she deigned, and he sighed in the small span of time during which his lips too touched her cheek. turning his attention to peregrine, lasher listened intently to his devil's words, nodding. blue willow and atticus must be brought into the fold, though he was unsure of how peregrine's brother would respond. chiding himself for his judgement, the earthen servant moved to the alpha's other side, flanking him as a lover and as a confidant.
in time, as the last echoes of the panther's summons died away, the willow arrived, and taltos watched her fondly. the woman's gentle nature was first to surface; she proffered healing to fox, which went unaccepted.
the tension in the ruby was palpable, and as much as lasher loved peregrine, he wondered if it was wise to elevate her so hastily before she had learned the plateau and its wolves. yet it was not in his nature to question, nor his intention, and so he settled himself to observe the outcome of this meeting.