Larksong Grotto A cheap sunset on a television set can upset her, but he never could

—but you are. He responded, and then there was silence. Tavi sat there with him and didn't know what to say. He was right, but she didn't want him to be right. She didn't want to be tied to him any more than she already was, and his words led her into a sense of anticipation that, for now, felt wrong to her.

It didn't matter in the long run what they called one another. They were bonded and that was it; she couldn't undo what had happened between them, what was happening. All Tavi could think about right now was her desire to run away. She stayed right where she was, supporting Reek while he cried on her shoulder, and remained silent — then, gradually, found her voice.

You need help. Ditty, you need Ditty, or someone else who can help you. I can't— But she could sit here with him, at least until someone with the appropriate knowledge came by; at the very least to keep him warm until morning, because surely they wouldn't be sleeping tonight. Tavi breathed in the scent of his pelt, and felt her stomach twist when all she could really discern was the smell of his blood. I want to leave, Reek. It popped out before she could stop it, but oddly enough, Tavi didn't regret the words.