Ravensblood Forest We're bound to break and my hands are tied.

She could sense the worry in his tone. Durnehviir exhaled a gentle sigh and sank heavily against her companion's frame, smoothing her pale cheek across the proud arch of his shoulder. "I'm fine," she assured him, and set about preening the bold guard hairs near her muzzle. Her pregnancy had been kind to her so far, and she was hopeful for a stressless delivery when the time came. "We are fine."

Constantine kissed her forehead and she lifted her head enough to blink up at him with dreamy champagne eyes. Silence enveloped them again and while they were often comfortable to share their time together without words, the niggling thought of Swiftcurrent urged her to interrupt the quiet.

"Constantine," the dragoness started softly, trying to maintain the calm and prevent his anxiety from overflowing, "are you happy here?"