Oswin might have cried when Vita Nova agreed. She inhaled sharp, in happy surprise, and her blue eyes gathered a shimmer of water, making them glisten. “Oh, really Nova?” A breath left Oswin all at once; a worry momentarily eradicated. “Thank you.” She wasn’t sure what else she was going to do with Nephilim – if he spurned Nova, Oswin wasn’t about to expect her to stick around and try and help convince him to return to the islands. He’d said horrible, mean things to try and drive Oswin away – mainly about their shared mother – but it never worked.

Being raised in the Prairie with such a close family as Valentine’s herd had been taught Oswin the importance of siblings. Her heart ached every day she thought about the sisters who were grown and off in the world, not knowing whether they were okay. Oswin would do anything for her siblings and that same level of care extended to Nephilim when they were reacquainted later. What had happened to her mother was horrible, but Oswin didn’t associate Nephilim with it in the way Dock did. Nephilim, for all his love of his children, was blind to the importance of other family. Still… she’d always known him to be a father first for his children, especially after their mothers abandoned them first. The stallion he was now… Oswin wasn’t sure how to think of him.

“When you’re ready to see him, I’ll take you to where he’s living. It’s off the mainlands, but near enough it’s only a few hours travel.” Oswin hesitated, but then followed up with, “and Nova, if you want me there with you, I’ll be there. But if you want to knock some sense into him on your own, you’re more than welcome.”

Oswin wasn’t sure what her reaction would be if Nephilim turned any of that newfound cruelty to Nova. He could berate Oswin with his rage, but if he dared try to be so cruel to Nova, Oswin just wouldn’t be held responsible for whatever she might do.

oswin
this is as brave as I know how to be.
I know it’s gonna hurt you, but please… be a little proud of me.