It was early morning. The sun was beginning to rise upon the land and the quiet chirp of birds soon became a flood which echoed through the silent -atmosphere of the Oasis. Admittedly, it was quite nice to be on a small isolated island, away from the trauma of being dislocated from her family. But what wasn't nice was being on an isolated island with strangers, knowing only one other who evidently did not reciprocate the feelings that the girl was feeling in her heart.

A sigh escaped her lips as she raised from a restless slumber. The girl takes a moment to stretch before releasing a yawn. She was tired, but would still function. Today, Maia would confront @Fíonn. She needed answers, but she also had questions of her own. Only he could facilitate them. Rising to her feet, the girl took a moment to flex her toes against the rough grains of sand that were scattered about her den. Walking out, she made her way to where the High Sovereign slept, twitching her ears now and then, careful to listen for anyone that might be following her.

As she arrived, Maia released a series of chuffs to alert the pink titan of her presence, and that she wanted to speak with him. Her tail hung low behind her, whiskers twitching in the wind as she waited.

Art by Ale-Tie

Blearily, he awaoke from a hot slumber with a jolt, eyes blinking as a silhouette became clear at the foot of his den. The shape sharpened as he awoke, and he was met with deep greys and bright yellows and -

Ah.

No doubt Maia was beautiful - a tad young, but Fionn had thought they'd clicked a bit when they first met after Gwyn. But perhaps it had been the pink King's saviour complex kicking in once again. Helping someone in such a way as he had with Maia would usually evoke similar feelings within him, wanting to keep her safe and from harm's way, be a white knight in shining armour. And while those feelings were all still true, and he would protect her with his life - it wasn't romance, no. Perhaps something more familial, brotherly even. He would die for her much the same, as was his duty.

The thing about Aarani was - he hadn't had to save her. She'd come to the Oasis all by herself on her own steam, three cubs in tow and fully formed. Hell, she'd saved him. So when he felt himself falling for the maned lioness he knew - he knew those feelings were of the romantic love kind. And thoughts of Maia had drifted away, as though he were viewing the grey lioness at the end of a tunnel. So much had happened over the last few months, he just hadn't had time to address it all. How he wsih he had.

Still, he almost wished it hadn't happened this way - especially not with those yellow eyes boring holes into his soul. First Haniel, now this.

{Maia,} he began as he sat up, tall as ever, his voice neutral and cracked with sleep. He saw no point in avoiding the obvious. {You're upset.}

@Maia

Maia stood and waited for the High Sovereign to stir from his slumber. She didn't care if he had been woken rudely - shouldn't a King be ready for anything, no matter what time of the day it might be? Birds continue to chirp in the distance as the sun slowly rising, the dull hue of the radiation becoming much more orange and fiery as the ball of light rose higher in the sky.

Ablaze eyes watch and wait, and eventually fall on the pink titan as he rouses out from the warmth that the den offered. He sat up, body evidently sluggish and weary from sleep. You're upset. She said nothing, simply sat in silence for a moment longer.

It gave her time to think. @Fíonn had hurt her without realising - she'd fallen for his pretty eyes and rosé form just as much as the next dumb woman. His charms were certainly endearing, anyone could see that. Her heartbreak fuelled her on though, and there was a strength growing amidst the turmoil.

"Nice to see you noticed," She remarked bluntly, her sharp tongue going straight to the point. He had noticed - but only because it had been put in front of his short nose. "I trusted you." Was all she said, white-tipped tail twitching behind her haunches as she stood, expecting answers from the pale titan that he probably would be unable to give.

She'd trusted him? To do what?

He'd intervened when Gwyn had tried to claim her, and they'd shared a soft moment at the Hollow but that was it. He would admit, there might have been some kind of spark between them once. Perhaps that's why she appeared betrayed - but she behaved as though he'd pledged his undying love to her before running off into the sunset with Aarani. He and Maia had never so much as brushed heads, let alone anything mroe serious.

And now here she was, brazen, half-cocked, stood in his den acting high and mighty and spitting her venomous words about like confetti as if it were her birthright.

The usually gentle giant found his hackles raising, sleepy visage falling away from him like a veil caught by the wind as his brow furrowed, standing at his full height, head proud and high. The abrupt awakening did nothing to help his mood.

Trusted me? he asked, his voice unyielding, inflexible, ever passive, baritones rumbling through the floor. You have a home. Sanctuary. Pridemates. A place where I'll keep you safe Maia. I'll protect you or die trying. What else, precisely, did you trust me to do?

She had no right to be upset over stolen spoils when they'd never been hers to begin with. He would never apologise for loving Aarani.

@Maia

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Fire ablaze eyes watch the titan's form carefully, and it was obvious that he was becoming defensive against her words. Maia should have known that this was how the man was going to react - after all, men never did anything wrong, did they?

He spits words about having a home, a sanctuary, and pride mates to keep her company. She listens to his words about how he'd keep her safe or die trying. The girl remains standing, ears twitching as she listened to his unyielding voice. When asked what else Maia had trusted him to do, the girl's gaze softened from a fiery blaze, to something much more neutral. She released a gentle sigh.

"I trusted you to love me." She remarks finally, dual-tone eyes moving from her paws back to the form of the peachy titan. "That's what I thought this was." Maia pauses, and takes a seat, lowering her defences. Any anger that had occupied her form had melted away into sweet nothing. "Clearly I was wrong." She murmurs, almost a whisper, looking to @Fíonn for an answer.

The flame of anger fanning in his chest was doused within moments as the woman too seemed to deflate. Fionn could never hold rage for long, he wasn’t the type of man where such an emotion fuelled him. He watched her droop, and it saddened him deeply. She was so young, and Fíonn had started her young adult life like this, a heartbreak fresh out the gate.

Maia had believed she would be loved by him. In a strange shadow world, she had placed herself where Aarani was currently positioned within the behemoths life. Sad to see such emotions wasted on someone like him. It seemed he’d managed to win affections from a myriad of wonderful people. He never intended for any of it to become this messy.

A heavy breath left his lungs. Maia, he said softly. She would hate him, perhaps want to leave. No doubt that would be easier. If Fionn could make her despise him, it would allow her to leave her love behind much easier than if she still cared. I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want. Apologies would no doubt be empty to her. But I’ve fallen in love with Aarani. It would be unfair to string you both along. I’m not greedy like some men. Gwyn came to mind, rumoured second wife and all. It’s better for you to despise me, and move on. Be with someone who can give themselves to you fully, someone closer to your age. I won’t be disloyal. He watched her with serene green eyes.

It was never my intention to hurt you as I have.

His baritones dropped, and his eyes pinched at the at the prick of wetness that poked the back of his eyelids. Never let it be said the behemoth King didn’t feel deeply. The guilt he felt at a low simmer most times was turned up to eleven as her dual gaze burned into him deep, and he had to turn away from her before it spilled over the edges.

But this was never about him. He blinked and forced himself to look back at her.

I understand. If you want to leave. he whispered, But this will always be a home for you as long as I’m here. And if you were ever to bring a mate back home with you they would be welcome as well.

@Maia

@Maia

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The girl listened with quiet breaths as @Fíonn explains to her what the situation actually was. She was only just a woman, and a naive one at that. She knew not what true love was — only what she had been told it was like. Had she ever truly been told what it was like? No, of course not. His words shatter her heart, and the name of Aarani fell upon her ears. Someone I should avoid, she thinks.

She frowned. The girl couldn't quite fathom why it was better for her to despise him. After all, he had rescued her from the terrible clutches of Gwyn. She nodded. "I understand." The girl confirms, her voice no more than a murmur. She might be heartbroken, but that did not stop her from following her silent ambition.

She shook her head. "I have no desire to leave the Oasis, Fíonn. This is my home, and whilst I'm welcome, I am not putting a big 'claim me' sign on my back with the status of rogue." She had lost enough — the stability that the Oasis offered her was enough right now. "I do, however, have one wish. One wish that I want you to grant me, to make up for what you've done."

The girl rises, then, from the comfort of her haunches and moved into the confinements of the High Sovereign's den. Maia takes no chances, and closes the gap between the two of them. She stands in front of the titan, her neck tilting up to look firmly in his eyes. "Make me your Queen. I do not wish to be alongside you as your lover. I want to rule, and I want to rule alongside you. Regardless of our past." Fiery eyes look firmly on the King's, her body full of expectation and anticipation as she awaited his answer.

His Queen? Maia? To make up for what he’d done?

All he’d done was protect her from Gwyn and give her a home. He felt awfully for breaking her heart - but he’d never led her astray, or treated her with malice. No...

Besides. He wouldn’t allow another to outrank Aarani.

Part of him felt like she was using his guilt, using his soft heart to gain leverage and move her way up the chain of power. Even if part of him wanted to allow it, he knew he wanted Aarani as his queen. That alone forged his answer.

I can’t grant you that, Maia. he stated, honest and brutal. I won’t allow you to be above the woman I love.

He would at least offer her a small part of the pride though. You’re welcome as a member of of my nobility, if you so wish it. But to make you Queen is not something I will do. He shook his head, peering at her through bright seafoam optics. I know you feel I’ve slighted you, but loving her is not a crime, and I refused to be indebted for it.

@Maia

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