Sleeping Dragon Quit this city

Wildfire's lips pinched together at the child's evident relief and lighthearted remark. Had she been so obvious? She thought she had hidden her inner turmoil well. But then, Freyja had always been a very astute individual. She had probably sensed the Bandrona's discomfiture and picked up on her criticism. This awareness made the yearling uncomfortable, though she supposed it was for the best; perhaps knowing Freyja could see right through her would help her curb her behavior.

"Let me think on that," Wildfire said, reaching out to nudge Freyja's cheek, "and get back to you." It wasn't just that she needed to get her feelings under control, the question deserved some real contemplation. "Maybe I can help Heda mentor you," she added with a soft swipe of her tail, ignoring the slight twitch of heat along her shoulder blades.

"Are you hungry?" she wondered in the next breath, motioning at the cooling rabbit at her feet. "It's all yours if you want it," Wildfire said. Despite her words, she snatched the limp carcass off the ground and swung it away from the Feisripa. "That is, if you can get it!" she teased through the fur and flesh in her mouth, trying to distract them both from the talk of leadership.