Dragoncrest Cliffs swell of the sea

Wildfire had been through this phase three times now and was pretty certain she could spot the pattern. Trying not to get ahead of herself, she calmly plucked herself from within the hollow redwood, stretched in the February sunshine, then sniffed the air and began tracking her mate. Her heart thumped in her chest despite the slow pace she enforced on herself and her mind was spinning on its axis. But the Feisripa did her best to remain calm as she closed in on the commander across the woods.

The Heda was not alone. Wildfire licked her lips when she saw Étoille. She offered him a polite nod then turned to ask Thuringwethil if she could speak to her privately for a moment. But even as the words were to spring from her tongue, she pressed her lips together. Despite the frantic feelings running amok within her, there was no hurry. She drew in a deep breath, mustering patience.

"Hei," she breathed, unaware that she had just inadvertently answered Étoille's inquiry.