Northstar Vale Yioí

they came.

the pains did not return. meadow crouched beside her. she leaned into arsenio's kiss and willed herself to stand to her full small height beside her heart-sister.

the pale eyes fastened to reyson. "i believe that you quarreled with antigone," tamar said. "i do not believe it came to blows." tamar took a breath. "this vale must be a place of peace. i will not have it another way."

"for three days you will leave. and you will think upon your place here in epoch. and when you come back, reyson, i want you to begin teaching. you need more to occupy you. meadow will heal. she does not need you so close at all times."

tamar stepped forward. "i do not want you to take this as an insult. antigone has gone also. both of you will use this time to consider."

her heart, breaking, cracking at the idea of antigone not returning home.

the light hue of her eyes were upon reyson's own, not commanding, not demanding, only inviting the man to speak.

her son had gone in anger. would this man do the same?