As Amaranth curled tighter into her nape, Valeska wondered briefly if she had said something wrong. The silence that followed worried her, but perhaps it was the cold; she let it go and carried on anyway, always ready to hope for the best.

It was probably nothing.

Capable, she called their children.

Valeska closed her eyes as the same parade of familiar faces marched past her mind's vision. Yes. She followed a similar thought process, ruling out Alder and Sreda given their allegiance to Northfall; Dimitri had taken up residence and responsibility of Avon, while Violet was - somewhere, usually - but she would not think of Narcissa at all, for it hurt too much.

Aelia, Amaris... Amaya...

Hm.

Almost sleepily, Amaranth would mumble into the delicate fur of her ear as they entwined ever further, caught up in the flame and the depths of their own secret desires. They both felt ready - so why shouldn't they? The High Priestess and her Augur had worked diligently for so many years now, and what was the point of growing old if you couldn't slow down and enjoy the small things for once?

Aelia and Amaris, she, too, would then whisper into the silence. The crackle of the flame was a comforting sound against the bitter winds that ripped through the nearby forest; its heat would have lulled her into a hazy dream if not for the hunger she also felt for her mate.

How beautiful she was, Valeska thought distantly. How perfect.

And together they had made such perfect children.

I think... the twins, together, she continued, They are sensible, and still belong to Elysium. Aelia is sociable and kind, and she would ensure they are heard and content. Amaris is loyal and cares deeply for order - he, the gentle moon to her radiant sun. It would be fitting, no?

She smiled dreamily. But it felt wrong to leave their little dark star out of the discussion.

Amaya could - keep them all safe. She is good at turning away those with evil intent.

(She was good at turning away everything and everyone, regardless of intent, particularly given the sheer radius of her overwhelming stench. But the point still stood.)

... And then we could rest. Travel, maybe. Enjoy each other the way we have missed for so long.