Hushed Willows I will relentlessly shame myself in rest, in wake, in front of

She saw the no before she heard it. It was written in Reverie's expression, and Mae could only think that none of it was fair. How else was she meant to learn — testing it herself? And not knowing, that wasn't an option, not for her. Mae started to bristle as Reverie went on, apparently thinking that she had some kind of say in the decision.

If you won't teach me, I'll just learn on my own, Mae asserted first, stepping back. But don't think you get to tell me what to do. You're not my fuckin' mom, and you never will be. We don't need to talk about anything. She almost said more, but suddenly didn't trust herself not to be cruel. So instead she turned away, hackles still bristling as she left Reverie behind.