Blackfeather Woods Walking by your side

She didn't like him telling her no, and he knew it right away. Even with him correcting himself, she was noticeably more tense. The reaction hadn't been intended to harm, and he certainly hadn't meant to throw a leash on her in any way.
He stopped with her, and she made several good points. Taikon didn't know what Siarut was like, but given Taki's reaction, it seemed that a messenger was simply not going to be enough. He resented this. Then, she asked if he meant to leave Taktuq alone for a week while they went, and he understood then. No. He couldn't leave the girl alone. In fact, he wouldn't. Not in this weird, tree-obsessing place of childish nightmares. He sighed. I know you are, Taki, he answered softly. I just don't... He couldn't. He wouldn't.
I can't lose you. I can't. It terrified him to be separated from her. To not know where she was on the other side of the Sunspires. They ran Taktuq out. Or someone did. What if... Or Mahler's crowd... I just.. He was rocked by the idea of losing her, especially with her injury fresh in his mind. He couldn't imagine being powerless to protect her, yet that was what she was suggesting.