Hushed Willows Gentle on My Mind

Could she fault him in her surprise for passing by without an alternative motive? Well, yes, because she in a way was by being so flustered by his presence. Still, she'd rather have him hear her than any other faerie in their court, if only because she believed he would not make fun of her for singing. The fire faeries would not understand the gentleness of her melodies nor the meaning of her words, she thought - especially Aoibh didn't seem like someone who'd enjoy her verses all that much.

She wilted, the tension in her muscles releasing now that her mind knew that she was safe. She felt drained instead of fulfilled, her privacy stained. Her secret was out, and all she could hope was that her lyrics had been vague enough in describing her feelings that Dante was unable to connect the dots.

She dragged herself to the midst of the circular curtain that engulfed them, seeking comfort in the willow and the misplaced trust she'd put in its abilities to keep her from being discovered. Her ears draped 'ver her delicately crafted skull, the pounding of her heart a slowing beat as she calmed herself down. No, she could not fault him - it was her fault for being so careless. A frightening thought then crossed her mind; had she secretly wanted for him to come?

How much did you hear...? She asked, realizing it was silly to get mad at him for nothing more than listening. He'd been kind, gave her compliments - nothing had changed, really, by having him know the secret passion she'd kept hidden since the alliance with the sea folk had been formed. Little did she know that the question she posed would perhaps confirm his suspicions, though it wasn't as he thought.