Pregnant.

Once the word is uttered, there is no going back. It hangs in the air between them, heavier than the sound of the rain pattering all around them or the weight of the chilled air in Evren's lungs. She watches the tiny microexpressions flit across Persephone's face as the mare processes this news. Evren knows she should be present in this moment, but strangely, all she can think about is the day months ago when she had realized she might truly hurt Persephone some day. Evren had always been too impulsive, too volatile, even after years of reigning herself in for the sake of the life she had nurtured here in the Forest -- years of Persephone comforting her, placating her, cleaning up her messes.

Had it been a self-fulfilling prophecy? Had some part of her wanted this moment? This is who I am, she finds herself wanting to say. Do you see me? Do you finally understand?

Instead, she cries.

It's some moments before she's able to collect herself. When her bloodshot eyes find Persephone again, she heaves a shuddering breath. "It's... not important," she finally says, her voice thin and breathless. She cannot maintain eye contact for long; her copper gaze flits here and there like a nervous bird. "All you need to know is that... I chose this. I have no excuse. I could say it was about Aysu, and realizing I wanted another child... but it wasn't even about that. I just..."

She heaves another heavy breath and stares into the distance, her eyes watching the leaves shiver in the rainfall but not seeing it. The humidity is uncomfortable, and her forelock is plastered to her face like a half-shed snake skin, but it feels faraway, unimportant. "I was unfaithful to you. To us. You deserve better. I'm sorry, Sephy." Her eyes flutter closed, and her head sinks low. Now that the words are out, the tension she's been carrying for months has melted away, leaving only a cold, strange sense of relief.

She waits in silence for the guillotine.