His hands smoothed Sasha’s hair as she slept.  After tucking her into the guest bed, which he had prepared ages ago for any family that might visit, she looked even smaller than she had in his arms before.  He couldn't help but marvel at just how much she looked like her mother.  Malora...  How he longed to see her again.  The years they had spent together growing up had been sweet.  He remembered how she did her hair as a child and her love of kittens.  Had they not been so closely related, he would have taken her as his wife.  

Sasha stirred in her sleep and he pet her brow as he used to with his own son when he had been fussy all those years ago.  It worked like a charm.  As the early light of dawn began to grow in the sky, she fell into a deep sleep that only youth provides.  Confident that she was comfortable, he rose from the bed and tended to the curtains as sunlight would spoil her sleep.  He knew his home would never be like the palace she had grown up in, but it still had the basics covered.  

Once the curtains were shut, he went to retrieve the leather satchel and letter.  No doubt whatever Malora had to say would prove to be enlightening.  Quietly leaving the room, he made his way to his own chambers.  His wife was due back from her sister's tomorrow evening so there was still time to prepare for whatever this was.  His cousin had never been one to work in half-truths or awkward attempts.  Though he had sworn his loyalty and service to her, he had never truly imagined she would call him to fulfill the oath.

Drawing the curtains back ever so slightly, he let in a sliver of light before moving to his bed to read over the letter in its entirety.  The old wood bed frame creaked as it took on his familiar weight.  Turning the letter over in his hands a moment, he brought it up to his nose and inhaled deeply.  The floral scent of the palace gardens seemed to be suddenly all around him.  No doubt she had written this in the very same gardens that he had made his sworn oath to her.  With a shuddering breath, a surge of desire cut through him and he fought to keep it under control.  There would be time for all of that later.  

Carefully popping the wax seal, he began to read:

Vi,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits.  The girl that arrives with this letter is my dearest Sasha.  I know that this is not the most agreeable of situations but she needs your protection.  El has chosen her, I'm sure of it.  While in prayer I had a vision of a family of forest cats.  The little runt kitten had been cast out from the den and was taken up by a large eagle.  I had thought this meant death but the kitten was unharmed.  The eagle’s claws were gentle as they carried it off and out of sight into the sky.  In every vision I have ever been given, you were always the eagle.  I do not presume to know the will of El, but I believe you have a role to play in this as much as I.  

Please understand that I do this with the utmost love, and respect, for you.  You have always been a true confidant and my closest friend.  I ask you, beg of you, to take my daughter and raise her as your own.  No doubt you have heard the rumors by now.  No matter what you heard, it was probably true.  She has the old blood in her; El's blood.  This isn't an easy thing I am asking you to do, but I am asking nonetheless.  Hal has made it clear that if you cannot find a place for her, then she is to be cast out to the wilds for the humans to decide her fate.  He is unwilling to risk the life of our son for the life of our daughter.

Do this, and I will forever be in your debt.

With all my heart,

Malora

Setting the letter aside, he let out a strained breath.  To cast out a child...  When so few were born as it was...  Pursing his lips, he brought the letter back into view and read it once more, but the words remained the same.  If he were to take her in, Sasha would be his new daughter.  If he did not, he would lose all standing for letting a child young as she was out into the forest when he had the ability to care for her.  Though the letter framed it like a choice, there was no choice to be had.

"A forest cat indeed,"  he murmured softly as he slid the letter back into the envelope.  Malora had always been able to back him into a corner and make him take the choice she had already devised.  

A smirk grew across his face as he thought about the last time his cousin had managed to make him do something he had not envisioned.  Years before Sasha and Tekor had been born, he had gone to visit.  Malora had taken great care with her words such that he had thought that the invitation he received was from Hal himself.  But when he arrived, only Malora was there to greet him.  No doubt it was some grand joke on her part.  The jealousy that Hal displayed upon his arrival home made it clear just why she had done it.  She hung on Vidar’s body every chance she got and he could only watch as she stoked a fire in her husband the likes of which he had never seen.

This time he didn't stop the delicious ache of yearning that the memory brought him.  Alone in his chambers, with naught but his memories and the sweet scent of the letter, he went to work pleasuring himself.

~~~

By the time dusk fell, he was naught but a mess of his former self.  He had managed to get some sleep but it wasn't entirely restful and it would remain that way until his wife returned.  Only then would he be able to have a proper release and he shuddered in pleasure at the thought of it.

Dragging himself from the bed, he stooped over the little table, which bore a wash basin, water jug, and towel.  Carefully, he began going to work cleaning himself up in preparation for the night.  He had no doubt that his wife would smell what he had done to their bed, but for now he would scrub off what he could.

The creak of his chamber door opening startled him and he whipped around ready to take on any who would dare intrude his chambers; nakedness be damned.  But there in the doorway was not some human, determined to end him, but instead Sasha.  He could only watch as her face scrunched up in clear and blatant disgust.  

"It stinks in here."  She made no comment to his nakedness as her little frame moved to the window closest to the door and threw it open.  As though it had to happen now and there was no room for discussion: every bit her mother.

Fighting to regain his composure, he went to put on some clothes in the event that there were onlookers.  "While you are here, you will knock before entering a room."  He spoke flatly as he slid on his tunic.  "This will also be the last time you will ever be in these chambers unless you are specifically called to enter them.  Is that understood?"  He turned to face her, tunic dropping just above his knees.  

It was then that he caught sight of the blood his Malora had mentioned.  The darkness and rage in her eyes was not something he had seen in the other children; his son included.  But he would not be dissuaded.

Standing tall and firm, he prepared himself mentally for the truth he was to tell her.  "Your mother has sent you to be a member of my house now.  You will follow the rules I give, or you will make a new home for yourself with the humans in the forest.  Make your choice, child."

He watched as she clenched her fists and bared her little fangs at him a moment, before seeming to calm down.  "I....  I will do...  as you say."  Her words were broken with rage, but he was impressed that she had managed to spit them out.  

He nodded casually towards the door.  "Now go wait out in the hallway."  Her reaction was more impressive than her control from a moment ago.  Her walk was stiff and stilted, as if she were desperately trying not to stomp.  When his chamber door shut behind her, he allowed himself to smile openly.  This girl was going to be trouble.  He only hoped that his wife was ready for the adventure Sasha would bring.

Once he was no longer naked, he met her out in the hallway.  "Come.  I bet you're hungry."  

Not even waiting for her to answer, he led the way to his modest kitchen.  Pulling out some blood sausage and some droybat, he went to work plating some up for the both of them.  Though he was too old to need this type of food, he wanted to make sure she felt welcome in his home.  From what he could gather from her demeanor, it was clear to him that this turn of events was not sitting well with her.  

Carrying the plates to the table in the adjoining informal dining room, he set the plates down on opposing sides of the small table.  She seemed to take the hint and followed him before climbing into one of the seats.  Taking a seat of his own, he watched her begin eating without so much as a thank you.  

Sighing with a smile, he began eating as well.  "I cannot imagine what you are feeling right now.  I know this will not seem like home for some time.  But you need to understand that even though you do not know me, I have your best interests at heart."  He watched as she stabbed a chunk of the sausage in frustration.  

"Why should I believe anything you say?"  Her words were childish, and reeked of entitlement.  

Relaxing into his chair, he watched as she thrust her fork into the next hunk of sausage.  "I am Vidar, son of Thak.  Thak had a brother, Velkor.  Velkor was your mother's father, which makes him your grandfather.  Your mother and I grew up together, like siblings.  I would give my life for her if I had to.  And, for whatever reason, she has entrusted you to me.  I didn't fail her when we were children.  I will not fail her now."  As he spoke, he watched her anger ebb.  Her place in his family tree was becoming apparent, and it seemed to placate her.  

"So..."  Her words seemed to die in her throat.  

"So you will live here."  He leaned across the table and met eyes with her.  "And, hopefully, you will come to love those that live here as we come to love you."  He noticed her reaction to those words and fought against the power of them as well.  

Love wasn't a taboo topic, but it was uncommon to say it so openly.  Said aloud as he was, presumed favoritism and was perceived to pervert the patriarchy that their race clung tightly to.

"Do you believe me now?"  His words were met with an immediate nod of agreement as more sausage disappeared off her plate.  "My wife, Alana, and son, Belor, will be returning today from a trip.  Though they are not expecting you, I imagine they will be as accepting as I am."  He could see a hint of doubt in her.  Truth be told, he didn't fully know how they would react to her.  While his word was to be the final say on matters, he still preferred his family happy instead of merely obedient.

Taking a bite of the droybat, he basked in its sweetness.  There would be time for him to worry over what might be later.  For now, he would try to enjoy the first meal he was having with his daughter.