Zjeena listens in rapt attention, worry creasing the lines upon her face.
Zjeena has never had a quarrel with Rayna, thus does not suspect the thoughts reeling through her mind, doubts about Zjeena and whether she cares about Liland at all. Of course Zjeena cares about Liland. A love like they once shared is not easily stamped out. Their conflicts have torn them apart, but Liland will always be a part of Zjeena. He was her first real love, and her experiences with him, for better and worse, have made her who she is today. There are times when she is so angry she could would love nothing more than to thrash him, but only someone who cares could ever be so angry. Indifference is the true state of someone who doesn't care, and Zjeena is far from indifferent.
Zjeena could easily imagine herself kicking Liland's ass on the battle field. She has even wished him dead aloud in a fit of strong emotion, but ultimately, she does not want Liland dead. Her mind does wonder if the bad news Rayna is about to deliver is about Liland. Zjeena assumes Liland wouldn't let Rayna or anyone else from the Bay come to enemy territory alone. He must be dead or gravely injured. Her heart beats a terrified rhythm in her chest and her stomach turns so painfully she could colic.
As Rayna begins to explain the reasons Liland allowed her to come to Paradise, confusion only intensifies. Why would Liland trust Rayna here because of Monster and herself? Both she and Monster are now loyal to Rougaru, and the herd here in Paradise, and before she left the Bay, Liland made it abundantly clear that he did not trust Zjeena. Wasn't that the whole reason Zjeena was on house arrest and never allowed to see Rougaru again? Isn't it because she couldn't be trusted? Something must have happened to melt stubborn Liland's resolve.
The confession that follows explains everything, and it hits Zjeena like a tidal wave. Already stressed the little mare can't handle such news. She just saw Sabela. Sabela was fine. No. She won't accept it. "No." Zjeena states, shaking her head. "No.", she says more firmly, still shaking her head. Her nostrils flare now, and her breath comes in quick and panicked snatches. "It's not true." Zjeena looks at Monsters and repeats. "That's not true." Her pitch of her voice bends higher as anxiety rises in her chest.
Zjeena's continues to gasp for air at a rapid and terrified pace. She's drowning. Why is the air so thick? She can't breathe! Don't they see she can't breathe?! Zjeena eyes are wide with a mixture of terror and denial as she takes a step back. One step, and then another, and then there is a gush of fluid warm down the back of her legs and soaking her tail.