our breath is weak & our bodies thin [scorch]

[Scorch]

WATCH THE FLAMES CLIMB HIGH INTO THE NIGHT

Even as his shoulders rise and fall in a massive shrug, Scorch begins thinking up more ways to elongate their time together. Ten years apart taught her that Hestoni stands on a pedestal in her life; without him, she shatters. He holds her together like the banks of a river, holding her firm and showing her the way. When she grows too strong and pushes him away, he gives. When he gives too much, she floods, and disaster strikes; but he always returns, soil firm, holding her together and showing her the way.

You’re right. He whispers.
I know. She blinks.

Sickly feelings swarm her abdomen, a tell-tale sign of the anxiety she has always kept secret. The thought of even catching sight of Noori or Kaida constricts her throat. They’ve been gone so long; so long, in fact, that they have both had children. Twins and triplets, in fact. Perhaps it’s in their genes. It’s been in their genes for generations, in fact; Scorch is a triplet, and even Katriel was a twin.

“I know,” She growls, dropping his gaze. She holds the defensive stance for a moment, but it drops suddenly. Her shoulders sag, her head droops, and her eyes swim. “Oh, how I know…” A whisper now. Without raising her gaze, Scorch steps into him, reuniting them, rebuilding the river banks. She folds into his body, melts into his strength.

And so they stand, eyes wide and minds wandering from child to child, imagining just where they are and how they fair.
And as they stand, Scorch prays to the Jungle; asks for a sacrifice of herself, and a raising of Hestoni. She begs to bend the rules, though never break them.
And while they stand, her immortality splits in two, half remaining and the other shifting to Hestoni. The magic is less than before, imperceptible, but there.

Blessedly there.

Scorch

Khaleesi of the Amazon Jungle