Sunbeam Lair singulus

he needed to be alone. this had been necessary for a long while. but today the imperator took the opportunity.

aside from journeys of diplomacy or to leave his wife and children with complete strangers, and watch them walk away, he had not been by himself in months.

even with her injuries, ruenna had soothed his shoulders and his mind each night. it had been weeks. a handful and he was unraveling. two weeks? one? he never should have agreed to marriage. it had made him far too dependent on her consistent presence. and now that she was gone, germanicus felt himself lost.

he was grateful to climb down among the silent stones and hidden forest. the trees here seemed primordial, cut off from the outer elements.

the imperator lost himself in the shadows. time passed, and he allowed the tightening in his throat to become a soft sound, something unfit for the ears of any living being save himself: grief.