Ylva looked first at Quinn, then Joker, as they each spoke in turn. Their innocent young words made her heart break, and for a moment she was quiet, uncertain what to say next. Were they right? Was it too soon? They were still so young, and it would (hopefully) be some time before Warsaw made his move. But what if it isn’t? she thought. What if she had less time with them than she realized? Warsaw was changeable like the winds, after all.
Thinking of what could happen if she did not prepare them pushed her onward. “Well,” she began, and swallowed against a sudden dryness in her throat, “You know the stallion who lives with us, Warsaw? When you are old enough, he will have his own ideas about where you go and what you do. And it may… not be something that you like or agree with.”
Ylva carefully watched the twins’ faces to see how they would react to that. “For instance, Joker, he may want to send you away to live somewhere else. And Quinn, you might be allowed to stay here, but…” The words stuck in her throat, and it physically hurt to force them out. “You might have to have babies of your own. This is why I’ve asked the two of you what you would like to do. If we ask him nicely before he makes his decision, you may not have to do either of those things.”
Her heart thumped in her chest at the white lie. As much as Ylva intended on pleading with Warsaw to be merciful with her children, she knew the likelihood of him listening to her was low.
3; norwegian fjord; red dun pangare; 14hh |