The weather was fierce. Though no lightning streaked across the sky, the pounding of the rains thrummed heavily against his eardrums, the sodden skies far too difficult to take to the air. He had not seen Cass for a few hours, and as always began to wonder where she would go on such a day. The Throat held little shelter, small copses of trees, but otherwise the open lands greedily drank the rain, funnelling it into the river that was moving swiftly today. The humidity was high, Azzuen’s eyes, electric blue today, peered about in the dreary weather, hoping to seek his mate and ensure her safety. It did not take him long to assess that she was not within the Throat.

Concern filled him, anticipation for their child’s arrival made him quiver with excitement – excitement fuelled by both happiness and an edge of fear. Sometimes things did not always go right during births, but his mother had survived the birthing of himself and his brother, and so too will Cass survive the birthing of our child. The thought resonated through his cranium, though he was still worried about her, he knew she would be OK. She has to be OK. He didn’t know what he would do with himself should she ever leave him. He would follow her until their dying days.

But today was not a dying day – no, today was filled with life. He walked the lands, trying to follow a scent trail he recognised as hers before the waters washed it away. As his strides lengthened into a speedy walk, he could feel the heartbeat of the lands around him, urging him onwards. There was something about today – and suddenly, he knew. Today was the day. Inspiration struck him then, and he moved swiftly now, his sure feet carrying him carefully across the slippery lands, towards where the land met the sea, knowing instinctively where his beloved would be. Breathes came faster now, an urgency that wasn’t there before shook his entire bodice.

As his obsidian form came upon the sandy dunes, he heard her call, he heard the insistence within it. Deep, reverberating baritones answered her as he strode forth, folding his wings out only enough to help propel him along – he wasn’t foolish enough to attempt to fly in such unpredictable weather. As fast as he dared to he approached her, throwing quick glances here and there to ensure no harm was befalling her other than the uncomfortable arrival of their dearest child. Happiness overwhelmed him, he smiled as he came upon her, viewing her beautiful form from the front so as to not get in the way of her thrashing wings or legs.

Lowering his handsome façade down to her own, he wuffled quietly, lipping at her wet forelock affectionately with his velveteen lips, before rubbing his muzzle along her nape in a loving and reassuring gesture. “I’m here my love, always I am here.” He spoke now, warm calming tones, knowing not what else he could do. How strong she was, to carry their child for so long, never once complaining but instead relishing in the cycle, and here now, she longed for him to be by her side, and he always by hers. Whickering encouragingly, he awaited what would come with the intensity a warrior might watch an unknown situation unfolding.