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They were strangers to her, yet the love they held for each other was so beautiful, adoring, and... pure, that she wanted – all the way down to her own flame soul – to preserve it.

The feeling deepened when Delora brought Reia in for a comforting hug. It was obvious the blonde-haired woman was trying her hardest to fight back tears – Delora already sprouting many. Even Magnar had come forward to wrap his arm around his bride’s side, while placing his large hand on Reia’s slim shoulder.

He cared for her, was comforting her, even though she wasn’t his female.

Mayumi was kneeling on the lounge now with her arms wrapped around Faunus’ shoulders from behind, with her face buried into the side of his neck. He still had his feline skull in his hands, like he couldn’t bear to lift it under the weight of the truth that had just been placed on him. He knew he needed to stay behind for their children and let Mayumi face this battle without him.

Not even Emerie could see another way out of this, and it didn’t even seem as though it would work. This would be an attempt, nothing more.

If they succeeded, they succeeded, but they were all so desperate for a solution that everyone was willing to trysomething.Even if that something meant pain for the ones they loved dearly, and for themselves.

Lying on their sides, Ingram held Emerie in his arms while a multitude of questions bombarded his mind.

After Orpheus’ abrupt exit, Mayumi had suggested they leave the conversation for the time being and return to their home once all the females were finished eating. Emerie and Ingram had followed.

He now understood why they were afraid.

Even in their travel between the homes, there was a torrent of Demons waiting. Both he and Faunus had needed to sprint at their fastest speeds in their monstrous forms, just to avoid being harmed. They had been carrying humans, and the Demons had sought to attack and separate them.

Mayumi, who could escape by turning into a Ghost, faced little issue with this. Emerie, on the other hand... Faunus and Mayumi had taken a place at their side to help protect the vulnerable female.

Then, when they arrived, Faunus shifted back to his more humanoid form, and picked up Mayumi in his arms. He nodded his skull towards a tent some distance away from their home. Mayumi wanted to personally show them inside, but Faunus had stolen his bride away with orbs still blue like he couldn’t shake his sadness and fear.

After Emerie changed into something called asleep gown, kicking him out in the process, she’d laid down. Ingram had been quick to curl around her small form as she huddled on a sleeping bag and pillow, and had a blanket around her. She’d put up no fight, and instead curled into him.

He liked that she was small.

Her knees were able to lock in against his groin and abdomen, while his own sheltered her from beneath. With her head on his elbow, her arms cupped between them, she blinked her orange lashes with alertness.

“I feel really bad for upsetting them all,” Emerie grumbled before her bottom lip pouted forward.

Since she’d untied her hair so she could comfortably sleep, he was given the freedom to brush his claws through the long, silky strands.

He looked around as he answered her, noting the lack of furniture other than their sleeping arrangements and a tree stump Emerie had already begun using as a table.

“Why?” he asked. “These are their own choices.”

He was thankful she was lying on his elbow so he could easily see her features pucker up at him.

“Not really. None of the Duskwalkers are happy about the girls going to battle without them, and Reia is threatening to take Orpheus’ choice away.” The corners of her eyes crinkled. “I think I feel bad for her the most. You can tell she really wants his blessing, but she also wants to do this for them, for all of them.”

“I could smell their fear,” he admitted.

It was strange, though. Yes, all the females’ fear had made his gut churn with hunger, but it was the other Mavka’s fear that overshadowed it. Their fear did not make him hunger, twisting his stomach instead.

He continued to brush Emerie’s hair, finding the action soothing.

“But the females are right. This will make the world safer for all of them. I will be by their side.”

“So will I, but that doesn’t really make a difference. I don’t really have anything left to lose in my life, but they do.”

Her words pinched at his chest, and he lifted his skull so he could use his beak to hide his orb change. He hoped the blue glow of them wasn’t visible against the tent’s rough floor or walls.

I... do not want her to come to harm.Somewhere along the way, he’d begun to care for Emerie. He hadn’t thought it would be possible for him to truly care for anyone besides his kindred.

I also do not want the other Mavka and their brides to come to harm.Their bonds seemed just as deep as the one he’d shared with Aleron, but totally different.

Perhaps it was because his heart was born already full of Aleron that he’d never needed anyone else. He didn’t know if he was allowed to have a deep bond with someone outside of his kindred.