Beating Drums, Beating Hearts

ELIA

She sighed. "You know that makes no sense, right?" she said. When he opened his mouth to argue, she shook her head. "No, I'm serious, Reth. I'm not looking for reassurance here. I believe you. And I love it. I love that you act like I'm… precious. But you must know, from my perspective, it makes no sense. You have more strength and power. You have more knowledge. You're older than me—and more beautiful. We are… unequally matched. I don't doubt that you care. I just don't understand why."

He stared down at her, using one finger to press a thin strand of hair back behind her ear as he spoke, his voice little more what a whisper.

"When I was a cub—a child—I was very sure of myself," he said carefully. "I'd always been treated as if I was more valuable than everyone else. When that happens and you're young, you just believe it. It's simply the way the world is."