Arrow Lake abbatia

"you did not see me with my wife," came his sharp reply, followed by the realization that the long hurt of ruenna had not all left him.

and that fennec had not replaced her nor could she. nor did he want her to be replaced, the slivers of memory tucked beneath his breastplate like fading charms.

"mereo does not want me as their king." had he armor he might have spitefully stripped it from his wrists now. "my children do not want me as their father." proverbial helmet, thudding to the earth. "and my new wife wants to meet pharaoh herself. she no longer trusts my judgement in that regard."

bare now, stripped of rank. he was imperator in name only. "i will not abandon those who remain. but i have served my purpose in these mountains now."

her scent thrilled in the air, and his jaw was a line of iron. "you do not have to wait for my companionship, lady meadow."