It was times like this that reminded Katja what it was like to have a heart. Times like this, when Val's own hurt broke Katja's heart and reminded her - love was pain. Pain, as your heart cracked and bled for the love you bore. The sharp ache in your chest with each beat, because the person you loved was hurting and it was your fault. This was why she didn't love. Hadn't loved... no one had meant this much to her in her life except Auora... Love was pain. Weakness.
How had she come to care so deeply for these children of Raisa Xanilov?
"Valeriya..." The name was breathed out on a shaken sigh. Her resolve for vengeance was unabated, and she would not put Ebony at risk by giving over custody of the pups, but there must be some way of making this right between them. Maybe the answer lay in Val's request to be able to visit. Her breath hissed out between her teeth.
Perhaps it was the willingness to trust Katja despite this, or the chipping away of Valeriya's innocence, but even though Val had said she understood Katja was acutely aware that she needed to do something to keep that faith, to be worthy of it. She was not, could never be, anything but what she was, but maybe... something had to bend or this whole thing would shatter around her already.
"How much do you trust these siblings of yours, Valkyrie?" she asked in a low, intent voice. "Are they true to their word?"
