the taigan
He listened carefully to Aten’s response, glad to hear he’d enjoyed his travels and learned so much. His main focus now was on the answer to his last question, though, blue eyes leveled on him. But Aten hadn’t had the opportunity to speak to Nayl, nor could he find her after the fight though he’d tried to connect with the people there. Ruan nodded, taking in his reply without expression. He wasn’t displeased, only silent.The gold stallion offered to revisit Nerine after they checked on their home, and Ruan smiled. ”We’ll see. Let’s find them and check on home first.” His heart was saying something different, but he didn’t speak his thoughts on it as they both turned to complete their tasks.
He didn’t make it very far though before the ground shook and his magic ignited, instantly expanding within him and brightening his eyes. He cried out from the sudden force of it then grit his teeth and tried to contain it, knew what it was like to have it loose and chaotic, but this didn’t feel like that time when he’d been broken in a way. This time felt stronger, more meaningful, a deep well purposefully unleashed. A call to action. A battlecry.
The familiar armor of ice tried to form around him, but he halted it, held it inside him where it would remain until properly required. Even still, an involuntary flare shot to the sky, swirling and flaking ice particles into the air and down. A different sort of call to action. Come to me. The reflection glittered in his eyes as he stared at it, stern brows knit tightly together.
He felt them settle beside him, was aware who it was before she stood there, and bent to pull the boy - his exact miniature - into a brief hug, staring down at him and wishing - almost wishing - But, no. Not truly his boy, though he looked exactly as Ruan had but hours before. Not his, but protected by Ruan’s color, his scent. His gaze returned to the sky in silence.
”I assume you felt that?” she asked quietly, and he ignored her, because she already knew the answer. She continued, not waiting for a response anyway. ”It’s a wall, fairly impenetrable, very magical. I know it isn’t yours or we would have had so much more fun.” He let the banter pass without comment this time, deeply considering the information she gave, his hard stare flickering, softening, as her lips swept along his neck and beneath his hair. She was distracted by the boy and his skin twitched where she’d touched.
A wall. The Taiga never had a wall. Theoretically, he could have surrounded its borders with his own magic, but why the hell would he? The Taigans turn away anyone that didn’t suit their home, couldn’t accept and join the lifestyle of shape-shifters and wild souls, loyal hearts. What the hell purpose did a wall serve but to act as a cage for those within? Those meant to be free. And his magic pressed against him again, stretched and searched for escape.
”I think you have guests, Ruan.” He took a deep breath and nodded. It seemed so, and his ice was rushing wildly and pushing to be released in Taiga’s defense. ”Stay with mommy and daddy, darling Rian.” Ruan swallowed hard at that, breathed through it. Not his boy. His boy was gone. No more children. Not his boy. Only kept safe by claiming him, and he would. Until it was time he return to his true family.
She sighed heavily, reaching to touch his neck again and unwittingly attracting his ice to the contact, chilling his skin drastically. ”Shall we go say hello?” He nodded again, still suppressing his raging power as he began to lead them to the heart of the Taiga, his steps steady and determined. Confident and sure in his natural Dominance.
”Something like that.”
And the ground began to shake.
