Redsand Canyon Whatever makes you happy

Kallik made a mental note to take Aquene out to sit under the stars once the weather was more to her liking. His heart thumped strangely in his chest at the thought.

He nuzzled Aquene in return. She was being too forgiving and nicer than he deserved. It is a side meant only for you, he assured her. He didn't trust anyone else the way he trusted her, and so they would see only his cold, soldier side. Maybe with time it would change, but he didn't think so.

She pointed out that they all were important to Mereo. She always had the kinder perspective. But as she continued, he was reminded of her ex who was still at large. His jaw tightened and anger flared in his eyes. I will kill him; then you will never have to worry about him again. He would keep her safe—he had to.

She moved far more gracefully through the thorns and branches than he did. He surely left plenty of tufts of misty grey fur stuck in the underbrush behind them as they made their way through the strange forest. Aquene stopped and Kallik studied her closely. She found something called aconite; it could help with chills and was toxic in large amounts. But what constituted a large amount? Please be careful, he told her, a worried frown creasing his brow. What are chills? He would ask next. He wasn't familiar with that sickness.