This was the first the Shaman had exited her house since Lucifer had left her that note. He'd been on her porch, and she hadn't known it. Hadn't known her beloved knew how to write. She knew, too late, that she had fallen for him again, and his exiting her life hurt. She understood that he wanted to find his father, it just didn't stp the hurt. She'd thought they could make a go at it again, but obviously she was wrong.
She approached the bonfire slowly, a half smile on her face. She'd noticed Iskata's pregnancy at the hunt, but hadn't really questioned her about it. She sat down next to the Matriarch, her eyes travelling over her belly. She smiled softly. "Congratulations, Iskata." It made the mother wistful, thinking of the times when Iskata and Phoenix had been mates, back before the old lands had burned. It had been so long ago, but here they were rising from the ashes of their past. She'd once been pained that Iskata had been carrying Phoenix's pups. Now she was pained that these weren't Phoenix's pups. But at least her friend had moved on. That was good.
Deuce wondered if she would ever really move on. Would she forever carry a torch for Lucifer? She couldn't say, really. She'd hated him, then loved him, then hated again. Now she was at a bitter-sweet moment where she loved him and missed him, and knew she'd done wrong. If only she could tell him that. Her gaze returned to the fire, a wistful look flickering deep in her eyes, reflecting the light of the fire. What she wanted would burn her too. She couldn't afford that.
