[numbed with shock, senmut held her, eyes closing as his arms tightened. a sob rose, but he killed its sound before she was able to hear it. what has happened? tell me. surely what has been done can be undone or explained. there were few moments in which the priest had felt fatherly, save for the great love he bore aiesha always. to have her close again reminded him of how he and she and nazli had been a trio of force in their own world, a three-cornered plinth which had cupped their happiness until it was overflowing. until it had overflowed and wasted, until there was nothing left. he held her. he did not let himself think upon these things or long for those protected red walls wherein she had truly been safe. he had left her. he had left legend. senmut fought the shaking of nerves and self-hatred that threatened now.]

numbed with shock, senmut held her, eyes closing as his arms tightened. a sob rose, but he killed its sound before she was able to hear it. what has happened? tell me. surely what has been done can be undone or explained. there were few moments in which the priest had felt fatherly, save for the great love he bore aiesha always.

to have her close again reminded him of how he and she and nazli had been a trio of force in their own world, a three-cornered plinth which had cupped their happiness until it was overflowing.

until it had overflowed and wasted, until there was nothing left.

he held her. he did not let himself think upon these things or long for those protected red walls wherein she had truly been safe.

he had left her. he had left legend. senmut fought the shaking of nerves and self-hatred that threatened now.