Had I known how he worried, I would have been quick to reassure him that there was no need. He is kind and caring and attentive: everything that a mare could want in a stallion. He had even offered monogamy, an archaic tradition that I hadn't accepted as readily as he had seemed to want me to. I do not mind the other women; if anything I appreciate them for what they can give him that I cannot: genuine cheerfulness, satisfaction, children. That awkward admission still lingers between us, and so when he adds that Mary and Rey are here, I wear a smile that looks perfectly genuine.
"Yes, I've seen them a few times." I reply, before leaning farther into the familiar warmth of his side. The physical affection is easy, so long as it remains innocent. I had been frequently, and perhaps suspiciously, absent from the hills of Loess during the autumn, but now that the leaves have fallen (at least outside of Sylva) I'm far more relaxed in his presence.
"Are we to take contracts as well?" I ask, wondering how much of Loess' mercenary command structure we will imitate. "Have we sent out diplomats to the other kingdoms to announce the change in leadership? Is Sylva going to remain a haven for evildoers?" There's curiousity in my dark eyes, but I am glad that Arthas cannot see my face as I ask the questions. My tone is carefully neutral. It's not my place to presume how much independent power I will have as a queen, but it is good to suss out how things might have changed from my position as Cleric of Loess to Queen of Sylva.
"Yes, I've seen them a few times." I reply, before leaning farther into the familiar warmth of his side. The physical affection is easy, so long as it remains innocent. I had been frequently, and perhaps suspiciously, absent from the hills of Loess during the autumn, but now that the leaves have fallen (at least outside of Sylva) I'm far more relaxed in his presence.
"Are we to take contracts as well?" I ask, wondering how much of Loess' mercenary command structure we will imitate. "Have we sent out diplomats to the other kingdoms to announce the change in leadership? Is Sylva going to remain a haven for evildoers?" There's curiousity in my dark eyes, but I am glad that Arthas cannot see my face as I ask the questions. My tone is carefully neutral. It's not my place to presume how much independent power I will have as a queen, but it is good to suss out how things might have changed from my position as Cleric of Loess to Queen of Sylva.
