Ravensblood Forest the healing touch

It was only for a small moment, albeit a bit of a breathless one, that Arturo thought he was looking at Duana, for the red hued female lowered into the current of the river resembled her physically. Logic set in mere seconds later, the scent was all wrong, mixed with the pungent scent of fresh wounds. It had been that particular scent that had drawn the Ceannasach's attention in the first place. From the shadows of the underbrush and tall seqouias, his side pressed against the nearest tree trunk, it's bark and hardened red sap residue hard against his skin, Arturo watched. Fiery, red-orange gaze swept over her, his head ducked to study her through the underbrush as he processed whether he felt disappointment or relief. Perhaps a strong mixture of both. Duana had no intention to seek him, nor follow him. She had made that clear when she'd told him she would stay behind and aid Boadicea in the running of Quicksilver Hollow. The lovers' time had ran it's natural course. He was not an easy man to love and Duana's lackadaisical disposition had made her role in the gangster's life unclear. She had wanted a knight in shining armor and instead she'd gotten a gangster and while she had raised her children to the tenants of The Family Arturo had often questioned if she believed in them herself.

Relief, then. He respected the mother of his children greatly, of course, but he still deduced that the majority of what he felt was relief that this stranger was not his estranged lover. Perhaps the disappointment stemmed from the fact that Arturo very much desired to sire children once more and it was only logical that his thoughts travel to the woman who had given him his first (and currently only) batch of children. His head rose and he gave a low chuff to announce his presence to her before he emerged from the shadows. “Are you alright?” Because Arturo prided himself on being a gentleman, first and foremost. Especially towards the fairer sex. He would deign to always help a woman in need, providing it was within his power. Still, Arturo kept his distance from her, unsure how she might perceive his presence, and he adhered to the side of caution. Soon, these lands would be claimed by him and his and loners trekking their way through his forest would be brought to an abrupt end; but while it continued Arturo figured he might as well seize the opportunities while they presented themselves to him.