She, too, is a victim. Her skin is pulled taut across her bones, and her coat is dulled by the residing infection. Castile watches her, his mismatched eyes hooded but nonetheless observant. Not long ago, his body struggled to move but he forced himself to live, to survive. When he soared high above, his muscles trembled and his lungs screamed. Although not yet entirely healed, he has at least found someone able to mask the symptoms enough so that he may eat and run and fly effortlessly. Each week, when the symptoms surface again, he revisits the imprisoned angel so that he may have another taste of relief.

Castile is a monster in almost every way. Blood is on his hands and his body can contort into a titanic beast, but amid all of that – hidden far beneath the turbulent surface waters – there is a beating and caring heart. It climbs up now to breach, and it pushes him forward until he stands in front of her.

Not prey, he reminds himself as his gaze slips across her in fascination. His steady heartbeat overwhelms the creature that lies in wait within him, chaining shut its mouth long enough to handle a conversation. Preceding with a grin, he offers a simple introduction. ”The name’s Castile,” it flows easily from his tongue even as his voice rumbles like a throaty growl. Sunlight catches his bronze locks as his head inclines to shift them from his view. Silver and orange. They are intense, much like a predator, but they are complicated and somehow alluring. ”And your name?” He doesn’t end it there though as his gaze hungrily scrapes across her once more prior to leveling on her blue eyes. Although she seems harmless enough, his natural instinct is to be wary. Rope-like muscles contract beneath his skin and ripple as he casually shrugs. The summer heat incubates him further, but he thrives in the warmth. His touch – if he were to reach for her – would be abnormally warm due to the fire churning within him.

Alas, he doesn’t yet provide her that comfort or reassurance.

Instead, he remains somewhat formal, attentive. ”Loess,” he spares a sideways glance to indicate the landscape that unravels behind him, ”Will you be staying with us, or are you simply visiting?”

She notices the intensity of his stare, and her mind reels with reasons, but Castile provides no other reasons to be afraid.

His voice, though laced with rigid formality, is still warm and heated by the flames in his gut. She – Lo, she soon offers – does not quake beneath his curt manner, but instead faces it with a languidity that he appreciates in silence. A break in his stoicism invites a shadowed grin to wrinkle the edges of his mouth. ”Lo it is, then,” he agrees with a slight nod of his baroque head while clutching her name tightly. With an easiness to her company, Castile is admittedly pleased when she provides confirmation – and hope – to remain tucked within Loess as another resident. As the kingdom expands its reach and influence, he cannot deny the bouts of pride that bloom in his chest. There have been multiple that he watched the kingdom from his rocky precipice. Beneath his rule thus far, it is thriving.

Loess is strong, and Ischia will be, too.
They will become a force. They will be formidable together with siblings taking the thrones.

To increase Loess’ strength by another – with Leokadia – Castile hums low in delight. ”Wonderful to hear,” he begins prior to pivoting away so that he no longer blocks the land’s entrance from her. It unravels and is immediately an enticing lure to her future and potential accomplishments. ”Tell me, Lo, do you have a purpose? Or perhaps an interest that you think would help Loess or contribute to its rising power?” Ranks will be implemented, of course, but he takes into consideration the diversity that he is harboring within these walls, and the assets they possess. Each one of them has a talent to assist in the kingdom’s success and growth, even if it is as low-maintenance as motherhood to help raise children. ”Let us walk so you may see your new home.” Slowly, Castile turns to begin their slow amble, their conversation holding his interest even as his eyes rove across the springs and rocky outcroppings.