Hushed Willows [m] Test a nerve, baby, you know what the price is

Kyrell was speaking to her, but Reverie could hardly make sense of the words. She leaned into him, for a moment reduced to the simple thought that his embrace felt nice. Not intrusive, but warm and friendly. Reassuring. He wanted to get her to her den, and that sounded nice. Yes, let's - let's go to my den... She murmured. I'll walk. I can walk. It wasn't so far. Maybe Boone would be there. Maybe he would —

And then he was there. He was there and for a moment she could breathe again — but then she met his eyes, and her heart turned to stone and dropped heavily into her stomach. She knew that look. That mix of exhaustion and resentment and fear and pity and regret, all for her, all because of her. How many times had she seen it in Lestan's eyes? How many times? I'm sorry - I'm sorry, I - please don't -

We'll go to Moonglow.

I'll send you back to Kvarsheim. Without her.

No, She gasped, already beginning to lose what steadiness she'd found on her feet. How could he? How could he? No, you can't - you can't send me away, I - Panic now; blinding. He didn't love her anymore. He wanted her gone. Not his problem anymore, not his wife, not his. She couldn't breathe. Reverie took a step back, shaking, and her hind legs collapsed again. Boone was already leaving. Her eyes found Kyrell.

Please.

She broke into sobs. She didn't even notice that she'd stopped bleeding.