Lion Head Mesa milkweed

senmut loved the water. 

swimming was one of the singular pleasures possessed by a fellahin. for that was where his parentage hailed, and it was a fact that did not embarrass the hard-working boy.

when the princess materialized out of the darkening air, it would be just as senmut was pulling himself from the river's edge. water streamed from his coat. she was tearstained and much changed from the first time he had seen her.

the princess makono was upright and pale, like the curve of the full moon. touched in gold like her father, she wore his imperial stare. but where his was unmoving, hers was fathomless. she was breathtaking, a jewel which held brilliant fire. 

"amiirad," senmut whispered, creeping with wet fur to lie at her paws. he was shaken by the vision of makono where nazli had brought warmth.