[ It is cruelty, she knows. Cruelty feared by women, that she knows at least Athessa knows, and the accusation that took a home.

Surely they could not have known when they spoke. Surely they spoke in anger, in fear of their own shadows, but to wear those shadows so often how could he not begin to believe that parts of them must be his. Especially when it comes from ones thought friends; ones he perhaps thought knew enough of him.

She turns her face into his hair and pulls his head gently into the press of her lips before murmuring there. ]

You could never. I know it as I know the sun rises. That there are two moons. That roses cut will wither, and if I drop a cup it falls. That is how I know.

[ His hair smells like the last fading notes of her perfume, and of his, and she holds herself to him and him to her. ]

But it is poison in you and you should say it if you can.