PERSEPHONE

There was something about the call that caught Persephone’s attention especially, the tiniest prick of familiarity. She pursued it swiftly, somewhat warier of visitors since Evren once more had a young daughter to protect. Dead leaves, petrified with frost, crunched underfoot and fallen twigs snapped against the hard ground as she moved, announcing her arrival long before she emerged from the dense shadows of the Forest and found a trio of pale horses at the edges of her territory.

At first, Persephone did not recognise any of them. Her dark eyes flicked between each of them – two stallions, one younger than the other, and one mare whose appearance and body language gave out an air of clear distress. But then, after a few moments of stunted realisation, her gaze was drawn back to the older stallion. His face, it was not unfamiliar…

“Zevulun,” she said softly.

Mariael’s brother, who she had met briefly all those years ago. The memory of her friend warmed her heart. She had been one of the first and closest relationships Persephone had developed on the islands. She had missed her deeply when she had first disappeared. Eventually, Persephone had had to let go of the hope that she might return – but now, here was her kin, after all this time.

It was a pleasant surprise, another light appearing to guide her out of darker times.

“It’s been a while.” A soft smile spread across her lips. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

She turned her gaze to his companions, her expression turning curious once more. The mare’s appearance was somewhat concerning she thought with a tilt of her head.

“What’s going on, did something happen?”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh