Duskfire Glacier who whispered the beauty of snow and the fear of death

just a one-post-wonder for Lane. <3 congrats you two!!

Rye’s crooning voice met her ears, drawing Lane to the entrance of her own chamber in the mother’s section of the caverns. However, it was not her own name on the hotah’s breath, but Imaq’s. Of course it was Imaq! Lane ought to be ashamed, selfishly thinking Rye might be here for her when Imaq labored with his children.

There was still some hurt from Tzila’s delivery lingering—another instance in which Lane’s presence within the mother’s den had been all but ignored by Rye. Because of how all that had unfolded, Lane had some suspicions in the back of her mind about the genetics of Tzila’s litter.

With that particular hurt still smarting, it was downright masochistic for Lane to steal up to Imaq’s doorway to listen, but spurred on by jealousy, she had lost the ability to control herself. Within, she heard the all-too familiar sounds of mewling and suckling, and the hushed whispers of the proud new parents.

Their conversation was low and muffled at first, but soon Lane was able to pull enough words to understand that they were talking about marriage.

Lane burned.

She had kept her crush concealed, eager to see how her friendship with Rye unfolded and unaware that any amount of urgency might be necessary.  And now it was too late. Lane shrank from the doorway, feeling almost detached from her own body. She returned to her own chamber upon wobbly legs.

Casting her gaze down upon her sleeping children usually filled her with adoration, but at the moment, she could only think of what they had cost her. Because of them, she was imprisoned here with men who kept choosing other women. Because of them, Rye had been driven into Imaq’s embrace—at least, that was what Lane imagined.

She hoped Veteran and Wayfarer had gotten a good night’s sleep, because when they awoke, they would be moving out. Out of the shared den for certain, and maybe-- once Lane had time to formulate a plan—out of Duskfire Glacier.