Dragoncrest Cliffs Till my heartbeat stops

when val had first seen rosalyn, he had taken her indifference as something cold; angry, even. chacal had been quick to deflect the sting, but even then val had held onto it. he thumbed the thorn daily, marveling its exquisite hurt -- until he came upon rosalyn.

now he realized it was not indifference, so much as something different. he was losing maman, the thing he had always taken for granted. his life had changed in so many ways, but he had always believed both of his parents would be there when he needed them.

this new reality was impossible to rectify. rosalyn apologized while val wrestled with his own feelings of selfishness. his eyes softened, by guilt and something far more tender: love.

"maman," val started, his voice trailing off softly as he collected his thoughts one by one as if they were delicate things. it is me that should be sorry. i was gone for so long. i'm sorry, maman. he wanted to ask so many things of her - to tell her everything he had seen, and felt, and heard.