He felt it in him that he was going to snap; and, in his mind, he had aimed, too. Just a snap of his teeth near her the left side of face. His mother had taught him that and, in that moment, he had mimicked her exactly. His lips did not seal and the words still would not come. He would make up for this little squabble later, but he believed that she should have listened. He had picked up on the danger before it even emerged and she had thrown herself right in front of it. This was what Niles had been bred for, built for. He was the Queensguard, a "Paladin" in training (and this title had been bestowed upon him by his father as to distinguish him from Sven, his "Prince" of a nephew), meant to protect a reigning matriarch or leading lady. Within Willow Ridge he had been taught that women, no matter how hasty or headstrong their ways, were meant to be looked after. They had to be strong, mentally prepared, intuitive and loyal. If it was not his mother he was meant to look after, it was his sisters; then, when
Isolde had died, so did his fortitude.
He should have prevented it. He had been close to Isolde for a reason and that was it... most especially since his father had gone blind. He had failed his sisters and had failed his mother, and now he had almost lost his mate from some impulsive decisions (both his and hers).
"Fine," she had said and Niles snorted as he brought his lips back over his teeth.
He watched as she withdrew from his space, walking away as steadily as she could manage. His eyes stared at her back until the aspens stole her away from view. When she was gone, he sniffed, wiping his nose as best as he could with the back of his wrist. There were no more thoughts to be had about what had just happened moments ago nor was there anything left to say or do. He needed the alone time - time away from her - to think, to tumble the scenario in his head over and over until he discovered what should have been the best course of action.
What if it had been Isolde? Or Ravenna? Or his mother? What if he had defended Castel or removed her from the scene? Could he have removed her by force? There were too many questions and he was hurting and he was suddenly too tired for much else.
For good measure he rubbed his bloodied side against the trunk of a bone-white tree, careful to press his paw pads against it also as to declare that this part of the forest had been claimed (or visited recently) by him - and, the rest of the pack he was affiliated with. The blood would remain for a few days yet until it dried or was washed away but, too, would serve as a warning. Heaving a sigh, he slowly walked back to the base of his aspen and curled up in the tightest ball he could manage and let the world simply pass him by - battle wounds, mud, musk, and all.
(
Fade.)
we can say goodbye, just head home, but if we're going to be alone
Chimera is currently traveling with Niles and may hop into this IC thread!