skill: 0/5

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Adonis roused and admired their children with her. There were so many moments that they passed together, like this – heads bowed in together, gazing in amazement at the four.

I fear we may have tired paws for years yet to come, she whispered back, placing her attention on the two tiny males of the litter. Euphemia hadn’t realized it until days after the birth, that she had sons. Subconsciously, she had been expecting the same as her own litter – all female.

Despite this, genetic tradition had carried through in the twins, Prism and Halo, so interesting opposite when she and Aurelia were direct replicas. That Firebright was already a handful, like Tiberii and Father. Oh, and having four! Mother had only had litters of four. It was this small wonder that kept a hidden smile just behind her lips.

The maiden had never before felt so connected to her mother.

Not, when she encountered the pink flame, and had fallen in love with Adonis. Especially not when she had decided to attack the chained wolf; no, in that moment, she had learned to be relentless. When she must move her newborns across the continent, she had learned to be focused.

Somewhere along the way, looking at those small puppies ripe and teeming with innocence, Euphemia found it in herself to be soft again.

The mother tipped her nose upward, blinking any final bits of sleep from her eyes. She was glad Hexx had returned to them, and was glad for him now. With the presence of two of Dawnbreak’s most stalwart men, Euphemia felt confident. She felt fortunate. She felt –

Hexx… Thank you, she said in an accidental non-whisper, correcting her tone to something more hushed mid-sentence. She wrinkled her nose at herself, then decided it was time to wake the children anyways. It would only be for a moment, and they were sure to squall, but it must be done!

The travel would lull them to sleep within minutes, anyways.

Spirits bright, children. It’s time for you to meet your Vale, she said in a firmer voice, and pressed her nose against the side of one little round balloon-belly. They would need to eat, and quickly, if they were to make it home before nightfall.

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