Emberwood Sundew [m]

Kel felt her gaze as keenly and sharply as a knife cutting into the deepest parts of him. He was reminded of Erzulie, the way she had seemed to see right through him. Discomfort washed away any desire he might have felt, and it was with relief that he noted the lessening of nature's pull on him. He was being judged, he felt, and did not like it.
But he had brought it on himself. Of course he didn't blame her for having standards. He nodded slowly as she spoke, almost rejoining with something thoughtless like I can't have children anyway, or you could do better. Kel caught himself just in time, though what came out in the end was no less clueless than the other options. Do you want me to leave? His voice was quiet but level. He made no move to leave for now.