The Sentinels castle on a cloud

deirdre need not think of her response to him, though was truly surprised by the question. it was for this reason that her response was not immediate, but her gaze softened as she turned her head to regard him. no, i know that he does not, she murmured, he may even understand. deirdre felt no need to ask if rannoch hated skellige any longer; that he worried for the leviathan's hate was an answer to her. that he cared to know, she believed, meant that the hate in his heart had been erased.

what is on your mind, rannoch? unburden yourself to me, she invited, pausing in their trek. the mist kissed at their ankles, the birds stared watchfully with their dark eyes. she moved to brush his cheek with her muzzle, her affection toward him something she longer withheld. she cared for skellige's chosen prince a great deal, and hated so to see any in such torment!