Serpent Lake Eye, tooth, claw, death

once again safiya surprises him.

back home they’d call girls of her stock acalorada; but there is an older word, older than living memory, that defines her better: bría.

so young to be so passionate.

her expression shifts. soto’s gaze lifts in surprise first, then indulgent satisfaction; he knows that impish look well.

it looks good on her. he likes it and her tongue-in-cheek banter.

safiya speaks his language. he finds it both exotic and reassuring.

him, pretty? he might have blushed years ago; now he only dons a rueful smile. vaya con dios, mi perla. soto murmurs reluctantly, his skin burning where her tongue pressed to his cheek long after he mournfully watched her solitary march home.