Something about apples, falling, and trees?

His fear for her safety left him sharper than he would have been, and her tears only added to the issue. Now she was half blinded up high enough to hurt herself if she tumbled. He found himself growing frustrated with her, though she was still so young. “Selene, enough silliness, come to the edge of the shelf right now.” he ordered her.

His voice, as it always did when he issued commands, took on an authority that warned against defiance. He couldn’t reach her where she had sunk into the back of the board, or at least he wouldn’t be able to get a secure grip on the back of her neck.


"Basilisk"