Brighter Times

To Dakran's dismay, sleep hadn't been as restful as he'd hoped it would be. With Maya curled up in his arms, her legs tangled with his. Dakran opened his eyes and glanced out the window. It was still dark outside, with the thinning clouds they were now able to tell whether it was day or night. Brighter times were coming their way, in more ways than one. His gaze fell on Maya half splayed on him, her hand on his neck, face buried in the crook of his neck, softly breathing. She was just as tired as he was. He couldn't have imagined what she'd gone through in the time he'd been gone, but he was determined to erase the ugly memories. And things kept piling up one after another. The bigger the family, the bigger the problems were. He'd kept what happened to Edya to himself until he would hear from Pelham.

Dakran let out a heavy sigh, feeling small when faced with everything that was thrown at them. Maya squirmed in his arms, grumbling, half asleep.

" It's early. You should go back to sleep." Dakran kissed her hair, rubbing his thumb on her back as Maya raised her head to look at him, rubbing her eyes to chase away the sleep, and smiled at him.

Maya licked her lips " I'm thirsty, and I need to pee." she grumbled resting on her elbow as Dakran pushed himself on his elbows and looked around the room.

" Do you want me to come with you?" Dakran asked as he pushed himself to sit on the bed. Maya climbed off the bed, walked to the table, and poured herself a glass of water.

" No" Maya poured another glass of water and returned to the bed offering it to him.

It was a simple, warm, gesture, but he was happy that she'd thought of him " Thank you" Dakran took the glass of water, and kissed the back of her hand, to show his gratitude towards her.

Maya nodded, turned around, and walked out of the room, to the privy. Dakran gulped the glass of water and placed it on the nightstand next to the book on the old religion. Lazily pushing himself off the bed, to put some more wood on the dying fire, while little Dak raised his head, ears perked up, at his presence. Dakran plopped himself on the floor next to the cub, in front of the fire. His thoughts drifted to Haren, and his nefarious behaviour towards everyone around him, and couldn't help but blame himself. His leniency led to this outcome. It was his responsibility as the oldest to guide him, but he'd failed. Now Maya had been on the receiving end precisely because of it. When Maya walked in, Dakran took a deep breath to still his wayward thoughts; and looked over his shoulder to the beauty that would become his wife, to ground himself.

Maya smiled making her way to him, in spite of everything, she still managed to smile and bring him the light he desperately needed. He wondered how she had enough strength to smile after all she had been through. Maya lowered herself to her heels, scratched little Dak's head, and gave him a quick kiss.

" Sit with me. Sleep seems to evade me." Dakran stretched his hand and opened his legs for her to take the spot between them.

Maya sighed " Me too. I sleep very well when you're around, but not tonight. What troubles you?" Maya sat between his legs and leaned back into his chest while Dakran folded his arms around her and kissed her hair.

" I'd rather stop thinking about it for now. Maybe some other time. I think the mother is looking for him. I got attacked on my way to the Southlands. You?" Dakran changed the subject as Maya looked at the cub, and then at him a little contritely.

" What happened? I'm a little nervous." Maya looked at the cub again intertwining her fingers with his and squeezing.

" I think she smelled him on me and ran away. I would like to take him outside the wall tomorrow to see if she is around here. You shouldn't be nervous. It will be alright." Dakran tone was a little repentant, as he cocked his head to the side to gather her reaction to his thoughts.

Silence stretched between them as tears pooled in her eyes as she stared at the little cub curled in front of the fire. It was to be expected that she would be reluctant to let him go but he had to try if the mother was looking for the cub. It was for the best to return him to its own kind.

Maya acquiesced after a few moments of silence, as a tear streaked her cheek and stretched to pet the cub; the volsa trilled, pushing his head into her hand asking for more. Maya giggled, turned around to her side buried her face into his chest, and let out a heavy sigh.

Although it was his idea to let the cub go, he felt grateful to the cub that had been her companion in her time of solitude. Dakran squeezed her shoulder, and Maya looked up at him drying one last tear " It's for the best." she grumbled and craned her neck to peck his lips.

Dakran hummed, and hugged her to his chest " I'm not certain if the mother is around, but he knows, he doesn't belong here." Dakran rubbed her arm trying to soothe her as Maya nodded in agreement to his words. If the mother had left, Little Dak would return. Then, he would be more than happy to let the cub stay but until then, they had to try and see if the mother was lurking around Ironstone.

" We should try, and get some more sleep, before dawn breaks." Dakran tightened his grip on her, pushed himself off the floor with Maya in tow and made his way to the bed.

Dakran settled in the bed curling his arms around Maya and gave her one last kiss on the cheek before putting his head down on the pillow. Maya snuggled closer to him wrapping one arm around his back as silence settled between them once more, enveloping her in his warm embrace.