PERSEPHONE

Persephone gritted her teeth a little as an awkward silence fell upon them for a moment. This was not a situation she had ever been in before, nor had she ever expected to be in it. She tried to push down the faint shadow of resentment towards Evren for putting her in this position that threatened to rear its ugly head.

She couldn’t quite summon enough good will to agree with Solomon’s hopes when he next spoke, but she did manage a nod of what she hoped was passable polite agreement. She shifted her weight a little, trying to cool the bundle of nervous energy in her stomach.

What Solomon had to say next, however, was if not more interesting, at least easier for Persephone to focus on – at least for a moment. She remembered Rougaru from the war, and not fondly. Her ears pricked and she focused properly at last. If he was causing trouble with other herds, the Forest could easily be next – particularly if, as Solomon seemed to expect, Evren’s child might be a target on his radar.

She stiffened a little at that implication and dropped her gaze for a moment. So his identity as the father was confirmed, and apparently he didn’t know about the child. Persephone was quiet a moment, unsure how to respond.

She forced herself to meet his gaze again, her tone clipped and careful.

“I am sorry to hear about your daughter. I will…” She trailed off a moment, begrudging the acknowledgement she was being forced to make. This was not an announcement that was not her place to give, nor one she took any joy in sharing in this particular awkward situation. With some determination, she forced herself to continue.

“I will tell Evren to be careful.”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh