“And I can’t help it,” She sighed. “Yer words drip with nectar and I want every drop fer myself. Yer a real charmer, Tora. If I let ya, you’d charm every plant in this forest. Thas why I don’t want you talkin’ with no one else. I’m a selfish weed and I know it, but I can’t help it.”

Tora could feel his heart breaking looking at her. How badly he wanted her not to feel that way. After what Darach put Baya through though, of course she did, and he felt foolish for not realizing how his actions were hurting her. He’d been so focused on trying to make friends, he hadn’t noticed… He had to try harder for her. He needed to be better. If he could just get her to believe him, maybe she wouldn’t be so insecure. Maybe she wouldn’t feel like she had to hurt others. Maybe if he tried harder…

She took her other hand from his and held his face close to hers. He felt his heart pounding in his ears.

“I want all of you,” Baya said. “And I don’t like sharing.”

Tora swallowed hard, thinking of the dagger he’d made for her with the sculpted rose at its hilt.

If I just try harder.

He thought of Pepper’s torn, ragged face.

If I just-

The staircase.

Maybe she won’t…

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