Her declaration didn’t surprise him in the least. Caracal smiled fondly at Heda, reaching out to brush his muzzle against hers, their whiskers tickling. He followed her example and looked around, testing the air. He’d passed through this area many times, though he’d never really lingered.
Nope, I’m good. I miss the island and I’m ready to go home,
he said to her. I’ll be right beside you, though I can also hang back once we get there. I know Mireille isn’t the biggest fan of dudes…
Caracal huffed a quiet laugh. I can hang out in the background while you have some girl time.
She needed to rest a bit before they made the long trek to Sapphique. While Heda sought out a comfy place to sleep, Caracal took note of their surroundings. He thought he smelled a pack’s scents near the foot of the keep, though they soon faded behind them as the pair traipsed northeast.
He tried not to look longingly at the island as they passed it. They crossed the river and settled down in the shadow of Horizon Ridge. Tomorrow they would travel across Barrow Fields and toward the sound beside the cliffs. Caracal planned to hang back there while Heda visited her friend.
When Heda looked wan and said she didn’t feel well the following morning, Caracal insisted they cancel the visit to Sapphique and head home instead. The circumstances were a bit nerve-wracking—was Heda about to go into labor?!—but it was so good to be back on the island, Caracal could weep.
I thought I’d make this segue, please drop me a line if you’d prefer I change any of this.