Meadowlark Prairie the lady of the house

Towhee could be wrathful. She could be snappy and sassy too, which was why he loved her so much. When she opened her mouth Reyes did not know what side of her to expect: the wrath, the sass, or something new. He rain through everything in his head he had wanted to say — explanations, pleas, twisting stories one way or another, the plain truth; he did not know what would work, but he need not bother. 

Something in Towhee softened.

Come home, she said. 

What about Niamh? Was she okay? He didn't want to ask. What about Phox? Wouldn't he just finish him off when he was back at the Caldera? What if they were in league with one-another. Phox could have turned Towhee against him by now. Reyes studied her face for a long moment wanting to believe he would be welcomed, wanting to retreat with her back to their love cave like nothing had ever happened — but he had his doubts.

I want to, he said. But what about Niamh? Phox? They hate me, and you should hate me too.