Malachai nodded, a quiet acknowledgement of her reasoning. It was wise—painful, but wise. A sign that she was beginning to grasp just how insidious the demon’s influence could be. He had hoped for progress, and here it was, though it came wrapped in the sharp edges of loss and uncertainty.
He meant it. Kaczor’s sorrow, her desperation—none of it mattered in the face of Novella’s survival. Sentiment had no place here, not when it had already nearly cost her everything.
At her next question, his expression shifted, something almost unreadable passing through his gaze. Reflection, perhaps. He studied her for a long moment before answering.
The words carried weight, though they were spoken without embellishment. Bastards like them had been raised to be useful, not to be loved. Affection was a privilege afforded to those who were wanted, who were considered worthy of it. He had never expected it for himself. And he had never prepared her for it, either. Camaraderie, perhaps, but maybe that had been his failure.
It wasn’t false hope. He didn’t offer empty reassurances, never had. But he had seen her at her worst, had bound her hands to keep her from tearing herself apart, had watched her mind teeter on the edge of something irreparable. And yet, here she was—still standing, still fighting, still holding on.
@Novella Tilani
Her feelings are not my concern,he said plainly, his voice even.
Yours, and your well-being, is.
He meant it. Kaczor’s sorrow, her desperation—none of it mattered in the face of Novella’s survival. Sentiment had no place here, not when it had already nearly cost her everything.
At her next question, his expression shifted, something almost unreadable passing through his gaze. Reflection, perhaps. He studied her for a long moment before answering.
The loss of a first love is never easy, especially to those of us who’ve never really experienced it in our lives.
The words carried weight, though they were spoken without embellishment. Bastards like them had been raised to be useful, not to be loved. Affection was a privilege afforded to those who were wanted, who were considered worthy of it. He had never expected it for himself. And he had never prepared her for it, either. Camaraderie, perhaps, but maybe that had been his failure.
This time is more difficult,he admitted, shifting his stance.
The loss of the veil and your magic awakening have only compounded the issue, but you are slowly improving.
It wasn’t false hope. He didn’t offer empty reassurances, never had. But he had seen her at her worst, had bound her hands to keep her from tearing herself apart, had watched her mind teeter on the edge of something irreparable. And yet, here she was—still standing, still fighting, still holding on.
You’ll get through this,he said at last, firm in his conviction.
One way or another.
@Novella Tilani
02-06-2025, 02:27 PM
