PERSEPHONE

“No need to apologise,” Persephone began, a small smile on her lips.

She could hardly imagine being disappointed that Evren might appear in any of her conversations within the Forest lately. Expecting an apology was the last thing on her mind. She had grown to feel something close to affection, it seemed, whenever she saw the young mare.

“They were looking for a place to stay. They are welcome, of course, for as long as they want. She will need to rest after giving birth for a little while at the very least, I expect,” Persephone explained.

There was silence just for a moment, and then inspiration seemed to strike Evren as her expression brightened suddenly and the words she had been searching for suddenly seemed to find her tongue. Persephone’s dark-tipped ears flicked forwards, listening carefully to her companion. As she listened, she felt her heart grow warm inside her chest. She would never have broached the topic herself, for fear of pressuring any decision on Evren’s behalf, but to hear that she wanted to stay was music to Persephone’s ears.

“You are always welcome here, Evren,” Persephone replied, her voice warm with honesty. “As is Han, as long as he wants to stay. It would be nice to have someone here who knows what it’s like to lead, to help me when I need it.”

A smile, wider than the last, and more open somehow, curled its way slowly around her lips.

“There is a place at my side. I would appreciate it more than you could know.”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh