Wheeling Gull Isle swega

it had not been difficult to forgive caracal for what was truly an accident. she had nursed little ava, checked her over. but her mate was committed fiercely to what felt like a punishment — for them both. his absence was immediately stark and noticeable, even though he shirked not a moment with their eight children.
heda had very few moments alone with caracal, taken here and there. the familiar pressure of his body somewhere near her own each night was how she soothed herself with such tiny seconds, and now it was gone. she told herself that surely god had led him to seek absolution, and as his wife she should not question.
but her heart hurt, if only a little. plans for a visit to the mainland began to form in her head as she gathered heads of sea-lavender with which to refresh the den, singing softly as she plucked the nodding purple spires.