-Diorae-
When they had parted she had still been covered in sweat and blood. The water had only partly cleaned her golden coat, leaving her ‘upper’ half still dirty. Dirty, that was how she felt. Not because she’d been covered in god knows what, but because of what she had done. And no, with that Marigold didn’t refer to their coupling. The only result of that was that she desired him more. His attention, his touch, his praise.
No, she’d been haunted by what she had done. It had not lasted long, though it had added to her anxiety. Once Longclaw was no longer in her presence, she could tell eyes were following her each and every move. Meeting the peacock feathered mare had helped a little, but only while near. Once alone, Marigold had freaked out. Each sound and smell, a flash out of the corner of her eye. Every one of them too much for her fragile mind.
Without the dog, the cat went crazy.
Hé had done something to her, and that thing had gotten the upper hand. Without Longclaw to protect her, the lioness had stepped in to do it for him. No Marigold, no Diorae, just the lioness and her primal instinct. One might say she’s trapped by this new and other side of herself, but she accepted it. She didn’t have to think or worry, to deal with the watching eyes. As the lioness, she wás the one watching others.
The dense jungle of Tephra had been her home all the time. It did not offer her enough protection of whoever might be watching, it also offered plenty of prey. Though the lioness acted only on instinct, she had had quite a couple of days without a meal. Lately, she’d been more efficient. Crouched low and sneaking forward, one paw in front of the other, as her eyes fixated on a lone deer.
A beautiful face is a mute recommendation.