Panther Park [m] The only time I'd ever call you mine

From here, I could end it.

But Reverie knew that, didn't she? This was a lesson she'd learned well, the first of her youth in The Gilded Sea, taught over and over at Swiftcurrent Creek, at Saltshore, at Hearthwood. Men; always the blade at her throat, always seeking to change her, fix her, hurt her, own her.

From here, I could force you;

Lestan threatening to take Blossom from her,

From here, I could fix you;

Kel pinning her at the mouth of her den,

From here, I could kill you.

She drew in a breath and let Hunst guide her with his words, let him turn the blade and press the hilt into her own grasp. Reverie drew on the strength of a lifelong dancer, a wanderer, a wolf forged by the wilds; he was bigger than her, but she'd always been sturdy for her size.

Still, it surprised her a little when she threw him. Dizzied even as she found her footing again, Reverie stumbled away from Hunst as if he'd been lit to flame. She stood still bristling, wide-eyed, her thoughts a wild jumble, her steps light as if prepared to flee any moment.