PERSEPHONE

It had been years since Persephone had last set foot in the Lagoon. As far as she was concerned, after the events of the war, no news was good news when it came to Cullen and his cronies. Now, she didn’t even know if Cullen or any of the old bachelors were still in residence. Perhaps she had taken it a little too far – she felt a little foolish now she thought about it, for allowing her knowledge to wane so much over the years.

She had grown too complacent for her own liking.

Today, however, she had a purpose for her visit. She had promised Talya that she would try to speak with the father of her child, and in her own mind, Persephone also intended to use such a task as her opportunity to scope out this stranger. Talya was young and even more innocent and naïve than most girls her age – Persephone had no intentions of welcoming him with open arms if he gave her even the slightest impression that he was seeking to take advantage of her.

Persephone was much older and much wiser. It would be much more difficult to fool her.

And so she entered the Lagoon with a quiet determination. Even in the cool of winter, she could feel the humidity rising as she ventured into the close, damp foliage of the territory. She went only just deep enough to make it clear that she had not wandered across the border by mistake, then paused to call out and announce her presence before she bumped into anybody unannounced.

Then she waited, cautiously curious.

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh