The Heartwood Tréximo

Okay, he echoed breathlessly to her. A small nod confirmed his intent. Sorcha, with her soft voice and her sweet spring eyes. 

Antigone did not feel ready to depart. He wanted to give her more reason to return to the heartwood. The young medic glanced to the forest, considering what they might do before parting from each other. 

Part of him wanted to confess. He wanted to tell her that he loved someone who loved a hideous monster. It would be too much, he decided. Sorcha did not need to be plagued by the idea of Reyson and his intended mate. She was a part of something new, something that would not be tarnished by Epoch’s failure. 

Are you hungry, Sorcha? I can get us something to eat. We could… Antigone paused, blinking. He had never looked so unsure of himself. Talk… 

What if she said no? What if she never returned to the woods?