In the brief lull before Vita Nova answers her questions, Evren’s heart speeds up to an erratic pace, lending a wild drum beat to the melody of the stream beside her, though she keeps her expression as cool and composed as she can. She is hoping for any mention of Warsaw, how he fares, whether he has any intention of giving the Forest more trouble, or even whether Vita Nova is still with him.
What Vita offers, however, is a vague and brief statement. Her reluctance to delve into any detail is understandable, and Evren wonders if perhaps Vita doesn’t want to spoil the joy of their reunion with more serious matters so quickly, but equally, Evren feels almost consumed by the need to know. She hides her impatience as best as she can, nodding and offering sympathetic smiles where appropriate, but very quickly - too quickly - she finds the conversation turned in her direction once more.
For a moment her eyes shy away from Vita Nova’s at the mention of Shamwari, and she feels heat creeping into her cheeks. With a sheepish grin, she lets out a short laugh that’s little more than a heavy exhale. “Your brother and I… that’s complicated. I didn’t really expect it either. We clash so often, but I think it’s because we’re so similar. Rest assured the kids weren’t exactly… planned. But Sham’s an excellent father. In fact, he’s the sire of Persephone’s girls as well. We’re one big family, sort of.”
Her amber-brown eyes search Vita’s face as she wonders how her friend will receive this information. For a moment, she considers hinting at the relationship that’s blossomed with Persephone in order to put to rest any suspicions in Vita’s mind of a continued relationship with Shamwari, but the words die before they can leave her tongue. It’s too soon: too new and vulnerable. Instead, she changes tack.
“Do you have many kids of your own? I remember little Nyah from that time we ran into each other on the Crossing all those years ago. Did you and Warsaw ever have any?” Evren smiles placidly, as though even just speaking his name does not cause her discomfort.
11; mutt; bay tobiano; 15.3hh |
