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Amaranth · 3/16/2026, 12:31 AM

Skill:

[Image: dc4m3i2-87e99cba-7abd-4524-9974-79197204...ovRCBg463c]

It happened quickly.

The smoke went straight to her head, the intoxicating aroma of the pink flame rattling her heart in a serendipitous melody. Amaranth's heart sang ... her body flying on the fumes, uplifted in such a way that it was nearly incomprehensible. She felt ... unlike herself. She felt ...

... she felt.

And it felt good.

You do not need to apologize to me, the wraith would whisper, nearly begging. You ... saved me. You continue to save me. The truth poured from her lips, honey-laced with the truth of a soul that had been tortured for so long. A soul saved in the presence of an angel — her angel. And Amaranth would drift closer, pushing the boundaries of their skin-to-skin contact as her eyes dilated.

"That sounds wonderful." And it did. It was the most wonderful thing Amaranth could think of ... disappearing from this realm of reality and relapsing into a reality all their own. Amaranth was used to creating her own timelines ... and she'd do it again. She would do it over and over if it meant spending an eternity with Valeska.

Her mind buzzed, her eyes dilating further.

"What of the others?"

The others? Oh, of course. Selfish, selfish Amaranth. The wratih would grow silent, shriveling slightly as she cowered into Valeska's warm ruff. Amaranth's mind sought out answers, ones that would seem less selfish than the way she felt. Her silence encapsulated them, but only for a moment ... because Valeska would soon free them both of their rigid chains.

"We could... step down."

What an idea. And the woman need not elaborate, for Valeska would find purchase in the idea herself. Amaranth would simply listen, her mind and ears an open sieve for the ideas that Valeska's own imagination would incorporate.

"It would give us freedom and the peace we crave."

Our children are more than capable, Amaranth would offer in response, pulling her head back to make eye contact with Valeska. It came out ... too quickly ... and her mind would parse the available children they had left. Narcissa and Violet were gone. Sreda and Alder were in Northfall. Dimitri had taken up the reins in Avon. That left ... well ... Aelia, Amaris, and ... Amaya.

Very capable, yes, each and every one of them.

Was it so wrong to want Valeska all for herself?
Just this once?

Amaranth would notice the distance that Valeska put between them ... the silent hesitation heavy and notable. Amaranth would take her muzzle, brushing it gently against Valeska's chin. Perhaps it is just a fantasy, she would whisper, her mouth making its way toward Valeska's inner ear. But what else would happen next? Amaranth and Valeska's story would continue on, likely forever. Their story was cyclical. But what about Elysium?

What about their family?

It is time, don't you think? The golden woman would sigh, exhaling her breath into Valeska's ear ... and then inhaling that spicy scent of winter. She was drawn away from reality, lingering in the interum that now existed between them. She craved their closeness, and yet she feared driving Valeska away with her insane suggestions.

Welcome Back!

Greetings Stranger!

Howling River

the golden wraith