Ocean's Breath Plateau sky riders

your fault?
everything, up until now, had been her fault. she was the reason that cen was so angry and miserable. she was the reason that they had moved in the first place. she was the reason they came to moontide; she was the reason she had gotten pregnant. she was the reason that brave one's leg was deformed. she was —
— the reason that ghaden was dead.
her gaze is distant. it's not my fault, she says it more for her son than for herself, her breath a mere rasp in her throat. and it's not your fault either, baby, okay? it's not.
she lowers herself down to coil her body around him, scooping him in her arms and pulling him close to her chest. she buries her nose in the downy ruff of his neck, shaded in cen's dark tones. she pretends as though his words do not stab at her heart.
you do not have to be, she whispers. you are so special, brave one. and you are-- you are loved, very very much, for who you are. never forget that.