The last six months of Kaphiri's life had, arguably, been the very best of his life. Sure, before the lightning strike was an obvious contender, when he was happy in his family unit and had a bright, easy future ahead of him, one planned and supported and known. There had been a long time in which he would've traded anything to feel whole again, to stop feeling all eyes on him in that reverent way his family always offered, and it took a looooooooooooong time for him to realize.... he had always been whole. Yes, he was half blind, half deaf, but they were drawbacks he'd learned to live around. He'd been told so, so many things wouldn't be possible anymore - but now, he was learning to live not around those, but push past those assessments and prove he could run. He could hunt. He could take care of himself, of others, take pride in what he did.
He owed a lot of it to Amrei. The priest wasn't sure if she knew how much she'd helped him adjust just by being there, how confident she made him feel, but he was thankful for her more deeply than what she had done for him.

Kaphiri loved her. He loved her with a fierceness he hardly knew what to do with, he loved her as surely as thunder comes after lightning, he loved her with every fiber of his being. His life would be hollow without her now, and whatever it was she wanted through their lives, the ruby priest would secure for her if only she would say yes.

He had gathered together many a treasure in order to surprise Amrei; a freshly caught weasel and a few fish, some of the first spring blooms not limited to but including the yellow roses Fable had mentioned being Important in courtship, and not just the pelt of the goat they'd caught together on their second date, but also that of a fox he'd tracked down because he thought it would look stunning against her dark pelt and ginger highlights. He'd scraped and dried them, ran ragged bones through the hairs to make them lay nicely, and all around fashioned coats out of them. Kaphiri didn't know what else to do what shower the Dusk princess in gifts, and even if she said no to his proposal, he hoped she loved the surprise anyway and remembered him fondly. He'd twisted a bunch of ivy he'd found growing around it, weaving more flowers throughout and generally making a spectacle of the items framed within. After deciding there wasn't enough, he spent more time adding another pair of rabbits, even more flowers, eggs he'd stolen from a ground nest, and some shells he'd found along the river (were they still seashells if they didn't come from the sea?). To top it all off, he placed a large antler he'd gotten lucky enough to find, though he loathed that he couldn't find it's pair.

God above, could he still live here and look her in the eye every day if she broke things off? Was he moving too fast, the Beltane spirit infecting his good sense? Was this all.... too much, would it scare her off? She was a royal for fuck sake, he had to impress her properly!

He'd gone off and added some sweet-smelling herbs into the mix as well. Then, when he couldn't think of anything else to fetch or any other reason to stall....

He loosed a wavering, sweet note for Amrei and struggled to breathe past his nervousness afterwards, sitting next to the setup and waiting.

It hadn't been hard to see the effects of Kaphiri's love for her. Amrei had been glad for the man, in all fair honesty. He was a kind soul with nothing bug love and acceptance to give. She had been taken with the man, glad to have him by her side when she needed him most. But now that things were growing heavy and hot between them, her past was also rushing to catch up with her. Amrei had been on the outskirts of the territory, her amber gaze filled with a certain kind of soulful melancholy that was almost impossible to rid herself of. A guilt like no other dared to claw its way into her heart, attempting to remind her of the man she had slept with.

The man that she had spent so much time with beneath the desert moon. Amrei could still feel the weight of his body against hers, smell his deep and rustic scent on her pelt as he melded his essence into her own. Though he had left her all alone, he had promised that she could come find him when she was ready. At least it sounded like a promise. Or maybe she got it all wrong. Nothing was making sense any more. Now here the Dusk woman was, conflicted by a past that she wasn't sure she could entirely give up. But now she had a choice to make.

Give up the past for a seemingly better future? To live her life for a man that wanted her here and now? Or hold on to a ghost, a figment of her dark past that dared not show itself again? She could feel a wetness behind her eyes forming, though kept back the tears as best she could. There was no way she was going to let others see her like this, not ever. It was unbecoming of a royal Dusk after all.

The sound of Kaphiri's voice filled the air, her ears tugging away from her crown in response. It was now time to face the music, whether she liked it or not. Amrei got up to her feet, shook off the dreariness from her body and face, then took off after him. A howl of her own called for the red and gold wolf. Her song filled with sweet yet nervous tones. She had no idea what he had in store for her, but her heart told her that this was to be the crossroads of her heart. It was time to make a decision, and stick to it.

OOC: Amrei can be scented and seen coming his way!

Kaphiri's heart thundered against his ribcage, and he thought any moment it might burst from his chest. He'd gathered such an extravagant array of gifts for his sweetheart and where a moment ago he'd worried about there not being enough, he again wondered if it was too much. What if he scared her off? What if she didn't like the thought of wearing their prey atop her shoulders and hated the coats?

Still, he sat a little straighter when her scent drifted on the wind nearby; he couldn't see her for a while, but the moment he did, the ruby priest wiggled faintly with the fierceness of his tail wagging behind him.

He wanted to greet her, but suddenly, his voice stuck in his throat. His ears and face felt like they were on fire, and for just a second, he was glad she was in the distance. Get it together, idiot!

There he was, off in the distance. His cute little red form wiggling like a pup excited to see his parents. It was a very adorable moment, one that she would tuck away forever in her mind. Amrei kept on at a trot towards him, slowing down to a walk once she was close enough to speak. Hey there, handsome. What are you doing out here all by your lonesome? She gave him a kind smile and a playful wink, her tail wagging kingly behind her as she approached. Her eyes trailed down to something hidden behind him, wondering what on earth he had in store for her. Did you bring me something, my heart? Something was up today, and she was both excited and nervous to find out what it was. From the look of things, he had something special in store for them both.

SHE WAS RIGHT THERE SAY SOMETHING!

Kaphiri stared like a googly-eyed fool until Amrei was right in front of him and asking questions. She honed in on what was behind him quickly, which just so happened to be hidden behind him -- he'd thought she'd come from another direction. Still, it worked in his favor, and the auburn prince finally broke his silence as she broke the ice.

I've brought a great many things for you, he hummed, stepping forward to brush his muzzle along her cheek. She could probably see past him at that point, short as he was, but he pretended she couldn't anyway. Besides, it wasn't supposed to be a bribe or a price, but a show of his appreciation for her, something she'd have even if she kicked him to the curb right here and now.

Starting... with a question.

No, that sounded stupid! He cleared his throat, nervous.

What I mean -- I know it hasn't been terribly long, but, well, he stumbled out next, face increasingly warm. This was NOT how it was supposed to go!

I love you, he blurted dumbly, and he thought he might faint.

I love you, and I want to spend every day of the rest of our lives together, and I want to get married.

FUCK!

He stared up at her, mortified, eyes wide and sure she was about to laugh at him.

The fallen princess took him in her embrace, closing her eyes as she absorbed his scent and sweet humming heart beat against his chest. She loved how it beat for her, how his body was calling to her own. She dared not take a peek at the gift he had brought her. A surprise should stay a surprise after all. Ears perked up at the news that he had to bring. Standing back for a moment, the ginger kissed woman waited for his response. And it caught her so off guard, that at first, she didn't know what to say. Kaphiri....I love you too. More then the moon loves the stars. Amrei declared with every fiber of her being.

Of course I will marry you. Perhaps it truly was time to put the past behind her. Azrael wasn't coming back. This she knew nearly without a doubt. She could feel tears forming behind her eyes, though fought hard to hold them back. For she didn't wish Kaphiri to know of the hurt, only the love she had inside for him. I will do my best to honor you as your wife. As soon as we can, let's get married. And by the way, what do you think of pups? A smile formed across her lips, half joking yet well meaning. Her eyes began to clear up a bit more, hope calming her down as she readied herself for a brighter future.

She did not laugh.

What was it Kaphiri had done to deserve such a fate? Had his future always been set in the sky, a sign he'd missed that had ever hinted he would have a good life? Everything had seemed so bleak after the strike, and he'd come very close to giving up on life; had resigned himself to the fate of playing with stinky herbs and reading signs he could barely see from a God he loved so, so much but struggled to understand the reasoning of.
He'd spent that first year and a half of his life dedicating himself to Saeiqa. Perhaps what had seemed like a curse, then, had been exactly what was necessary to push him from the Herd, to bring him here. All along he'd been wondering if he'd cheated death or had been rewarded with a second chance untethered, but here, in this moment, he was sure his God had something grand ahead. His place simply hadn't been at home.

If only he could keep Amrei happy for the rest of her life, he would offer his very soul to the lightning deity when he came to collect him for the afterlife.

Amrei stepped forward to hug him close, and Kaphiri thought he might drop dead just from anxiety. Was she about to tell him no, that she wasn't ready, that he was moving too fast, that he hadn't listened? No. No, she loved him, she wanted to marry him. She was ready, she was happy, she wanted to move forward in life together.

The ruby priest's eyes welled with tears he didn't bother trying to hold back, his cheek fur dampening as joyful tears spilled. She wanted to be married as soon as possible, and already, Kaphiri couldn't wait to run and tell Fable -- to tell her it'd worked, that planning needed to start! A grin split his face from ear to ear, and for a moment, he was stunned into silence.
It might've turned to a bit of a gape when she brought up pups, but his tail curled excitedly over his back and the Stormhorse stepped (skipped) forward to close the small distance between them and shove his face into the side of her neck for another hug.

You'll be a perfect wife, and I hope I can be as good of a husband, he assured, nuzzling into her warmth, smiling like a fool, I always wanted a big family, but it's up to you, love. If you never wanted any, that's fine too.

There was always adoption, or just plain not having kids if they didn't want 'em. It wasn't like he was under pressure for an heir anymore; his life was his to grasp, now, and though he'd like a litter or two of his own whelps running around, it wasn't really necessary.

When he finally stepped away, he turned and motioned with a paw to the veritable treasure trove of items he'd gathered for her. He wished there had been something shiny to add in it -- gemstones were a rare find, though, and he wasn't traveling to a new land every day scouring for its hidden pleasures. Perhaps he'd make an effort to go to the mountains and search, if he had time before the wedding, or even after.

My shabka to you, he crooned, using his raised and motioning paw to wipe at his wet face, Though I wish I could've found things that were more special, my gifts to you won't ever end.

Amrei was thrilled that he was so happy! She grabbed him and continued to hug him till she could feel the tears running down his face. It dampened her coat just a smidge, but she could have cared less. You need not fret, my love. You will be the most wonderful husband a woman could ever ask for. She continued to hug into him, allowing him to embrace her fully as they celebrated their deep love for one another. As they parted, she was glad that he didn't run away from the idea of pups. I was born into a big family, so it seems only fitting. The more the merrier, right?

Amrei winked at him, a playful and loving gesture that signaled the potential nights to come. But she would at least wait until the wedding was over. Kaphiri took her over to the gifts, presenting them to her in such a gentlemanly fashion. Oh this is wonderful, darling! Thank you so much! The desert princess walked over to inspect them all for herself, gazing in awe at each gift. Then looked back to him with a bright and cheerful smile. The dark woman gently grabbed the pelt he had brought for her, swinging it with a gentle grace over her shoulders as best she could. This one in particular is absolutely lovely. Thank you, my dear.

Amrei had the big family he'd always dreamed of, and he was glad she didn't shy from one of their own, even though he was sure it came with a whole different set of problems. Still -- saying it, feeling it, discussing the future, it all suddenly felt so real. This was happening, Kaphiri was getting married, they were going to live a life together and have pups and find a nice den to settle down in.

His whole body felt hot, and wound up with energy he didn't know how to exert but to grin like a damned fool up at her.

And oh, how he beamed as she began looking through her gifts, immediately setting her sights on the goat pelt and slinging it around her. He was right -- the pale grey of the goats coarse hairs looked good against her dark coat, and he reached out to nuzzle her chin.

It's made of the goat we caught our second date, he cooed, tail wagging, Theres a fox pelt somewhere in this too -- I thought it might compliment the highlights in your fur. I... might've gone overboard with the gifts.

He smirked happily, however, silently saying he'd do it all over again - for this, for no reason, just for her existence. For the rest of their lives, he would shower her in gifts and affection galore, so it was better she get used to it now.

You deserve the best and the rest, frankly, he grinned with a wink as she looked to him, But this was all I could think of.

Or she would've gotten more.

A warm amber gaze swept over all of her gifts, then rested back on her husband-to-be. Oh you worry too much, my dear. The gifts are all very lovely. Thank you. Amrei moved closer to him, the goat pelt still draped over her shoulders. Then planted a soft kiss on his crown. You did wonderfully. Now I just have to think of some way to repay your kindness. You shouldn't get something for nothing of course.

She felt an intense heat spread all over her, a rush of emotions hitting her all at once as she relished in this moment. They would be able to start a family together, have a place to call their own. All things that once upon a time, Amrei never thought she would achieve. Soon memories of the one before began to vanish, fading with the last forgotten sands as her future came into full view. A future with Kaphiri.