Blackfoot Forest Lost behind the fading light

His wound had almost fully mended now, thanks to Etienne’s care. Cambria tried to repay his kindness—and demonstrate his ongoing affection—by dropping off some small game at the borders every now and again. He never lingered too long, disappearing back into the wilderness and finding plenty to occupy his time until their next rendezvous.

His tracking led him south today, across a dormant meadow. He sniffed around for rabbits, muttering a word that sounded a lot like “jackpot” under his breath two ticks before a distant wail made his ear twitch. Cambria lifted his head, heart quivering when he realized he recognized that cry.

Now it hammered against his ribs as he galloped even further south, into a deep wood. There, he not only found a crumpled Etienne but a large, pale stranger. He caught the tail end of the latter’s introduction as he distractedly stepped up beside Etienne, telegraphing his intention before thrusting his nose against his cheek.

What’s happened, Eti? he asked, yearning to wipe the tear stains from the healer’s face but aware that was probably too intimate, particularly with a stranger looking on.

Speaking of which, his mismatched eyes cut over to the man as a queer feeling sprang up within him. He couldn’t help but notice this situation was very much like their meet-cute. Was this Winter’s Wake as struck by Etienne’s vulnerability as he himself had been? The Dragonling knew he had no right to the jealousy which speared through him, though he couldn’t quite help the hairy eyeball he gave the mimic.