Larksong Grotto With apple blossom in her hair

It was disappointing when Saena didn't jump T the opportunity to make an offer to the girls, instead seeming to be turned off by it, as though she would give them even less now for their daring question. Casmir tried to smooth that over, but it made Laurel furious as well as feeling unloved; as though she had been ditched by her mother all over again. She wasn't important enough for her mother to even want to give her anything. Her love, her being, was not something Saena wanted enough to pay for; only for free would she even but want Laurel.

Reek's offer wasn't much better, since he only offered things she felt she already had. But at least he spoke genuinely and with love, without outright declaring that Laurel's love was not something to be bargained with, worthless. Jhala was ignored for the moment, because addressing her would prove the flaws in staying here and would show how neither place was really perfect and what she wanted.

Turning to Casmir, then Saena, she said: "You say she would do anything for us, but she won't even give me anything at all for coming. If I'm so worthless to you, I'll stay here, with my real daddy and mommy." An aim to blow, as she moved over to Reek and nuzzled his chest lovingly. She wanted to see pain on their faces, perhaps to prove that they did love her, perhaps to teach them a lesson for not promising her the world, like Reek did -- and would, when they were gone. For the moment, Jhala was just an object to be used in this game of hurt, and her hatred for her stepmother would return later.