Ocean's Breath Plateau Out on the mira

Though he would not have blamed her for raging against him after all this time, Dutch could not deny the relief he felt when he was accepted almost at once. Readily, he moved to hold her close, drawing her more firmly against him when she seemed to be afraid of hurting him. He might be weakened and injured, but he had strength enough left in him to hold onto his wife.

It became necessary to hold her and Katmai both, and Dutch felt suffused with bliss as he fussed over them both. He felt he could have done so happily for a lifetime, yet he was already breathless by the time Katmai quieted down. He waited for the boy's breaths to even out before resting his muzzle against Simbelmyne's temple.

"You have carried so much," he murmured to her, "And I have not been here to help you. I thought every night of the promises I made you — that you would have love and laughter all of your days."

This had plagued him endlessly. The vain hope that she would be laughing here without him had clearly been false; he saw now that she had indeed been suffering. Of course she had.

"I have failed you," he breathed, tears rolling down his muzzle, "But please know that you were still loved. Every day, Myna. I wanted nothing more than to make it back to you. To bring him home to you."