It’s been so long since she last saw Jason.

She had chalked it down to their duties at first. Her roll as queen, and his activities as a diplomat had kept them both busy, running about on one matter after another. The twins too had contributed to this. Raising two children at once is an all-consuming task, especially when one is as wild as Sidra had been.

But as time and gone by and the twins had gotten older, and her own duties had lessened, his absence had become all the more apparent. And she misses him.

She’d never thought that she’d have something like this with anyone. Jason is kind, caring and loving. And, miracle of miracles, he loves her - has chosen her.

Or does he?

His absence has brought the tiniest trickle of doubt into her mind. She hates that she’s doubting him, but the tiniest part of her can’t help but wonder. Is he … done with her? Has he moved on?

It comes from her own insecurities, she knows. She is far from the most beautiful of mares, and Jason could have his pick of so many more attractive mares. But the Jason she knows would be honest with her. He wouldn’t leave her hanging, he would tell her the truth. Wouldn’t he?

There’s only one way to put these doubts to rest, she knows, and that’s to talk to him. Face to face.

She seeks him out in the centre of the kingdom, under the familiar shade of the Mother Tree. She raises her voice slightly, calling out to him. Hopefully he will hear her and answer.