Duck Lake [m]Being born in a duck yard does not matter if hatched from a swan's egg

When he'd returned with Dhalia in tow, Reina had staved off the bleeding and Tybault was gone. The old Everett would have whispered a cold and quiet, good riddance - but he'd changed since the Gilded Sea - even since coming to Hushed Willows - and it showed in the way he'd left Reverie to the care of the coywolves to scout the Emberwood for his brother.

But his scent led outward, beyond the willow's bounds.

That was when Reina called.

He thought he might not answer. Perhaps he would chase after Tybault alone - however far he had run in the time that had lapsed in the chaos of things. The light that had been midmorning dimmed in evening colours, splashed like Reverie in gold and red.

And he sighed.

Reina, he said when he found her. He was sure he still carried the same broken look he'd had when he'd looked at her last, and he didn't have the energy to hide it. Tybault's gone, starting the obvious, I'm going to find him.

No invitation - but he couldn't just leave without telling her. Would Reverie even be here when he came back?

I doubt it. She had ashtray been halfway out the door before Tybault had struck her. If she survived this...

He was sure she wouldn't want any of them around.