Her heart broke for him, knowing what she knew. Oswin thought about every time she’d berated Nephilim in the beginning, when she’d thought there was a spark of hope to convince him to return home. What of your loved ones? Huh?! They’ll think you’re dead! The echo of her screams rang in her ears, followed by his dull response. I am. Oswin felt the contract in her chest, the heavy ache splayed over her, making her feel as if breathing was difficult. She looked at this stallion in front of her who clearly loved Nephilim and swallowed back the emotions climbing in her throat.
“Please,” her voice was tight, she practically choked. Oswin drew a breath and shook her head. “Dances, I… come with me, please.” The decision was made and, in true Oswin fashion, she didn’t back away from it. It was just like when she’d first sought out Nephilim, even knowing her mother would gravely disapprove of it. Oswin knew Nephilim needed her and now, today, she knew he needed Dances. Oswin’s life was moving forward now that she’d returned to the islands and she couldn’t keep visiting him on the Mainlands.
Nodding, Oswin turned, praying under her breath Dances would follow her, even knowing he didn’t have any reason to. She exhaled in relief as she heard hooves eventually fall in behind her, trailing her as she made her way toward the shoreline pointed toward the distant Mainland. Oswin turned, casting one blue-eyed glance at the stallion and took a breath, moving forward again until the surf slapped at her two-toned body and the sand fell away from her hooves. Oswin swam, not sure if the pounding of her heart was from the exertion of swimming or the adrenaline beginning to course through her veins. She couldn’t bear to think about the consequences of leading Dances to where Nephilim had sought shelter this past year and a half. She couldn’t bear to think of Nephilim’s rage at her.
He needed this, even if he couldn’t see past his own self-hatred to realize it.
Oswin stood on the shoreline and waited for Dances to climb ashore, taking one small breath before turning to look further inland. “It’s a little bit of a ways, I can’t… it’s better if I don’t explain. It’s better if I just show you.” Oswin hoped that would be enough to keep him following her. He’d come this far, hadn’t he?
Further into the Mainlands they traveled, Oswin following a path which held snagged bits of her cream hair and worn grooves of her hooves in the dirt. The beach fell way to rolling hills which exploded into pines and they pulled up through the forest, over one hill and another until she drew up short. Oswin turned to look at him, her skin slightly damp and lathered with sweat. Hours, they’d been walking. She couldn’t believe he was still here, but she grasped onto this fact desperately. Her blue eyes searched him and she drew another breath for courage.
“Nephilim’s alive.” Those two words fell heavy between them. “But he’s… changed.” She felt sick in her stomach, thinking of the gruesome wounds her brother now lived with. “He might not be happy to see you, he’ll be angry I brought you. He’s… he’s in a hard place, Dances.” She spoke softly, her voice barely a whisper. “He hates himself so much… it’s hard to get past that, some days. But he asks about you… about everyone. He still loves you, somewhere inside. I can’t get him to come back to the Islands, but maybe you can.”
It was a lot to lay on someone. A heavy burden to bear. Oswin wouldn’t be surprised if Dances turned and bolted the other way, honestly.
But, if he wanted to see Nephilim, Oswin would step aside and allow him to crest the next foothill which would lead him into the wide, shaded valley which Nephilim now lived in.
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.