Qeya River briar hearts

she finds his voice warm in the ice of her brain and the chill of the waters. perhaps she only finds its warmth for the fact that he sounds like him. there was no pretend.

she tried to say it back. started and stopped twice. on the second time she licks her lips and laughs dryly at herself.

you will have to teach these words. only then can i greet you as you wish.

she wants to dive beneath the cold waters. she knew she was not strong enough yet. all of it tasted bitter on her tongue — or maybe that is the bile from the first plant matter she had tried.