The blood you bleed Is just the blood you owe

His gift was more jagged than she might yet know. It was a tool, useful in helping her source herbs for healing and cooking. A spy, to ensure even when he wasn’t there, his asset was obeying. Lastly, it impacted him less If he was forced to permanently damage the owl, instead of her when she disobeyed him. Once she was fully bonded with the creature, of course. Perhaps in time she would come to realise his gifts were cursed.

In the meanwhile, she was overcome with what he had given her. He allowed her to have it, and she accepted it with gratitude. Taking a moment to appreciate the gift, before turning her attention to him. His body shivered as the small wolf bent low, kissing his paw, his ankle, raising her head higher as her lips brushed his arm. Heat pooled into his eyes, as his body remembered what it was denied. “How much do you appreciate your gift?” He whispered to his Demelza.


"Speech"