we drank moonbeams from oily skies
V
ervain's gaze drew sharply to her father as he nickered comfortingly. It was a struggle to not let her mask falter as a fresh wave of guilt washed through her. How could she assume the worst in a man who had always been a shining example of kindness? Velaris was unaware of the struggle taking place within her dam and smiled broadly at Zevulun and then Castillon as the older male pulled him into the conversation. It succeeded in distracting the filly while Vervain looked on with an indecipherable expression on her face.
The gentle sound of a question pulled the mare's attention from the scene before her. Nephilim was looking at her steadily. Could he see the exhaustion so clearly in the lines of her features? Could he see the signs of overwhelm in her eyes and shifting body? No one yet knew the depth of her isolation this last year, or what she'd experienced. All they knew was that she had been taken, and now Velaris was here. They didn't know the mare had only seen two souls in all that time. They couldn't know how the gathering was filling her with mounting anxiety as they all pressed in around her and her daughter.
Words failed the black mare. She
was tired, but the thought of being separated from her daughter made her stomach clench fiercely. She wanted to say no or that she was fine, but Zevulun offered for Cas and Aura to take care of Vela for a little while. Honey eyes flickered from Zevulun to the little filly before the faces of the others. They were safe here. This was the Prairie. She could trust that Velaris would be safe out of her sight, couldn't she? Vervain chewed gently on her lower lip. The thought made her anxious, but a soft, albeit nervous smile briefly settled on her lips.
Her eyes turned to Castillon tentatively. Technically, their father had volunteered him to babysit. Would it be imposing to agree? The possibility of sleep was tempting, especially uninterrupted. She hadn't had a moment truly to herself in a painfully long time...
Only if you're sure,"
Vervain acquiesced, looking straight at Castillon for any sign of refusal. Daire hummed gently at her side, blowing warm air from her nostrils as she gently lipped at her daughter's mane. It was placating to have her mother so close after wanting to be home with her for so long.