PERSEPHONE

There was a slight awkwardness between them that filled the air, a thin veil of secrecy between them that each blamed themselves for. If Persephone could have known, she might have thought it almost amusing how parallel their thoughts and lives were in this moment.

Evren’s words brought with them an ebb and flow of this strange atmosphere. At first Persephone nodded in agreement, pleased by Evren’s confident outlook, but her unintentional repetition of Shamwari’s very words brought the moment of conception for her idea – quite literally – flooding back to her.

“Yes… we will need to be…” Persephone replied, almost absently, uncharacteristically unfocused once again.

Persephone was never quite so self-absorbed, so much in fact that she didn’t even notice Evren seeking her gaze, meaningful and earnest. Looking back on the moment, she would have scolded herself. But as it was, Evren’s loaded comment served only to set her own mind racing. For once, she was indecisive.

Then she looked back to her companion, her dark eyes meeting Evren’s own warm brown pair. In that moment, she realised that if she could not confide in this woman, out of everyone, she had no one else on these islands she could even consider.

“You’re right – we are one big family,” she began carefully, hesitating for just a moment before she finally forced herself to speak her mind aloud for the first time. “And I think I might be about to add one more to that family.”

She glanced back briefly towards her side, which had not yet begun to swell noticeably, but within which she could feel the signs that sent her thoughts spiralling, and then back to Evren. She felt almost nervous, for some reason, to see her companion’s reaction.

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh