Today, yes, today. Today he would show Sohiijah the spot he had found for them, the quiet nook of their own--away from his family, independent, but not so far as to neglect his duties. Yes, today would be the day his world would change, he would shift his focus into a happier future rather than dwelling in the sadness of the past, the sadness of his losses.

No, he could not allow himself to think of this...could not allow himself to fall back into remembering Serendipity. He could have done nothing...he had done the best he could....and it was certain that she would return. He would focus his mind on better things....a new den, barricaded against the cold by thick earthen walls. Ivy and roses were growing naturally over the crest of the half-formed knoll, as though welcoming them to a new future. The grass was thick, ankle-deep, lush green and moist on his pads. And soon enough there would be Hiij's scent mingling with the sweet odors of wildflowers, painting the air with beauty Anzarah was lucky to be near.

Yes, he would look forward to that. He would always look forward to that.

He slows, approaching the lands where his nomadic beloved had stayed for so long, sniffing at the air. "Hiij?" Anzarah halts, the silver moon charm jangling against his golden chest. His head tilts as he is met with silence; the air carries nothing but the promise of eventual rain and his own sweat. A warm buzz of electricity rolls down his spine, the static setting his hackles on edge, and he stiffens. "Sohiijah?"

Optics roll upward, focusing upon the darkening sky, and tension sings through lean frame. It was too dark...far too dark, and the air was empty, singing of loss. His mind goes lax for a moment, thoughts swimming away, and his stomach does a slow roll. Before he is aware of movement, he is running, paws barely touching the earth, his frame crackling with blue electricity. The foreboding emptiness is gathering, seeming to form a void at a point of darkness just beyond a row of boulders.

He leaps, clears the rocky wall, and regains conscious thought as his lightning-entwined limbs hit the soil. He turns, his eyes locked upon the patch of darkness, and releases a low, pained cry.

"Hiij..."

Anzarah stands frozen there, fighting to stay on his paws, forever staring at the single void before him. It can't be. She was just fine yesterday... ....So now she can't be there, motionless, empty, ashen, used-up.

Somehow he finds the strength to approach, swallowing with difficulty; the scar about his throat is burning, and the collar seems to tighten like a noose around his sob-swollen throat.

The perfect, unmarred ivory of her body seemed duller, less vibrant--as though all light and life had escaped it. Her chest did not move, her heart did not beat.

He stands beside her without realizing he had moved, his auds folded back to his skull, his eyes widened; the pale sterling iris had spread, swallowing his pupil, leaving his eyes blank and glossy with tears unshed. He opens his maw to speak, but cannot; he can only lean forward, touch his muzzle to her cheek, nudge her.

She is cold.

A shudder rushed through his frame and he pulled back inches, the tear beginning its slow drip down his muzzle, his heart stopped and his brain unable to move. He lifted one golden forepaw, the current wrapping itself around his limb in contented tendrils, and rested it over her heart--focusing his energy, as he had done before. He could do it again....

No.

The understanding washed over him, and he released a low sob. She was gone for good now....
......She had never come back, not really, not totally....
...............Her family needed her with them..........
........................And she had joined them.
........................................ ..He was alone.

He lowered himself to her side, wrapping his paw about her inert shoulders, burying his maw into her silken fur. His electric aura circles around them, engulfs them both, and he sobs shamelessly into her shoulder.

"No..." He whispered, drawing his frame against hers, nuzzling her unresponsive cheek. "Not now...it was all going to be better...we were going to be together....Hiij, no please....I still need you...Hiij..."

No reply but the gentle roll of thunder in the distance. He draws himself slowly to his haunches, painfully pulling himself away. Gingerly, with amazing tenderness, he touches his paw to her cheek and strokes the silken fur for the last time.

"Sohiijah...I will love you as long as lightning flashes."

********

And now she lies, for all eternity, in a new den--barricaded against the cold by thick earthen walls, with ivy and roses littering the grassy arch. She will lie on grass that is always thick, and warm, and moist on approaching paws, and the breeze will carry the scent of wildflowers to mingle with her satiny fur.