Though no blood was shared between them, Zevulun couldn’t help but feel like he was standing and talking with his sister when he spoke with Persephone. It wasn’t a particularly new realization, but it hit him a bit hard as she offered to take him in if he wound up needing it. Zevulun smiled at her and gave a chuckle, shaking his head at himself and the predicament he’d made for himself.
As the bay and white mare started talking again, Zevulun lifted his head and perked his ears toward her, listening carefully. I expect the woman is scared and confused, but don’t give up trying to address it with her. He nodded in a wordless promise that he wouldn’t. He would keep trying to find a way to talk with Riesling and finally figure out what had happened between them and apologize for any wrong he may have done. To Balor, too.
The truth will out sooner or later if she is in foal, and I can’t expect Balor’s reaction will improve any if she continues to put it off. Zevulun sighed at that. Persephone was right.
I know from experience it hurts more to be the last to know.
He looked at her quietly and offered a small, warm, sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry.” For whatever pain she’d gone through in her past to make her know what this felt like. Even though he’d had no involvement, nor did he know details, he did know how hard going through heartache could be.
Zevulun took a breath and glanced back the way he’d come. “Well, speaking of the Prairie, I suppose I should get back.” Maybe he’d be brave enough to seek out Riesling or Balor.
Maybe.
“Oh, before I forget,” he swung his head back to her, “there’s a new stallion in the Savanna who goes by Viđarr. He seems like a good man.” Zevulun knew Persephone would make up her own mind and he’d always defer to her judgment, but if he could help alleviate her worries about a new neighbor, he would.
Zevulun took a small step away and paused again, thought for a moment and turned his head toward Persephone. “Would you be… opposed to me getting to know Sabran a little better?” Zevulun normally didn’t ask first. He let his heart take him wherever he wanted and faced the consequences later. That wouldn’t be fair to Persephone, would it? He couldn’t deny he had some… feelings for the beautiful young mare. “I told her I’d escort her to Tinuvel and show her around, and she expressed interest in seeing it.” More than that, and Zevulun hoped he could show Sabran every island and watch her eyes light up as she explored them for the first time. “I know she’s an adult and can do as she pleases but,” a sheepish grin crawled over his mouth, “I’d feel awkward if you didn’t want me…” Sniffing around her young, eligible daughters? “...taking your daughter to a different island.”
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