Redhawk Caldera Every single party needs a no-show

bronco did not get better.
teya supported him as she could; the duties of brecheliant were hers entire, delegated where she was able. forays were infrequent; she patrolled where she was needed and returned to his side, coaxing him with broth and chewed meat, with edible greenery.
and when eljay silently came and left his offerings, something deep inside a woman who loved a man so completely screamed. but she had said nothing; she had taken bronco's kisses and given him many of her own; the memories delivered; the unsaid emotions she had never unsnarled now turned to poetry for those beautiful ragged ears.
teya had seen death and had not recovered from it; teya had —
bronco's warm muscularity lulled the exhausted raven into a semi-sleep, mind turning to self protection.
the daze broke at bronte's voice; a blink, a breath. teya felt the coldness of bronco's form beside her and —
she cast out her embrace, to catch bronte; her voice was garbled, a choking sound as she tried in all valiance to hold herself in check. "he not going to wake up, baby."
maybe it was the wrong thing to say, to speak aloud; but it was all in the moment that teya possessed, an she tried very hard to forestall any hysteria.
"daddy was sick, yes? he is — not, now," oh, fuck, throat constricting, breath coming harder; "now he is — not suffering."
fuck fuck fuck fuck.
she wanted to scream.