The woman was infuriating. What she said stuck with him well beyond his release. You are wrong Corwin, and you lay the blame falsely. True we fought, but those fights were as much mine as yours. You claim I was cold hearted and never showed my love, but ask yourself how you showed yours? We both made mistakes and I am saddened that you cannot see yours. I long ago came to terms with my own. I think our largest obstacle Corwin, was that you could not settle with what I am. You claim to have loved me, but I know you never loved my Black heart. The Black Ajah is who and what I am, and who I will be until I die. I serve the Great Lord of the Dark, and yet I can still love. Because I loved you... That was the farthest he ever let his thoughts go. She had ended with a threat about following him and if she hadn't had him tied up with the Power he would have disregarded it completely. As he was forced to stand there, he had nothing to do but the think about if she was right.

 

Once he was released he got his horse and left. He didn't care about the gold, those Katanas were his, they had been with him for his entire life since he had left Arafel and he wasn't going to let the woman get away with them. But was he really beyond them. Whenever he thought of her he felt the love, but he hated himself for loving her. She was something he never thought she would love, and she was part of something that had taken Calliste and Eleanore away from him... yet he loved her all the same. She was one he felt something for he could not get rid of, no matter how hard he tried and no matter how much she hated him right now. She was the one he could never take from his heart, but that didn't mean he agreed with her life style. He had always though he didn't let her see it, but apparently he showed more than he thought.

 

He rode harder than he had ever done before to reach the Tower. He didn't take time for meditation or anything, he rode until he was about to fall out of the saddle and began riding again the moment he awoke. It still took too long, and no matter how long he pushed, he couldn't catch up to the woman. Once he reached the Tower, he observed and watched for her. He couldn't do it too much, be the infirmary was his best bet, yet she wasn't there. After two days, he went to her rooms, not caring anymore who knew he was alive, hoping to find her, but she was nowhere to be found. As he looked he saw his armor and Tulwars, suddenly he knew what would get her to speak to him again. Going to her desk he left a new note.

 

There is much we still have to speak about. It seems we are both mistaken about why things happened. I will wait where it all began for us, and unfortanately I see no other way to inspire you to come than by reclaiming the rest of my equipment. I will be waiting.

 

More than likely she would still be furious at him, but he didn't care anymore. If this was ever going to be resolved, he was going to need to speak to her and they were going to have to have a civil conversation. Their last one had been anything but, and that was partiality his fault. He had released his temper, and though it might have saved his life since he caused her to leave, it also drove her further away. Eqwina was one he didn't know how to deal with yet, at times she was like any other woman, but at others she wanted to prove her independence. To prove she didn't need him around, that she was a grown woman, and which side of her he would face he didn't know. More than likely it was going to be her independent side, but this last time it was his tongue that drove off the real side of her that was exposed, the woman that was sensitive. Most of the time she knew how to deal with him, but when that side of her was out, he almost always hurt her.  After a few minutes of thought he added one last line... he knew it wouldn't count for much, but it needed to be said.

 

I'm sorry.

 

After suiting back up and putting his Tulwars on, Corwin left to begin his journey to Arafel. The farm hopefully wouldn't have anyone there still, but only time would tell when he arrived. Before he left he thought he saw a few faces he knew, Nynaeve Sedai, though he quickly ducked away when she whipped around and went to the Yard. Liitha was training, and Corwin stood under a tree watching her for a few minutes. After she finished he began walking off, but turned around one more time. She was looking right at him, and he didn't know much more to do than to stare back some before he turned to leave one more time. Quicker than before he evaded any following and got on his horse to begin the journey. This time he during his meditations he embraced the thoughts of Eqwina and tried to figure out just what he truly did feel.

Eqwina and Kennar rode hard through the night, stopping only once for Eqwina to wash the fatigue from the horses before pushing on. Instead of heading straight for Tar Valon they took their path well wide of any rode headed North. Kennar questioned the ground eating pace and the need to head South, before veering back towards Tar Valon, but her insistence was all it took to make him ride. The little rat knew well the price of failing her.

 

Once she was sure that they were not being followed she allowed them to make their way back to the North road. It was an easy route and direct, both horses had been ridden hard and for the next two weeks she allowed them to meander at an easy pace. When the shining walls came into view, Eqwina stopped. She and Corwin on longer shared the bond, but somehow she could sense that he was there…or had been. Not wanting to risk meeting him where he Sister’s could see she stopped in Jualdhe, one of the Bridge Towns, and took two rooms at an Inn. Three days after her arrival, once she was sure that Corwin was not around she sent Kennar to her rooms to see what he could find. She had considered sending her little minion in on the first day, and realized that if the pair were to come face to face Kennar would not survive.

 

She still did not like her little killer, but she had grown used to having company and having someone to do her bidding for her and she didn’t want to sacrifice him because of a personal vendetta.

 

He brought back dire news and as the messenger had suffered when it was delivered. At hearing that the rest of his armor was taken Eqwina flew into one of her infamous rages and had lashed out at the little man. She’d bound him from head to foot and whipped him with bands of air until his back bled. She had kept going long after he’d slumped in his bonds, and it was only when she realized the franticness of his breath that she stopped.  Growling with disgust at herself as much as for the blood she’d gotten on the floor she immediately healed his wounds. “There is a price for failure Kennar, and this was not yours to take. I will make it up to you.” It had not been an apology, but it was as close as Eqwina would allow herself to come.

 

Having ridden so hard they rested a week in Jualdhe before setting out for Arafel. The Borderlands were cold this time of year and Eqwina had wanted to acquire a tent and more supplies. Where they were going you could ride for days without meeting more than a tiny cluster of houses not even deserving of the name village.

 

It had been years since she’d been back to that farm, but she could find the way blindfolded in the dark. Wisely she’d left Kennar at the last “village” they’d passed, knowing that he was not skilled enough for what she would have to face. It had caused an argument for the ages, with him only relenting after she’d used Saidar and her special weave to make him see the error of his ways.

 

Riding through the ankle deep snow she was reminded of the last time she’d been to this place. Things had seemed easier then, and yet somehow she knew they had not been. She opened the door to the abandoned farm house, and was surprised when it didn’t squeak. The tidy room was much as she remembered if in far more disrepair. Leading Nightlily she put her in the same room she’d used years ago and turned around to see Corwin standing near the fireplace. He’d been so still that she hadn’t noticed him when she’d arrived.

 

On impulse she embraced Saidar, but quickly let it go. The danger from him would not come from weapons or steal, but still she was wary. “I want what is mine Corwin. When Corwin Narshoba died what was his became mind and I will not allow you to take it just because you came back from the grave.” Her voice held none of the anger it had when they’d met in the Mountains. It was all calm and self assurance, though inside she was wary. Other emotions twitched inside her..anger, fear, lust, and destruction; all brief but each one a bonfire next to the candle of her wariness. Somehow she knew that he would not hurt her. 

 

It took days before she arrived.  His days were full of meditation to find how he really felt about Eqwina, and then training when he found a stumbling place.  For so long he felt angry that he loved her, but after a week of introspection, he finally found his answer.  For so long he had been upset that he loved her, she was from a different world than he was, but then he realized that it didn't matter.  She had lived her life, and he knew enough to know it wasn't the best of lives, and because he didn't agree with her decisions was nothing to fault her for.  The realization came when he thought of Liitha.  The girl deserved a father, and no doubt she didn't agree with the life he lived, with how he and her mother we only a fling, his hiding from his demons, and his running from Eqwina those many times.  Yet she loved him nonetheless, and he could do the same with Eqwina.  When he realized this, he found a peace within himself, something he had not felt for a long time.

 

From then on his mediation progressed by leaps and bounds, he felt a yearning to see Eqwina and talk to her again.  The dread he felt while in Katar was completely gone.  From then on the majority of his days were filled with training.  It wouldn't change a lot of things, but he needed to be on top of his skills.  It would never help with Eqwina having the Power, but if she really did kill him, he was going to be dead at the top of his abilities.  When he finally came in, he was meditating.  He felt a presence come, but didn't want to startle her, that would do nothing for what was happening, after all she would probably think he was trying to surprise attack her and then things would really be off on a bad foot.

 

I want what is mine Corwin. When Corwin Narshoba died what was his became mind and I will not allow you to take it just because you came back from the grave.

 

I see you still remember this place.  He didn't want to start the conversation off with a fight, and he felt the anger flare within him at her first words.

 

I want what is mine Corwin.

 

And what is yours?  We were once bonded, but you released that bond, and released all of my possessions from your control.  I don't want to fight with you over this.  Why do you want them so bad?

 

Eqwina was proud of how calm she was able to keep herself, even as he made a try at casual conversation. “I want what is mine Corwin.” She made no move towards him, nor him towards her. They stood half a room apart, but you could have cut the tension in the air between them with a knife. It was then that she realized that he was no less wary of her than she of him. It seemed that trust would run small today.

 

And what is yours?  We were once bonded, but you released that bond, and released all of my possessions from your control.  I don't want to fight with you over this.  Why do you want them so bad?

 

“Nor do I want to fight with you, I only wish to reclaim what was mine and allow you to go on living your death.” She moved slowly, stepping out of the darkened hallway and into the great room, she wanted him to be able to see the truth in her eyes. Still she stopped well short of the fireplace, and well out of Corwin’s reach. There was only a small worn out chair between them now; meeting his eyes she told him the unabridged truth. “ I want them because they are mine by right. Corwin Narshoba was my Warder, and my Lover and a small light in my Black heart.  In his death all that was his became mine, and since to the world he is still dead they are mine still.” It was the truth, but with all the famed Aes Sedai twisting of words. She had been twisting and turning the truth on its head for so many years now that she could hardly speak without doing so, even when she tried to speak the truth.

 

“Now I have a question for you. If you wished to be away from me so desperately, if you feared my temper, and hated my selfish ways, then why return? Why leave me clues to follow? If you wished to be dead in my heart why come back now?”

I want them because they are mine by right. Corwin Narshoba was my Warder, and my Lover and a small light in my Black heart.  In his death all that was his became mine, and since to the world he is still dead they are mine still.  Now I have a question for you. If you wished to be away from me so desperately, if you feared my temper, and hated my selfish ways, then why return? Why leave me clues to follow? If you wished to be dead in my heart why come back now?

 

More know of my life now than just you.  My possessions belong to my daughter to those who consider me dead since I was released.  Or do you pretend to others to be affected by a bond snapping?  No, I feared your temper and left because after our fight and you released the bond I saw only one reason for it, and that involved my death.  I left to stay alive and hope your temper would cool, I left the clues because I didn't wish to remain dead to you.  I could have easily taken all of my items and you would have been lost to know what happened.  I let you know I live because I never meant for this to be permanent.  The only way you would calm down instead of hunt me down was to think I was dead.  Your heart is not near Black as you think.  If it was you would have killed me when we first fought.  You are what you are, but I've seen the light in your heart.  I'm not here to give you a lecture, but I've seen your heart, and know it's true shade.  Your heart was never black toward me.  Your words struck me deep, and I have accepted who you are now, but you will never be happy with my armor and swords knowing I am alive.

 

Eqwina’s eyebrow twitched at the mention of others knowing he was alive, but other than that she gave no sign of her shock. She just continued to watch him with a serene look and a wary stance.

 

“More know of my life now than just you.  My possessions belong to my daughter to those who consider me dead since I was released.  Or do you pretend to others to be affected by a bond snapping?”

 

She must have been foolish to think that he had returned simply for her. Then why run and not take his daughter with him? “Your heart was never black toward me.  Your words struck me deep, and I have accepted who you are now, but you will never be happy with my armor and swords knowing I am alive.” For perhaps the first time in their relationship she allowed him to finish speaking before she spoke. It was a courtesy she had never considered giving him before, but speaking to him beyond the grave had given her a new sense of calm. At least since she had beaten him and done the same to Kennar. Getting her aggression out had been wise before coming face to face with her passionate past, because even now she fought surges of rage.

 

“There was no other way to be Corwin. My life is a curtain of thinly veiled lies and deceit. Too many rumors surround me already because of my weak past and my rise to power, I could not risk starting more. I had to pretend as if your death affected me as if the bond had snapped” She did not metion that her tears and been real and even without the bond she’d not had to fake the pain. “ but if others know…..” She showed her first sign of nerves and there was a slight quiver when she met his eyes. “If others truly know, and word reaches the right ears the ramifications could be catastrophic, but I suppose stilling and death will be no less than I deserve for my many crimes. Though in death the Dark Lord is a harsh master. “   Corwin appeared confused, and even went so far as to take a step towards her. He must have heard the strain and fear in her voice when she thought of the Dark Lords punishments. “Don’t you see Corwin, I told people, from my own lips that you had died. If any of those see you they will know that I lied. Me being revealed as a liar could reveal my ties and uncover the entire Black Ajah.” This time her knees did shake. The whole way here all she could think about was the nights she’d cried wishing she could have him back, and how she would handle him now, the rest had never occurred to her, but now that it had she was shaken to the core.

 

For ten years she had reined as the Head of the Supreme Council and for ten more she had sat on that Council. Never once had she made a slip or a mistake, but in was fatal fit of rage when she’d released Corwin’s bond, she may have sealed the fate of the entire Black Ajah. This would be a mistake she would pay for with her life…..

 

Listening to her concerns, Corwin's heart went out to her in a way, but this was something she had to face.  You worry where there is none.  If the person can not prove beyond their suspicions that it is me, well then you will have no fears.  No crime can be given without me personally going there.  After all, you are cunning enough to know how to get out of this, without my murder I hope.  It was putting a lot on the line, in a way her entire problem would be solved if he was truly dead, but he didn't see her taking that path.  She was emotional right now, but he didn't see her jumping to those desperate measures.

 

Stripping off the armor and Tulwars he threw them to her feet.  If that's what hast to happen so be it.

She had been foolish after he’d died, too racked with grief to think clearly. It was not common for a bond to be released, but surely telling that one truth would have saved her much trouble now. As she composed her thoughts she began to realize that with a few well timed deaths and her newly learned weave could solve the problem she faced.

 

“You worry where there is none.  If the person can not prove beyond their suspicions that it is me, well then you will have no fears.  No crime can be given without me personally going there.  After all, you are cunning enough to know how to get out of this, without my murder I hope. If that's what hast to happen so be it.”

 

Eqwina stared at the armor on the floor like she would a viper; only with far more shock that she would ever show for a snake. Looking him in the eye she regained some of her confident composure, but she didn’t reach down to pick up his ‘gift’. “First you pepper me with insults, and now you fling complements at me with apparently the same ease. I think I do not know this Corwin…” Kicking at his tulwars she looked at them a little sadly.

 

“You were right Corwin. Your armor and weapons are no longer needed.  They belong to a man who is dead; I think he would rather you or his daughter have them. I will carry them to her if you wish.” Meeting his eyes she shook her head slightly. “Look at us, having a conversation without a fight?’ Her laugh held no joy, only a dry mirth. “There are ways around every situation.” Her eyes indicated that she may have been speaking of more than her lies being revealed, but she didn’t say more. “I will find a way around you living as I have every other trouble in my life.”

 

“Answer me this do you intend to return to Tar Valon?”

 

I peppered you with insults because the only way to break through your anger was to attack the core of you.  If I hadn't I would probably still be receiving beatings today.  And no, Liitha doesn't need these.  I was never much of a father to her anyway.  Donning the armor and blades again he waited a few moments.

 

Return to the Tower?  No, that is dead to me now.  I came back to let you know I was alive, and a couple others caught sights of me, though they have no way to truly prove it was me.  You will have no issues from them.  I wouldn't return to the Tower to seal your fate regardless of how cruel you think I could be.  He could hear the sigh of relief from her.

 

I don't know what I will do, but I will find something.  You will have no worries of me showing up.  I have finished my purposed and I suppose things could have been better, but our lives are what they are.  He didn't know what he wanted now... he hadn't really planned past this point.  In his head they would have made up and he would be bonded to her, but that could never be now.

 

She stood there in silence for a bit, once he had donned the armor he had sat back down.  But there was still this tension... not the anger that had once been there, but an unsure tension.  So, what now?  Do you just want me to disappear or do you need more answers?

 

At hearing he had no intentions of returning to Tar Valon Eqwina breathed a small sigh of relief and lost herself enough to take a seat in the worn out chair. Looking into his eyes she didn’t want to believe that this could be an end, but where could they go from here? His return to the Tower would be fatal for her, but could she really let him go?

 

“I believe you were born to be the brunt of my anger Corwin. I am not sure what I will do without that. I suppose abusing Kennar is always an option, but he never puts up a fight.”She was avoiding his question, not out of spite, but because she was unsure of how to answer. So much had changed between them now. Apparently his apology had caused the last of her rage to dissipate and in its place was a sad kind of humor.  For and grown man and woman they had been worse than foolish, for an Aes Sedai and Warder they had been ludicrous. Their fights had become something of legend in the Yellow Ajah Quarters, one she was sure would follow her to the grave.

 

Getting up she walked back and took his katana’s out from her bundles. She stood staring down at them and found herself wondering why steel had been so important to her. Walking back out into the main room she walked up to him, with none of the wariness she’d felt before, and laid the weapons in his lap. “I suppose these belong with you too. You will make better use of them than I ever could. ” Looking down at him she smiled and shook her head. For a moment when their eyes met Eqwina had felt her heart begin to race with feelings that couldn’t be “If you ever want to visit I am not against a few untimely deaths. You are worth a little spilt blood.” Laughing wryly  to show that she was only half serious, she started to turn away from him. His strong hand reached out to surround her wrist, holding her in place firmly and yet gently.

 

It was as if time was frozen and she couldn’t breathe. ………

 

Before he knew it he had crossed the room to grab her wrist.  He just didn't want this to end.  After so many fights they were finally finding a point they could not fight and be around each other.  In some ways it was how he envisioned, and she had frozen from his hand.  I just... don't go yet.  Her eyes widened a bit and he could tell she was shocked he would be so forward at this point.  In so many ways it was all way too late and he should have done many of these things long ago.

 

I just... I don't know.  If...  He had nothing to follow it up.  His mind was racing over things to keep her there, but he was drawing a blank. 

 

Is this really how it's going to end? I don't know what more I really expected... it just seems like such an awkward ending...  Again he began to berate himself over his lack of tact and not knowing what to say.

 

If you ever need me... well I'll be in Mantharen again...  It wont be the closest... but if you do spill that blood and want me back well...  It was all so muddled, his mind couldn't focus on anything, just felt so frantic in some ways.

 

Looking into her eyes he began to feel lost in them.  She was so much to him, and even more now that they had worked out so many issues.  It seemed like more that he had worked them out within himself, but also that they had finally been around each other without fighting proved to him things could really work.  The circumstances that brought it about were a shame, but what was, was.  With his other hand he found himself brushing her cheek with his thumb and then found himself kissing her before he regained the self control.  After the moments had past he finally pull back.

His eyes riveted her in place as much as his grip and she hardly breathed while he tried to work out what he was trying to say. He’d always been confident and sure and unrelenting in his desire to be right. It shook her to see him so rattled and bold. 

 

Could he really be a changed man? Could she stay as she was now? Open and Honest with him? Could she live with always being afraid of another broken heart?

 

If you ever need me... well I'll be in Mantharen again...  It wont be the closest... but if you do spill that blood and want me back well...

 

Her emerald eyes stared into his and she found herself leaning into his touch and felt her lips leaning out for his kiss. It felt so familiar so much like before that she couldn’t help but sigh when he pulled away. Don’t..please!”

 

Slipping her wrist out of his hand she laced her fingers through his and used her other hand to pull his lips back down to hers. She kissed him hungrily and passionately and this time it was him that sighed when she finally pulled back. “I don’t know where we will go from here Corwin, things can’t be the way they were, but I now that I don’t want to leave you tonight…please….?”

 

She, the head of the Black Ajah, did not give in to her passion and did not beg, but her words and her eyes begged him to stay with her. As he reached down to wrap his arms around her and pull her up into his embrace she forgot all about their fights and their past….

 

***************************

 

The next morning Eqwina woke well after the sun, happy to be wrapped in his arms. Rolling over she stretched and toyed with one of his many scars.

 

“My life is still what it was, and I am still who I’ve always been since you’ve known me, but I know now that I can be all that I still love. I cannot take you back to Tar Valon, not now, maybe not ever, and I can’t stay, but perhaps the Wheel is not done with us and this is not our end?”

 

I don’t know where we will go from here Corwin, things can’t be the way they were, but I now that I don’t want to leave you tonight…please….?

 

Corwin didn't know what to make of the woman really, she had come in so guarded and now she was sending signals that she wanted what they had before.  It had taken some time for him to get past his hurt and pain he laid at her feet, but finally he felt he was beyond it, in a way he never thought that would happen though.  As she had passionately kissed him he couldn't refuse.  The woman had him more than she ever suspected, though her not realizing it was probably his own fault, he sent her so many mixed signals that it was amazing the woman still had him around.  The woman's hungry eyes bore more of her soul that he suspected she wanted to reveal.  She never did like bearing too much of herself to him.  Their night was filled with more passion than he remembered previous ones having.  Perhaps it was all the anger and frustration from before feeing into this.  It had been almost a year since she first thought he died.

 

As the sun rose he awoke, but didn't want to disturb her.  It was amazing she had forgiven him so fast.  The idea in his head of becoming bonded again right away was a bit ridiculous and any rational mind wouldn't have expected it, yet any rational mind wouldn't expect her to have forgiven him as fast as she did, not with her temper.  Per haps she was making a few changes herself.  Laying there with her back to him he gently traced her curves and her spine.  It was another hour before she awoke and snuggled next to him.  He felt a little change in her as she began to trace his scars, when she reached one of the many Shoar had left him she finally spoke up.

 

My life is still what it was, and I am still who I’ve always been since you’ve known me, but I know now that I can be all that I still love. I cannot take you back to Tar Valon, not now, maybe not ever, and I can’t stay, but perhaps the Wheel is not done with us and this is not our end?

 

When he remained silent she craned her neck to look at his face.  Kissing her lightly on the forehead he simply added I've told you where I would be.  In some ways it didn't surprise him, after all if anyone made the connection that a "random" group was killed that happened to have all been told at one point or another from Eqwina that he was dead, well that would be a bad connection to make.  Mantharen would be good enough, it was enough distance and seclusion that he should be able to live without too much issue.  Plus there were abandoned buildings, sure they would need to be fixed up to be livable again, but perhaps there were still rooms in the palace that were safe to stay in.  Part of him considered retiring to become a farmer in a near by area, but the life of a hermit suited him better.  She still looked like she wanted to hear more though.

 

I don't know what's in store for us really...  I think we'll have to cross those bridges when we come to them.  There's plenty of problems in the world you should be able to get out some.  A thought occurred to him he pounded for a few moments and then turned to look back to her.  Tell you what, I'll stay in the Black Hills instead.  That will make things a little... easier to see each other.  If you choose to come up that is.  The next few months will be a little too dangerous for me to come down, if Liitha happens to see me, well that would cause a number of problems.  I think the Black Hills sound better anyway though.

Corwin was silent for so long that Eqwina looked up at him to see if he’d fallen back asleep. They’d had an eventful night and she would be thinking about more sleep herself, if she had not left Kennar back in that tiny village. Finally when he spoke she could hear the question in his voice.

 

”…Tell you what, I'll stay in the Black Hills instead.  That will make things a little... easier to see each other.  If you choose to come up that is.  The next few months will be a little too dangerous for me to come down, if Liitha happens to see me, well that would cause a number of problems.  I think the Black Hills sound better anyway though.”

 

There had been so much between them, sometime she had been unsure if it was really love. With the way they bickered and fought no one could blame her for doubting. It was only in his death that she realized how much he’d meant to her. If she still believed in a feeble power like the Creator she would have thought he had given her a great gift. She had a chance to change and to be happy with someone..someone who could accept her allegiance and her chosen life.

 

“I have been gone so much the last few months I do not know how soon I will be able to get away. My seat in the Hall is already in question, if not my position as Yellow Ajah Head. I will find a way though..now that you have come back to life I cannot lose you again.” It seemed weird that a few hours ago she had felt so afraid of him and wary. She knew in her cold black heart that he would not hurt her, at least not physically.

 

Still how much could one man have changed? He was still the same man who had died over a year ago. A life of suspicion and intrigue flowed through her veins and she knew that she had to leave before she could convince herself that this had all been part of some grand scheme to lower her guard. Picking up the cloak they had used as a blanket she wrapped it around herself while she searched for her clothes. She had to keep talking to keep the suspicious thoughts from creeping their way back in. “It should take a little more than a week to get back to Tar Valon. When you get settled send a pigeon to let me know where you will be.” Digging into her belt pouch she pulled out a tiny cipher book she always kept on her person. Embracing Saidar she undid the ward that would cause the book the burn if any had but hers opened it, and re-wove it for both she and Corwin.  If any other hands but theirs cracked the pages the book would burst into flame and give the thief a nasty burn. “Take this, I have another in my rooms in the Tower. With it no one will have to know that the messages are from you or what they really say.”

 

“I….” Standing outside with Nightlily’s reins in her hand Eqwina suddenly was unsure of what to say. She and Corwin did not know how to speak to each other without fighting at least until yesterday and they had never had a moment without suspicion before this. Even after all she’d shared with him she could not make the words that were on her heart form. They had been tucked away and hidden for too long.

 

“Until we meet again Corwin.”