Altar of Twilight andächtig

Few things last forever. Despite Mahler's tone, those words resonated in the lioness' mind. Nyx knew all too well how cruel fate could be, and recalled briefly all the times that each sliver of joy to enter her life had been ripped away from her. Teeth gritted, she steadied herself once more.

Yellow eyes lingered on the gargoyle's smoked cheek, felt a need within to reach for it in a quiet gesture of comfort as she had so many times before. She resisted, however, for the emotion surrounding her own removal from his side still weighed on her - a pain as raw as the moment she knew it had to be.

Her heart was a fickle thing. Nyx had never thought herself equipped to devote herself entirely to another nor did she feel any drive to rear another litter, yet she craved companionship. To have her siblings close was a comfort, but there always seemed to be something missing.

His effort to turn their sensitive discussion toward a different path fell on deaf ears, as Nyx remained caught up in the surprise that Wylla had truly left Sagtannet. She wished to know why, why had she chosen to depart after all the sacrifices that'd been made? Was there a possibility in her return, that prevented Mahler from extending an invitation for her to accompany their daughters to Rivenwood's new claim?

"I... " she struggled. "I could have loved you, Mahler." Gaze glassy, she inhaled slowly as she lifted it in effort to seek his own; it felt like the truest thing she'd ever said. Perhaps, in a less complicated world, she could've lived blissfully as she had for a time on Sawtooth where Mahler could come and go, stay for a while, have whatever freedom he desired.

Could have.

But she was never enough. Not for the world in which she could never seem to find a place to belong, and certainly not for him.

"I'm sorry."