and if there's life after that, i'll love you then

It had not been a week, and despite her hopes that Shadow would not come for her, he did just that. Unable to find sleep in fearful anticipation for a suspected arrival, Paarthurnax had slipped from the warmth of her burrow, as she had done the previous night. She knew someone from Noctisardor Bypass would at the very least come to the Easternmost border in search of her to deliver a message - a warning or perhaps even a hint that her departure was noted and understood.

She couldn't deny that her heart longed for her to look upon his handsome visage once more, to drink deep the sight of him for potentially the last time. So when she picked up the distinct aroma of her former mate, Paar went to him. But she did not go confidently, for hesitation slowed her pace.

When she found him, alone in a clearing just beyond the Creek's outskirts, her breath hitched in her throat. Hidden among the foliage she paused to quietly observe him standing there, uncertain if this was a trap to draw her out of the safety of Swiftcurrent to be snatched away by silent, waiting guards. Time dragged by and, confident that they could speak without interruption, Paarthurnax chuffed softly to announce her presence and made herself visible by striding out into the moonlight.

"Shadow," she mustered his name, concern lacing her tone as she detected the smell of fresh blood. As she approached from his right side, Paarthurnax could not see the injury to his brow, but instead of investigation she paused in her tracks to look calmly upon the silver outrider and try to ignore the frantic thrum of her broken heart.