PERSEPHONE

Persephone’s heart twinged at the mention of Roheryn’s name. She presumed that the stallion’s recent passing explained most of the stranger’s emotional state. She gave an understanding bob of her head as the mare excused herself and moved away to take some space. Persephone was about to ask if one of them should follow her, turning her gaze back towards the men, when the younger stallion called after her.

“Yes, go,” Persephone agreed with a nod of her head as Zevulun encouraged him to follow.

She returned her focus to Zevulun then and they shared an easy smile. Looking at his face again, he reminded her so much of Mariael. The nostalgia twisted in her stomach as she remembered those times with bittersweet fondness. She gave a short, soft laugh.

“It has, too long,” she replied warmly.

His next question surprised her a little. It had been years since she had heard that name, she had not expected to hear it again today. The memory of Freya and the day Persephone had comforted her during the birth of her son came flooding back with vivid detail. She had exchanged her own freedom for Freya’s before, back when Warsaw was a terror walking the islands.

“No,” she replied sadly, pushing away the thought. “I’m afraid not. She hasn’t lived here for a long time, I’m not sure what happened to her after she left.”

She paused a moment.

“You come bringing a lot of old memories,” she said. “What is it that brought you back here to the islands, if you don’t mind me asking?”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh