Futile, and in the end the only one who'd end up bloody is yourself.
"I sometimes have nightmares about all the things I would have missed if I remained in my bubble. If the first time I saw Sebastian, I fled because I feared what he'd do once I freed him."
Orion didn't respond.
Eva nodded. His mind was made up. Very well.
She could say all she needed to say. Maybe it wouldn't make a difference today, but maybe one day it would open a door to something unexpected.
“You’re judging them for doing something that is only natural. If it was your lands these cicadas, or whatever they are called, invaded, you and the Kyren would have done the exact same thing even if it meant breaking a promise.”
We would have fought to defend our lands.
Eva’s laugh was more of a scoff. “Not right away. You would have evacuated your young and weak before making any move against the enemy. Tell me you wouldn’t.”
He couldn’t, and he knew it.
The Kyren were a mystery to Eva in many ways, but in this case she knew how they’d react and what steps they would take. She’d said it before—they were a lot like the Trateri.
And like the Trateri, they would act to preserve their future before facing the threat head on. How could they blame the Trateri for doing the exact same thing?
No one ever said the Trateri were permanently abandoning the valley. Caden was more likely to retreat to protect their assets before returning to solve the threat.
Eva, there are things you don’t understand because we haven’t told you. Things that are happening below the surface. Until we have trust between our two peoples there is no way forward.
“You’re afraid,” Eva said in sudden understanding.
There was an undercurrent of the emotion running through every word Orion spoke. Subtle but there. Impossible to mistake once you knew where to look.
There was something in the situation she wasn’t seeing. A reason beyond what was said for their uneasiness.
The Trateri’s actions were just an excuse. A flimsy one at that.
The herd’s opinions on this matter are split. The only thing everyone agrees on is the fact the Trateri and the Kyren are being tested. We don’t know what the future will hold but for now the Kyren plan to watch and see what unfolds before deciding our course,Orion told her, his gaze penetrating.
And in so doing, they left the Trateri to face the danger alone.
Frustration boiled in Eva, making her bolder than she would have been normally. “I let fear control me far longer than I should have, and now you’re doing the same.”
Some days she wasn't sure she'd ever be fully free of its touch. Always expecting the worst of people.
She was doing it now, if she was honest. A part of her afraid that when she went back the Trateri would see her as useless and excise her.
"You judge the Trateri for what theymightdo rather than what they've actually done. That’s no way to live. By doing this, you’re giving your enemies exactly what they want.”
I'm sorry, Eva. This is the course we've chosen. Human lives have never concerned us. For the Kyren to act in the Trateri’s interests, we need a reason. So far you have given them no proof you can be the person we need you to be.
Eva’s gaze dropped to the ground as emotion strangled her throat. She didn’t understand. What’s more, she feared she would never understand.
If they would stop with all the cryptic words and simply tell her what was needed, she could work herself to the bone to provide it.
“This isn’t fair. You’re placing expectations on me without telling me what they are.”
I know.Orion took a step toward the edge and paused.You should know—I still hold hope you can find your way.
Orion's wings extended as he dropped, gliding through the air. His white coat shown in the night with an almost ethereal glow.
When he was gone, the dam Eva kept on her emotions cracked. Then broke.
