10-05-2015, 06:20 PM
la jeune fille marquée
Gryffen names him with an affectionate touch on the mare's shoulder. Unconsciously she leans into it, a small smile flitting across her features. All through the winter months he has not abused her, nor forced his company upon her. And yet she found herself drawn to him, curiously. They share company. They do not speak of the first child, the one stolen away from the white wolf. Theirs is a tentative peace, perhaps edging towards the precipice of more.
"Yes, of course that's all right." Minette murmurs. The name, Leck, feels strange and foreign to her ears. It is different from the lyrical consonants of her home, but she considers it a concession in she and Gryffen's new relationship. They are both taking steps.
Minette cannot help the deep love she feels for the boy even as a seed of wariness buries itself in her heart. She feels a pang of guilt at her caution. His ears fly backwards and he snarls, the sight incongruous with his young age.
"Hush, little one. Come, nurse." Using soft words, Minette tries to gently, unsuccessfully, encourage the boy to eat. He is stubborn and furious and the pale gray mare is surprised. Sette was quiet, curious and full of eagerness. Leck burns with an energy that is closer to rage. She feels a chill, glancing from Gryffen to Leck, who is the white stallion's miniature.
Minette shakes her head. I'm being ridiculous, and tired, she thinks dismissively. She decides to give the boy some space, knowing he will approach when the pain in his stomach becomes too much. Instinct will kick on if the boy is to survive. She winces at the swelling of milk, and hopes he does not remain resistant for long.
"I am glad he is a boy, for your sake. I know you wanted a son." Minette says, and means it. She cannot lie, even after all she has been through. Perhaps even more so, her emotions have been refined by fire and each is clearly written in her dark eyes. They are filled with relief and peace. What is more startling is the emotions that are missing from her gaze; fear, pain and exhaustion.
"Leck." Minette speaks the boy's name for the first time. "It's all right, now. This is your father, and I am your maman."
The pale gray mare lets herself begin to believe that they could be a broken family remade.
"Yes, of course that's all right." Minette murmurs. The name, Leck, feels strange and foreign to her ears. It is different from the lyrical consonants of her home, but she considers it a concession in she and Gryffen's new relationship. They are both taking steps.
Minette cannot help the deep love she feels for the boy even as a seed of wariness buries itself in her heart. She feels a pang of guilt at her caution. His ears fly backwards and he snarls, the sight incongruous with his young age.
"Hush, little one. Come, nurse." Using soft words, Minette tries to gently, unsuccessfully, encourage the boy to eat. He is stubborn and furious and the pale gray mare is surprised. Sette was quiet, curious and full of eagerness. Leck burns with an energy that is closer to rage. She feels a chill, glancing from Gryffen to Leck, who is the white stallion's miniature.
Minette shakes her head. I'm being ridiculous, and tired, she thinks dismissively. She decides to give the boy some space, knowing he will approach when the pain in his stomach becomes too much. Instinct will kick on if the boy is to survive. She winces at the swelling of milk, and hopes he does not remain resistant for long.
"I am glad he is a boy, for your sake. I know you wanted a son." Minette says, and means it. She cannot lie, even after all she has been through. Perhaps even more so, her emotions have been refined by fire and each is clearly written in her dark eyes. They are filled with relief and peace. What is more startling is the emotions that are missing from her gaze; fear, pain and exhaustion.
"Leck." Minette speaks the boy's name for the first time. "It's all right, now. This is your father, and I am your maman."
The pale gray mare lets herself begin to believe that they could be a broken family remade.