Hideaway Strath roll deep

“Good,” Lotte responded simply at Belle’s reassurance that Declan’s behavior, although a bit overbearing for Banríon’s taste, was wholly innocuous. Boldly she leaned forward, and if August would allow it, the bridge of Lotte’s broad nuzzle would nudge encouragingly against one pale cheek. “I wish for you to learn much here,” she said, her tail thumping heartily upon the earth. “I wish for you to learn true freedom and the strength that lies in your bones.” A dazzling smile lit up the songbird’s black-masked face. “Thank you,” she said in her warm, rich alto. “I know it is not easy for you to swear to that, but I will not let harm come to you here.” It was perhaps naïveté on Lotte’s part that caused her to make such impossible promises, but that’s simply how it was. She would not allow any harm to come to August if she could prevent it — she would do her best.