Redsand Canyon pollis

whatever came to mind next dissolved beneath ruenna's words. he had no response for mention of courtship past or present. 

germanicus grew very still, the line of his shoulders firm with some unnamed emotion. and for that time it seemed his eyes beheld nothing.

and then the imperator blinked.

he returned to himself. moving so that he was truly before her, germanicus reached to perhaps pull his wife somewhat closer.

he was unromantic. and the eagle was not one who allowed his emotions more than the tight leather of a well-worn rein. but then again he had not heard these words before. and neither had the eagle experienced the sensation which tightened his chest inexorably and with a harsh intenseness unlike anything he had felt before.

her eyes were living gold, he felt. ruenna's face bore a glow that the man did not think he would comprehend. gently he lowered his forehead against her own, movements ginger with hesitation. 

"i will strive each day to be — better than i was the one before." he meant to be solemn but his voice held a slight roughness to its sound. "a better husband. a better — father." oh, he did not know that he understood the title. "and they will be adored."