Deepwood Weald histriophoca

Dutch did stand there in her wake, his heart beating very fast. Her easy, silent acceptance was the same as it always was, but today, it was not enough.

"Sulukinak," he said, pacing after her. "Wait."

He wanted to look her in the eye. From a closer vantage, he would search for signs of dissent in her beloved face.

What would he do if he found them?

"Please promise me," he said to her, still calm but more serious, now. "Promise you will not offer any of them — to Sedna or anyone else. It is not done this way in my family. We have never practiced any harvest."

His chest hurt with every pulse of his heart. He held his breath to await her answer.