Arrow Lake verräter

The cloven clatter drew her from her wisping thoughts, and her bereaved eyes found the mauvely, austere gaze of Mahler. Her name from his lips was received with a quiet blink, and she remained as such throughout his verdict. Her taut heart flushed with pale gratitude, and then cinched, vexed, at the prospect of what seemed to be her beloved’s banishment. As Mahler continued, tears veiled themselves over her eyes, salt and piercing; eventually, an ever-faint hitch unfurled from her wan throat, and she took her gaze to her rambunctious children.

Oh, dragostea. Even now, he divided her. Would their children conquer their first season in its entirety, when he returned? If ever? With the verdict of her midwife, would Verx even be allowed to see them? See her? Or did this enshrouded male mean to exact violence should her night-of-life be sighted? 

Aurëwen was not, of course, canting wholly in favor of her heart’s yearning; she understood all too thoroughly Mahler’s own qualms. The muskier would carry out his own judgement, and should Verx request the presence of her and her children if he did, indeed, linger at the borders again... she wasn’t sure he’d be permitted to see his family.

She could never keep their sun-and-stars from him, but neither would she ever part from them. The answer was in her blood; the one that’d always been with her. It was enough of a knowing to have Aurëwen anchoring her head towards Mahler once more.

”Verx told me that he has loved ze children since he felt them within me. He would... he would not desert his children out of cowardice when he has loved them so endlessly.” Whet her scarred lips, and hastened on, always gentle, evened, ”There had to be a reason for his leaving. There must be, or I am truly a classic fool.” But, no, this wasn’t about her—

Gleaming silver eyes beseeched those of her midwife’s, all full-moon and laden and somber. ”If... Mahler, if he does return for his children, swear to me you will permit him to see them. Please.”