Shadewood but everything changes, and everything dies

So sorry for the wait, depression was crippling me lol. Tag for reference!

Her touch came, her shoulder pressing into his. He would be a rock for her to lean on, himself immovable... that is, until Vex got beneath his skin again. He had no time to dwell on his thoughts however, as Themis told him more of her story — it was a lot to take in. He listened in silence, his ice-blue eyes trained on her face.

He'd never listened to anyone or anything so intently in his life. And he didn't know what to say to her. He had had... a complicated life. Born as near-royalty, he'd been guarded, and trained, and taught the arts of war, but it was under a cold father and an anxious, unfit mother — abuse and neglect was common to him from @Jaganatha at least, and when Vex had come along, it had gotten even worse. Still... he had been privileged, or so Vex had always reminded him.

Vorilye sighed deeply. "I'm sorry for the way life has treated you." And he was. He wished they had both led different lives. At least now, they had the chance, and he told her so in a deep murmur, "We will be free of our past lives. This is our next chance." He would see to it.