Bearclaw Valley I know my love can be the killing kind

Aventus nodded slowly to acknowledge Evien’s instructions. He intended to go as long as possible without asking for anything, not because he knew that it would put him back into the deep, but because he wanted to seem strong like his sire. That would prove difficult; the longer he was awake, the deeper the ache in his side grew.

He listened as Evien explained that Astara didn’t speak, so the name Leila was just something he’d granted her. Well, he knew the first bit. His communication with his mother was largely nonverbal, and even if he did speak, she never replied with words. It made sense that friends of hers would make up names for her. It begged the question of what Merrick called her.

Why do we need allies?‌ he asked next. He didn’t like Donovan or Nyra or their shifty pack, and he didn’t understand why Ursus needed the likes of slimy snakes on their side.