PERSEPHONE

Persephone’s dark eyes widened as she took in Evren’s words. For a second she felt a spot of guilt, that she had been so wrapped up in her own concerns that she hadn’t even noticed Evren’s own troubles. But then a smile curled her lips, and her expression softened – both the pleasure from receiving Evren’s news, and the relief of sharing her own combining to leave her more relaxed than she had felt in weeks.

Before she could congratulate Evren, however, her companion’s nervous laugh made her hold her tongue a minute longer. Persephone waited patiently for her friend’s gaze to return to her, and when it did, it glittered with tears. The words that came then were a shock, to be sure.

Shamwari and Evren? The thought would never have occurred to Persephone alone, especially not after their recent argument – but then again, her life seemed to be full of unexpected surprises lately. The idea felt… strange almost. But she was soon distracted by the much more exciting revelation that their children would be siblings.

They would be even more like a family than they already were.

Persephone felt the prick of tears in her own eyes, unexpectedly touched by the thought.

“Yes,” she replied, the smile returning to her lips. “Yes, they will.”

And then she laughed also, uncertain and restrained at first, then let it dissolve into a carefree chuckle. There was something to be said about getting things off your chest. And there was something to be said about this strange situation which had, somehow, brought this strange kind of joy into their lives.

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh