PERSEPHONE

Persephone’s smile widened, melting happily into a wide grin as she watched realisation flood Silvanus’ face, and then heard the bright laughter which burst from her lips. It was such a pleasant sound to the ears, she thought, and its joy so infectious.

“So it seems,” she agreed with a small chuckle, bobbing her head.

Persephone did not have much chance to say anything else, however, before Silvanus’ words began to come quick and fast. Her excitement was evident in both the way she spoke and the way she began to dance a little on the spot. Persephone noted the way her teeth chattered, however – when she wasn’t speaking, that is – and guessed that it was not just excitement that made her quiver.

Winter was upon them now, and it was certainly cold enough to chill someone, especially with Silvanus’ wet coat and hair.

“Come on,” she said gently with a smile, tossing her head back towards the depths of the Forest. “Let’s get you out of the wind at least while we talk.”

She turned to lead Silvanus towards shelter, then, before retuning her attention to the girl’s many questions.

“Yes, the Forest is mine now,” she began, smiling to say the words. “I claimed it not long after we met actually. There are a few of us now, and I hope to continue to expand. Do you know Shamwari, then? We are both neighbours and allies now, although I am still in the process of getting to know him.”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh