”Please tell me it is not what it looks like, Levi.” The words spoken by the black and red woman could have been Amorette’s own. But she had seen the burns on Karaugh’s body, and there was no mistake of who had caused them. She had wanted to talk to him after what had happened in the cave, but they hadn’t had the chance yet. If any, it made Amore only more conflicted.
What Karaugh had said shocked her, still does, and where she managed to find peace with the captivity, the abuse and torture of the mare – in Karaugh’s own words – was an entirely different case. She knows now knows not to blindly believe Karaugh, but the seed of doubt had been planted. What if it were really true? Amorette needs Levi to say exactly what the red and black mare had asked of him, but he does not.
Karaugh’s entrance to the ‘party’ is met with bright flames and venomous words. Even from their place away from the gathering, the words make her flinch. There was no denying in the fact that she had taken the child away from his mother’s care, but only for his own wellbeing. She had been there when Levi had threatened him, leaving Kryptic behind hadn’t been an option after that.
Her dark eyes move to Warrick as her own ears flick back insecure. The way Karaugh had painted the abduction of the child, it might very well not be to his liking. She would not blame him for it, but Amore had only handled with the best interest for Kryptic on her mind. When her gaze meets Warrick’s navy one she drops her head, gently brushing her muzzle down the colt’s crest, a sudden lump forming in her throat. She can only thank the lords for what he says, and as she relaxes she starts to murmur soft nothings to the boy.
It doesn’t last long. ”You and your family may go.” A sharp jerk of her head and her attention is wholly focussed on Warrick while she presses Kryptic closer against her chest. Her heart aches with the realisation that time has come to give him back. She had taken him from the cave with only his wellbeing on her mind, but now, she’s selfish. Amore is reluctant to let Kryptic go when his mother calls, but there is nothing she can do.
She forces a smile on her lips and a last loving flick of his poll. ”Your momma calls for you.” She walks with him until they near the gathered group, never trailing further away from his side than necessary. ”Off you go, little one..” With a gentle nudge to his bum she sends him on his way, not joining the other Tephrans but neither going out of their ways.
When he looks back, their gazes meet. His words doesn’t reach her, but she does offer him a whinny. Stay strong, little one, and be well.
Amorette
Quand on n'a que l'amour.
