"Volug..." The newly crowned Queen Micaiah's voice called out into the night. "Volug, are you out here?" she took a step outside, resting her hand on the stone wall. The pavement was cold under her bare feet and the wind bit through the thin white nightgown that covered her.
Yes? The reply was in the old tongue, and a little bit sleepy. What do you need Micaiah? the wolf's tone was short, but only in the freshly awake sort of way. He stood up and stretched.
"I just wanted to talk to you." She said, sitting down on the steps. The laguz nodded and sat down beside her. He was still without a shirt, but despite the cold, showed no sign of chill. His ear twitched slightly in the wind, still listening for any sign on danger or intrusion.
Micaiah smiled, her eyes drifting heavenward to rest upon the distant moon. The light bounced of her hair, making it glow. Everything about her seemed mystical, from the way she sat to the silver-hair that dancing lazily in the winter wind. The only thing that gave her away as a mortal creature was the way she shook in the cold, but it was barely noticeable in the pale light.
What about? Volug asked. He followed her gaze, but his eyes always returned to focus on her face. The gentle curve of her lips as she smiled filled him with warmth. Warmth enough to keep out the Daein chill. Her eyes were a soft gold, suns to the moonlight of her hair. She was honestly, truly beautiful in that moment. And not even Volug could ignore it.
"I wanted to thank you for all you help. From the beginning." She looked at him and smiled, "Without you we wouldn't have won back Daein, we wouldn't have saved Tellius from Ashera. Everyone helped, but...it was your idea...wasn't it?"
Wasn't what?
"Coming with us. You transformed of your own freewill back there in the desert. Traveling with us...that was your idea."
...yes. Volug said, he shifted his weight uncomfortably.
"and then later...Queen Nailah didn't send you back to guard me did she?"
No... The laguz took a deep breath, I wanted to help. I had never met a beorc before, and you were kind. You made the Heron happy, her Majesty trusted you, I wanted to help. He shot her a look, Don't get any ideas.
In a single deft motion, Micaiah wrapped her arms around the laguz's neck, he blushed and slowly lifted his arms, placing his hands at the small of her back and squeezing just a little. A tiny amount of pressure, but enough. He inhaled her scent, soft and delicate, just like her. Her fragrance reminded him of the cactus flowers in his homeland of Hatari. She fit so well in his arms, the little beorc queen, he relaxed slightly, squeezing her a little tighter. She shook from cold in his arm, but less than she had been before. He was warm and he willed that warmth into her. Into this tiny little beorc female.
"Thank you, Volug." She whispered, letting go and sitting up a little straighter, "I..." she stopped and took a deep breath, "I'd better get back inside, Sothe's not a terribly heavy sleeper. But...I wanted to tell you that...I'll miss you more than anyone." With that she turned and walked back inside, looking over her shoulder as she reached the door.
I will...miss you too. He muttered as she vanished from sight. The wolf took a deep breath and walked back towards where he had been sleeping. Then again...maybe I won't.
Micaiah crept back into her bedroom, she smiled to see that Sothe was still lying there, all the worries from war erased. He looked so young, but...she smiled, also so grown-up. The silver-maiden took a deep contented breath and slid under the covers, tucking her feet as far away from her sleeping love as possible, as to keep from startling him awake. She slept with her back to him, as she always had.
She let out a soft gasp as arms encircled her waist, pulling her backwards.
"Where did you go?" Sothe asked softly, kissing the back of her neck tenderly, and nuzzling her softly with his chin. Micaiah smiled and rolled over to face him.
"I wanted to talk to Volug for a moment, to thank him." she planted a soft kiss on the green-haired man's lips, "My king." Sothe sighed and pulled the woman closer to him, kissing her forehead.
"I hate that title. I'm only king because you're Queen, Micaiah," He said, "I don't think I'm cut out for this job." His lips met hers again, "Except for the protecting you bit. I'm good at that."
"Yes, yes you are."