The whispers of winter were rampant, the cold unforgiving as Evander sat atop his horse. The draft stallion snorted, his dappled coat catching the snowflakes with each step. The cobblestone had begun to freeze, making it just a little treacherous. Evander blankly stared ahead, the gates lifting with powerful tugs and pulls of the chains. "Have your daily rounds finished, leave no mercy to those who slip with their husbands and wives." He grunted, leading his horse to the stables.

The stallion seemed to huff, finally getting better warmth from the blacksmith furnace they walked by. "Now is not the time to daydream, Phoenix." Evander lightly scolded his horse. Getting off the steed, Evander watched as Phoenix was tended to by the stablehand. He didn't give a second look at the woman, simply signaling one of his guards to give her some coin. His footsteps lingered in the air as a reminder to his guiltless pursuits. His thick furred coat kept him warmer than most, the expensive material mere bronze to him. Snowflakes seemed to burn the second they touched Evander, signaling the boiling anger beneath his composed exterior.

Evander threw open the doors to a familiar bed chamber, eyes narrowing at the sight of his second most trusted knight laying in front of their hearth. "Still recovering from war, I see." He simply commented, throwing off his coat and approaching them. He snuggled up to the knight on the fur rug, basking in their warmth as he placed his crown to the side. He shoved his face into the knight's neck, shooting a glare when they looked back at him. "Keep your mouth sewn, boy. I am simply staying warm."

It was bullshit, so much so a damn toddler could see through it. The knight was everything Evander could want in a man - strong, loyal, and someone who put up with his anger. Evander slipped a finger under their bandages, checking how the wounds were healing before grumbling softly, a rare moment of concern breaking through his tough facade.