Kowtow

"Barbarian..."

"I am more than a barbarian, Empress, I am Aren; a wolf."

She drew a finger across his chest, carving a deep chasm in his messy fur. "Rest easy, wolf." Her head settled by his own, and the sound of her breathing slowed as sleep took hold.

It was done, Aren noted. He would leave, very soon, supplied with provisions to make his journey home.

He would leave...

...

...but he would miss her.