and he would understand the sound that came from her. His hesitation wouldn't not have even been noticeable, as he thought the rightness of it in his head ? but clearly she was coming back to herself, remembered him wholly and wanted this ? and nor where they a stranger to each others pleasures. He sighed, once, in deep contentment as he nuzzled his head against her neck. He needed her to know she was special, that was loved wholly and without reservations. That she was the sweetest thing in his life and that he cherished every second with her. He ensured that his every action spoke this, holding her in a gentle, yet firm grasp, nuzzling against her, gasping gently in desire and pleasure as he wrapped his tail about her, as he needled his paws against her back and nipped softly, drawing a line from below to ear to her neck, to her chest, owning her, claiming her with his caress.



He didn't have to ask her if this was what she wanted, he knew, but before he would take her in that way he would make her burn for his touch, make her see in every fire that flowed through their bodies that he wanted nothing more then her. He teased her gently, rubbing his tail against her back, licking cool, slow licks against her face and tugging gently against her ear lob with his teeth, waiting for her to gasp his name

"Speech"
'thoughts'

He held onto her like his very lift depended on it, and she would do that same. His touch was like fire, scolding her pleasantly each time he made contact. He would press against her, his grasp firm. His fangs would score her flesh in light nips which she would lean into, opening herself up to his touch. It didn't take long for her to realize what he was doing. He continued his assault of taunting and teasing her with his touch. Her heart pounded relentlessly against her chest, her breathing steadily growing heavier. It had been far too long since she last enjoyed his touch. She swelled with impatience, her body screaming for release. A throaty growl mingled with a moan, vibrating her larynx as she peered up at him through her lashes. His fangs would scrape her ear, tugging gently at the appendage. That was the last straw. A shiver rolled down her spine, a sigh whooshing form her lungs. "Crucifix." His name left her lips on a breath, her words low and husky. Desire coursed through her veins, her emerald pool melting beneath his touch. She wasn't sure how much more she could take of his teasing, her control was already fraying. "Burn Baby Burn"

He could feel her like he never had before, their separation sweetened the moment, added fire and desire like they where starved for each others touch and flesh and he truly couldn't stand any space between them. He needed her, it had been so long since they had enjoyed each other company this way and the mere thought of them together was enough to set his heart racing. Their contact, the sounds of her excitement made it so great that he wasn't certain he could hold out and continue his loving torture of her. He could hear the quickening of her breath, and he gasped himself at the sweetness of the sound. Her eyes latched onto his, looking up at from beneath her latches and he could see her smouldering fire there in those brilliant orbs. At last, she would moan his name and he would smile between his kisses ?Sibelle? he returned the moan, crushing his fangs gently into her skin one more time before he moved himself to cover her and gave in to both of their burning desires. ""