But I have killed. A chill chased those words and swept down her spine, but Oswin stood steadfast. Since she was born she’d always been more hard-headed than was necessary and despite her years of growth that much remained the same. She did not waiver when faced with the truth, that despite her best efforts it was the love of a man that took precedence in her life. She had forever believed her path would be to be among the Peak sisterhood, but after her brother’s death and the pain that fell to her nieces and nephew afterwards, life itself had shifted all meaning. Her return to the Peak was sign enough the place had outgrown her or she, it… or the guilt and shame she felt at betraying the sisters who had believed in her was just too much to bear.

Oswin knew very little these days, but of this she was certain: her love for Tyr and her belief in the man he wanted to be.

But can you love a stallion who carries such sin?

“I can.” She said, and though her words were quiet, they were loud enough to pronounce her sincerity. Her tone waivered briefly with emotion, but her eyes lifted to meet Tyr’s and the resoluteness was present across her face. She only allowed a brief pause of silence between them before she asked, “Will you let me help you carry the burden, and continue to remind you that you are not that same beast any more?”

The answers beyond that were none she could easily see. To make this decision would be to outcast them both from the only home they’d truly ever known, but Oswin felt it was the only one possible. Her last chance at living, or at finding something in this life worth living for. Did Tyr think so too? Had she gotten through to him? Or was he going to shove her away and return to the shadows and become the monster he could so well be?

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.