home is where the sleep is

His offer left a sour taste in her mouth, and there was no tease in his voice. He seemed dead serious. So she should trade one master for another? It sounded overly complicated and she didn’t see how it was supposed to protect her from rape or auction if Oleander couldn’t shelter her from it. She decided not to respond, lest her sharp tongue encourage him to send her packing again. Pet. He lost his patience with her as easily as Oleander did.

Nor did he offer her his friendship, only a push to keep trying. It was obvious where he stood, she wasn’t a risk worth taking. She wasn’t sure why she felt old and tired in that moment. You would think she would have learned a long time ago not to open herself up to pain. Her sharp tongue was as much a protection as it was anything else. “Of course I’ll try. I want to learn to fight regardless, I just won't be getting my hopes up.’ her eyes were on the far wall still, her chaotic emotions hadn’t smoothed. “You should get some sleep.”

"Speech"