Redtail Rise morendo

his answer leaves her stupefied. did he really think his softness was within the bones, rather than the heart? she'd briefly met his family; they'd healed her, cared for her. and she'd not grasped any sort of residual weakness on their part.

'hhey couldh 'hhlearn, Avicus argues, shaking her head. her eyes meet his—or try, at least—with a gimlet query. i came'uh you, in heahh', she remarks harshly, chin raised. i pick'gd you.

i wanted you. and you, too cowardly to choose me, too.

but some woman from the sea sufficed just fine. there was hurt in her gaze, in the way her shoulders stiffened. she looks at him, utterly betrayed.