ELIA
Elia waited a long moment. She could feel Aymora laying on the furs next to her, bracing. Readying herself to tell a story that was clearly painful for her.
She knew Aymora had lost her mate, but she'd never heard why. But now, after this separation from Reth, she had only a glimpse of the pain it must have caused Aymora. She couldn't imagine being in that place with nowhere to go. No way to ever see—to even hope to see—her mate again.
Elia shuddered.
"I do not wish to feed your fear, Elia," Aymora said quietly.
Elia shook her head and squeezed her hand. "You won't. I was shivering for you. I can't… I can't imagine it."
Aymora sighed heavily. "I would not wish this pain on anyone, Elia, it's true. Not even the worst of my enemies."
Elia waited. Aymora shifted her head on the pillow. When she spoke her voice was soft and… happy. A lightness to it that Elia had never heard in her before. As if she were a girl again.
