"Oh, but my tongue is a weapon."

Something about him had changed since that late night spent at the Creek with Eulalie. A fire had ignited in his breast, a passion, a confidence. The gentle-hearted warrior’s words resonated with him even after they had parted ways that following morning, and the Dawn King’s steps were more confident, more poised, more prepared. She believed in him. Ulric, Ipomoea, so many others… They all had faith that he could do what needed to be done, and it would be so.

While not meant for Kingship, it was his burden to bear, and Somnus had every intention on wearing it proudly. After all, he could not lead by standing still. It was ironic that after all this time, he was finally following his own advice. The time to finally do so could not have been more pressing than now. He just hoped that his self-confidence could last.

Stalking the corridors of the citadel, Somnus and Alba moved as one. The barn owl fluttered on ahead of the dunalino, gliding almost lazily through the hallways and avoiding those that they passed with an almost practiced ease. She was a graceful creature when she wasn’t feeling particularly lazy, which much to Somnus’ chagrin, was quite often. Still, the barn owl was in a happy mood, and that mood brightened even more when she wheeled about a corner and spotted Eulalie at the double-doors of the citadel.

’It’s Eulalie! Somnus, hurry up, you lazy git!’ She did not need to see Somnus’ eye roll in response to her teasing, for Alba could just as easily feel it. The barn owl let out a few happy little pops! as she drifted through the air with a mighty beat of her wings and took up a perch upon a nearby window sill. She preened for a moment before turning beady black eyes upon the ivory and golden warrior, so very pleased for her arrival. If only she could communicate to Eulalie the same way she could with Somnus…

Rounding the corner only moments later, Somnus’ expression softened as he regarded the woman who stood by the entrance. His chest grew warm as he ventured closer, his expression softening. Greeting the passing servant with a nod and a smile as she ducked out of the way, the Dawn King’s verdant eyes drifted to take root upon Eulalie’s beautiful frame. Gods, but she was slowly working a little niche into that deep part of his heart… “Eulalie,” he murmured, not even bothering to hide the fondness that coated the sound of her name, “It’s wonderful to see you, darling. Are you well?”

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tag: @Eulalie

"Oh, but my tongue is a weapon."

Hearing that she was doing well put Somnus’ heart at ease. His warm, affectionate smile remained, allowing the distance to lessen between them as they came to stand almost intimately close. What they were exactly, he still did not truly know. Typically the golden sovereign loathed any form of ambiguity, irritated by the possible unknown, and yet… With Eulalie, things were easy. He did not need to know all or see all around her, for the world simply fell into its perfectly slotted place. A perfectionist’s dream, she was, and Somnus was a perfectionist extraordinaire.

Silence settled around them, gentle and soothing about his shoulders. Bodies passed and yet he paid them no mind, for his eyes were lost in her warm gaze. Still, the silence did not last long, for Eulalie had come bearing news that he could not possibly have fathomed. Straight and to the point, delaying and barring nothing, the words spilled from pale lips and Somnus’ verdant green eyes widened in surprise.

’I’m pregnant.’

The silence around them shifted, taking on an uncertain, cautious edge. Pregnant? For a blasphemous moment the Dawn King could not help but think that perhaps Eulalie was joking, but… No, no. The warrior’s expression, fierce as a battlefield, told no lie. She was telling the truth. Pregnant? Their passionate night spent on the shore of the Amare Creek came to mind, but just as quickly it was gone as he focused on the news revealed to him. He knew that the child must be his… But what would happen now?

"I-I beg your pardon?

Surprise and fear trickled through his veins and settled as a heavy weight in his chest. Somnus was not a man for surprises, and this! Oh, but this was far more than just an unexpected surprise! Blindsided, gob smacked, the dunalino did not know how in the world to react, other than attempt to speak for a few moments of surely inane looking foolishness. Mouth parting, he attempted to find the words, only for his lips to draw tight as they escaped him. What could he say? What was he supposed to say? What did Eulalie think of this discovery? Did she loathe him?

Alba let out a sound of irritation on Somnus’ behalf, her words scathing in his muddled head. ’Focus, you git!’ Focus. Focus, right.

Mouth closing, Somnus took a moment to ground himself before inhaling deeply. He did his best to relax, letting his eyes glance to the gold and ivory woman’s sides, still so lithe and untouched by the rotund shape of pregnancy, before returning to her chocolate eyes. “Eulalie…” What did she want from him? He would not abandon her. This was the result of a night born of stress-induced passion, and yet… Yet he felt far more for her than he should have. This happened because the two of them, yet Somnus had no intention on forcing her to raise this foal alone. He would never.

“… Whatever you need from me, whatever this child needs from me, I will fight until my last breath to provide. I will not let you do this alone.” That was the noble thing to do, right? And… Well, maybe Somnus thought the idea positively thrilling, now that the surprising was waning. Unexpected? Very. Exciting? Also very. A father… Goodness, he was to be a father. What would Ulric say? Or Po?

Hesitantly, Somnus went on, still unsure as to where they stood. “Eulalie… I need to know. Are you alright with this?”

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tag: @Eulalie