She hadn’t laughed. She had promised him she’d laugh as she threw him into the river, but she hadn’t. She should have. But the moment had not been a proud one for her. The moment had shown too clearly how much (too damned much) she had cared. And regardless of what else she might be, she couldn’t bring herself to laugh at his pain. She couldn’t even bring herself to be angry anymore.
Instead, as they travel towards Nerine, there is only tired resignation. She had tried to let go and failed. He had tried to leave and failed. It seems, regardless of the anger and tension she had fostered between them so long, they are destined to keep each other’s company at least a while longer. Or perhaps it had been a choice. But if it was, she doesn’t want to dwell on it, as unwise a choice as it would no doubt prove.
Just as he had given up his fight, she too had given up her anger. It has gotten her nowhere anyway. He refused to reciprocate, and she is not built for seige.
She does her best to ignore him as they arrive in the coastal kingdom, him still wet from his unexpected dip, her dry as a bone and appearing entirely unruffled. Her only intention upon arriving in the kingdom is to deposit him in a safe corner and find somewhere she might regain her own calm and equilibrium in peace. She has spent too much time these last several days hijacked by the force of her own emotions.
Her plans, unfortunately, are foiled by the approach of a speckled red stallion. She recognizes him immediately as her uncle, though they have never truly met. Regardless, she had made it a point of knowing all her relations. Dovev rouses immediately, pressing close in a protective manner. Unnecessary, but in the wake of her own turmoil, she cannot seem to find the will to push him away.
As it turns out, she isn’t entirely heartless.
“Leilan,” she greets evenly, pale blue eyes fixing on the roan stallion with an unsettling intensity. She says nothing further, instead waiting for him to steer the conversation.
i see your sins
and i want to set them free
