Light and the Night Sky

His Pace

Riven walked beside her, keeping some distance between them. He looked at her face, his eyes narrowing. “Explain.”

Daphne met his eyes, swallowing back her thoughts then huffed out a light laugh. “Right. You can smell my emotions. I keep forgetting that, you can smell lies too, right?” She said, avoiding answering his question.

“That is correct.” His eyes were guarded, now that Daphne was looking, she could see that he was expressive.

Smiling weakly, she tilted her head to the side. “Good, that’s good. Riven I can’t control what I feel sometimes, and I don’t always want to explain it because it causes uncomfortable situations. I am not going to stop you from asking, but I would like you to know that doesn’t mean I will always answer. Is that, ok?”

Riven stared at her for what felt like too long before he sat on the bench next to her. “Very well.”

Silence followed as the sun rose, Daphne watched it feeling the chill in the air lessen. She was confused and surprised that Riven stayed, perhaps he had taken it upon himself for take guard duty of the false one?

With a sign, she looked over at him. “You’re over seven hundred years old?” Riven slowly looked away from the sunrise and met her eyes, his eyes now looking like a crisp orange in the morning sun, reflecting the colorful morning sky. “You’re so old.” Daphne made a face then turned away with a smile, if she had to make peace then she would at least try and change his mind about humans. Or the light bringer, if she was lucky both.

“To humans a child of one hundred is old.” He said sternly.

Frowning at him, she asked “How many humans do you talk to?”

Riven met her eyes with disinterest. “We have human servants.”

“Oh, so you have conversations with your servants often?”

“When the need arises.”

Turning toward him, she put her elbow on the back of the bench and placed her face on her palm. “Pray tell, what do you talk about?”

His eyes narrowed as he looked at her, a lock of brown hair fell onto his forehead. “Many things.”

Fighting back a smile, Daphne tilted her head to the side. “Let’s go find a human servant, I would love to hear you talk about these ‘many things’ with them.”

“There not human servants in the Court of Morvanna.” His jaw was tight, Daphne could see his body stiffening. She did her best to stay relaxed.

“Not many people tease you, do they? Or do you lose your sense of humor the older you get?” Daphne asked with a smile.

Insult crossed his eyes as he turned to her fully, “I have humor, for those that are close.”

Leaning forward, she opened her eyes wide. “Like your girlfriend Iridessa?”

He was on his feet with eyes narrowed. “I do not know what that means but the insinuation is insulting. She is dear to me.”

Leaning over, Daphne patted the bench. “Riven, I am teasing. You looked stressed and I was hoping to loosen you up. Clearly joking is not your thing. I am sorry. Ask me anything, and I will answer what I am comfortable. If that will help you relax.”

Riven stared at her, calculating many things before he slowly sat back down. “Iridessa is healing quickly.” He said bluntly.

Daphne watched him for a moment and nodded slowly, so that was why he was out here. He distrusted her but was grateful for saving his friend. Sadness creeped in as she realized how much betrayal he must have experienced in his long life to have this much hatred toward someone that is saving his friend.

“Explain.” His jaw was clenched as he watched her.

He must have scented her sadness. “That emotion is difficult to explain.” Daphne shifted to look over the ravine, watching the morning sky. The tree tops were a warm glow as they reflected the light of the morning sun. “Your friend was healed by someone you distrust; you have no reason to trust truthfully. Your actions tell me how often you have been betrayed, so your volatility makes a bit more sense now. I mourn for the life you have had.”

A low growl came from his throat. “I do not want your pity.”

Slowly looking back at him she smiled at him lightly. “It is not pity Riven, sadness and pity are two different things. The difference is something humans are forced to learn because we have so little time.” Standing up, she turned to him. “I have decided that for my very short life, I will not be part of your pain. You have had enough of it. It might take the rest of my life to earn your trust, but that is something I am willing to do.”

Riven sat there, the morning sun illuminating every emotion he tried to hide. Anger, confusion, frustration and finally fear. “No.”

A smile cracked on her face, she pulled her hands behind her back and leaned forward so they were eye level. “I hope you change your answer one day Riven. I will be as open as I can be, but I won’t force my presence on you. That I promise.” Stepping back from him, she began to walk away. “I am going to go visit Iridessa, I would like to see her myself.”

Daphne made it a few feet and she felt a light breeze on her right, confused she glanced back to see Riven behind her. He did not meet her eyes but picked up his pace so they were matching their stride. After a moment she realized Riven likely joined her because he did not trust her alone with his friend.

His pace, she had to move at his pace.