fa’liya inclines her head once. it does not take a genius to know what the chieftain means to imply.
another breath claws at her chest and she reins it in, ribs aching with the effort. the urge to cough is sharp and immediate. she buries it, throat burning as she forces the air back down. even if she has already made her weakness known, she will not burden him outright by allowing him to watch her suffer.
her eyes track the herd again, tracing the line of bodies as they move and graze, calves tucked close. she watches the way the mothers position themselves without thought. the automatic instinct to protect reminds the girl swiftly of her mother.
i know it. strength is in their blood,she breathes, voice roughened by altitude and lack of breath.
another breath claws at her chest and she reins it in, ribs aching with the effort. the urge to cough is sharp and immediate. she buries it, throat burning as she forces the air back down. even if she has already made her weakness known, she will not burden him outright by allowing him to watch her suffer.
her eyes track the herd again, tracing the line of bodies as they move and graze, calves tucked close. she watches the way the mothers position themselves without thought. the automatic instinct to protect reminds the girl swiftly of her mother.
we will be ready,she adds after a moment. she is careful to reassure him without the direct promise of i. she finally looks at him then—really looks. there is no accusation in it, no plea. only the hard, tired want to be seen as sufficient. to be her father's daughter.
how is iglux?