Ravensblood Forest you're by my side, but are you still with me?

congrats on 300!!!!

merrick's figure prowled ahead, slowing. astara's long strides carried her swiftly to him; in mere seconds the pitch of her fur pressed against his dark flank, black meshing into copper -- the transfer of heat and her scent left deliberately among him. he was hers -- she preened the back of his coppery spine, almost too roughly. out of the corner of her eye she watched the crone that moved ahead, daring her to glance back and see merrick, and how she folded 'round him -- for he was hers alone.

content in that moment that her possession was clear, astara pulled away -- yet not before doling a swift snap of her teeth at his muzzle. it was a rough kind of love -- not ungentle, but no delicate thing to be carefully handled either; it was strong and robust, keen and sharp to all users. astara's indigo gaze fell upon merrick's auburn sights for a timeless beat, as if attempting to read the thoughts that lingered in his mind.