and as you leave there are children playing at your feet

Theo kept as much control of herself as Poem did, which wasn’t. The girls cried and held tightly to each other as grief and sorrow settled over their tall frames. Tears fell in abundance as Shaye’s presence was horribly missed. Poem still didn’t want to believe it was true, her mother was gone. Ripped away and there was nothing she could do about it.

She hadn’t thought much about Sirius and the Armada until Theory spoke pleadingly with her. Dealing with death was difficult enough, and she had yet to tell her sister how it was Motif was returned, and what was expected of her. She had to return eventually, even though it hurt to do so. She didn’t want to do this now, and really didn’t want to at all, but she’d made a deal.

Reluctantly she pulled away from her sister, tears still flowing and her heart aching. ”Theory…” She tried to find her sibling’s gaze, to share with her all of the emotions, and trials, and misfortune between them. ”I’ve done something terrible.” She obviously hadn’t caught the pack scent upon her. She sighed heavily and with shame. ”Motif was being held captive.” As they had suspected. ”I tried my hardest to fight for her, I should have waited for Tato, I should have called for someone’s help..” She hadn’t been strong enough. She had failed. ”I lost, the only reason we’re here now is because he was willing to make a deal.”

Her words were interrupted by sobs and hiccups as she explained with obvious regret and more heartbreaking sorrow. ”I traded places with Motif, I’m serving in her stead for a year.” Only slightly less than a year at this point, but it was still too long. She should have been here with Theory. With her family, and where her mother had wished to see her stand. Shaye would have been so disappointed..