PERSEPHONE

Persephone gave a half smile at Talya’s reply, not sure whether the comment amused or worried her. However, she seemed to be listening, at least, and Persephone could sense the acceptance starting to seep in from her tone.

Persephone’s dark eyes widened slightly in surprise at Talya’s quick response to her offer to keep the father away, however. Perhaps the reaction, instinctual as it seemed, was a better litmus test for her Talya’s true feelings than her words. She titled her head a little, ears pricked forward as she listened carefully to the young girl’s words.

Her gaze flicked towards the babe at her feet, who was now snuffling and searching hungrily for his next meal. The child deserved to know who his father was, and – providing he wasn’t a dangerous man – perhaps even to spend time with him.

“I’m sure he would. Anyone would be a fool not to, Talya.”

At the mention of the Lagoon, however, Persephone could not help but feel a sense of trepidation creep over her. She did not have the best history with the gang of bachelors that lived there, although it had been a long time since her clash with Cullen and his cronies. She bit her tongue on the matter, however – now was not the time. She was level-headed enough to give the stranger a chance to prove his character, for Talya’s sake.

“Frey,” she repeated, turning the name over in her mind without recognition. “And he always treated you kindly – until then?”

She waited for an answer. If it was what Talya wanted, she would see what she could do about finding him. Besides, she wanted to talk to him, to see if she could interpret his true intentions.

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh