Resting on the armchair beside Adelina, I pursed my lips as I pondered the words Lady D''Arcon left behind, each one wiggling around in my mind demanding attention.


    ''We had all hoped that you and Adelina would do the same, but s...''


    My parents had often spoken about this woman that taught them about the world and guided them to bing who they were today, and from the few times I had met her inside the Pce as a child, I was inclined to agree with their assessment of Lady D''Arcon.


    She was perfect in most ways, and her wisdom was amongst the soundest that the Empress listened to for counsel, so more often then not I found myself respecting, and almost revering her.


    Amongst all of the Empress'' wives, Lady D''Arcon was the first that I had met and the second that I respected most - that first woman was Lady Fenyras, and she made sure to beat that respect into my very soul - and I knew that her words were as precious as tinums.


    Each one was usuallyced with some deep understanding of the listener, giving them just enough to guide them while remaining entirely subjective.


    I could take them literally or only search for the intricacies in her lines, but either way, I woulde away with something to show for it.


    Now, I was entirely aware of my parents hopes alongside the Leonisa''s hopes; they hoped that Adelina and I would marry and unify our Families under one banner.


    It wasn''t even a real political move; the Leonisa''s were one of the three Families that guarded the Capital, earning the titles of ''Draconia''s'' for their loyalty.


    As for the Radhi n, we were a simple gathering of nomadic Orcs that had migrated from the Sultanate decades ago.


    Selling our des for coin wasn''t umon, and the Empress began to employ us as the Capital''s ''police'', using our intimidating appearances and raw prowess to help put a stop to most of the Capital''s violent crime, all while the three Draconia''s all guarded the Capital from outside attacks.


    It was through that that our parents met each other, and apparently they had be good friends after Adelina''s dad was punched by my Orc mom; it had been a drunken fight, and afterwards they be the best of friends.


    So, there was no political benefit to speak of; the Radhi n doesn''t function like a traditional Noble Family, as all the members have a say in the n''s direction and attitude, and everyone wants to be free spirited.


    The union between us was purely a desire to deepen the bonds between our parents, and they desperately wanted to be able to be tied together through Adelina''s marriage to me.


    They almost considered forcing us to marry, but that fleeting thought had been beaten out of everyone by Adelina''s mother and my Mom, so we were allowed free will in that regard.


    Anyways, Adelina and I knew of our parents wishes, and that was part of the reason she initiated our short time dating.


    Which... wasn''t that bad, admittedly.


    Sure, I was rather pent up the entire time, but I enjoyed the rxed dinners, the strolls around the shops, lounging in the parks...


    It was all rather soothingpared to the bloodshed and brutal fighting I was used to.


    However, her constant expectations for me to act like I was some damn soft bellied Noble courting her was annoying, and I had made that known to her many times, only to stop bringing it up as it led to arguments that simply never changed.


    But...


    Damnit if I didn''t miss her gentle smiles and softughter as cracked jokes, or the dry scent of hawthorn that lingered around her constantly.


    Letting out a sigh, I leaned forwards and scooped up her dainty pale hand, sping myrger, rougher one over it and observing the differences in size, before I allowed my gaze to drift up towards her face.


    The smooth, healthy pale tone of her face was only emphasized by her golden locks, which were no longer ited with sweat.


    Her fluffy brown ears twitched slightly as she turned towards me, her eyes fluttering open as she let out a yawn.


    My heartbeat quickened in my chest as her warm hand almost seared into my flesh, embarrassment seeping into me as I tried to think of various excuses, only to freeze as she muttered "Is that you, Rini..?"


    Rini..?


    My heart leapt to my throat at the familiar, yet almost forgotten pet name she had given me as children, and like before the phantom of the little cub ovepped with Adelina, her drowsy smile like a needle to my heart.


    Was this thest time I would hear that?


    Was this thest time I would see that?


    Gulping, I watched as she rubbed at her golden eyes with the back of her free hand, before she yawned again,nguidlyying on the bed, the sheets stirring as her tail began to move.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Rini?"


    Coughing gently, I finally spoke, saying "I-I''m here, Adelina..."


    My voice must have been too loud, as the Lioness flinched as she pouted, squeezing her hand in mine as she muttered "Softer, Rini... still tired..."


    Shaking my head at the familiar line, I sighed as I whispered "I''m here, Adelina.", which made her smile innocently at me, her golden eyes hazy as she snuggled against the pillow.


    Letting out a tired ''Mmm...'', the Lioness stretched out before muttering "Rini, I''m going to sleep again... stay with me, please?"


    Seeing her pleading golden eyes, I felt my heart twinge at that sight as I nodded stiffly, wondering if I was being tortured for my misdeeds.


    As she closed her eyes again, I had the fleeting thought that this... might be thest time she ever looked at me like that, and I wondered if that ''fragment'' Lady D''Arcon mentioned might be locked away for good when she restedpletely.


    That thought hurt more than any de or arrow.


    ~~~


    Kat Pov, Present


    I had continued to lug my two ice boxes behind me as I traveled North, and I had made great progress; the stone pirs were gone now, and in their ces was an actual forest, the pine trees emitting a soothing scent into the air as I walked.


    The sudden shift from an almost unrealistic, fantastical wondend to a simple pine forest was refreshing, and I could only begin to hope that this meant I was outside of the Labyrinthian.


    Another day passed, and I spent it all alone again, my fingers keeping mepany as I staved off the double edged sword that was [Nymphomania], all while I slowly dwindled my supply of Arctic Cor meat.


    Continuing Northwards, I shuffled my way through the calf deep snow and stuck to the ck te mountains to my left, walking along the edge of them as I traveled towards my home.


    Memories of my three lovers back home filtered through my head, bothforting and grating.


    They were small things too; the way Leone stuck her tongue out cutely as she concentrated on whatever arcane study she was pursuing, the way sweat clung to Anput''s muscr frame as she hammered away at her anvil, and the serene sight of Jahi lounging on the couch with a book in hand.


    Those were the memories that clouded my mind as I walked, small, insignificant things that, in the moment I had witnessed them, were nothing special, but now?


    Now, they meant the world to me.


    I wanted to see them again, to observe the women I loved so dearly up close again, tomit their smallest ticks and most insignificant quirks to memory, so that I could always know what they were thinking.


    To always have them on my mind.


    Of course, my mind filtered to other things as well, things that didn''t really help my loneliness whatsoever.


    The way Jahi pinned me under her as she demanded everything from my body, uncaring of my feelings in the moment as she ravished me, before doing aplete turn around as she held me close and whispered sweet nothings into my ears.


    The helpless, but aroused gleam in Leone''s eyes as I pushed her down and gave her the ride of her life, clinging desperately to her body as we made love in a sweaty tangle of limbs and hair.


    The utterly primal mating that Anput put me through, the way her scent washed over me and intoxicated me as she reverted us both to our most basic forms.


    Each one was unique, each one provided something the others couldn''t provide to me, just like I provided for them as well.


    My status might say I wasn''t [Aroused] at all, but this tortuous trek alone was getting to me; the desire for another persons warmth was deeply ingrained into my heart, and it was making its demands known to me.


    Of course, I knew that I would need to bottle everything up for now, to keep myself faithful to my true loves in this world, and to ignore my body''s desperate desires to douse my lust.


    Like that, another day passed, and I began my trek anew, the forest thinning out a little, while the animals grew less and less frequent.


    Noticing that change, I had a small kindle of hope re inside my heart as I reached the forests edge, where I was greeted with the sight of a rolling tundra, but...


    It wasn''t empty; instead, thisrge expanse of snow fields were upied by...