I can do this all day.
Her question grated against the insecurities he was still working through, the ones that screamed that he wasn't 'strong enough,' or 'brave enough,' or just 'enough.' That he hadn't been able to stop his own death, so how did he expect to protect anyone else? He visibly winced at the barb, Sol's growl deepening as he felt the pain that flared through the bond. It was a stronger sound than anything the Dragoon had ever heard from him, and Zavien had to reach out a soothing hand to keep him from lunging for Maea. She was obviously in some kind of pain, so he'd hate to have his dragon only aggravate her further for speaking the truth, just because it hurt his tender feelings.
Taking a deep, stabilizing breath against his own wounds, he tried to push aside those self-deprecating emotions to focus on the Ancient throwing a tantrum in the middle of the woods. His voice was calm, growing stronger with decision. "My mother taught me it was rude to stare at women." Would she prefer he stare? It didn't really make sense to him, and he didn't really think Lena would appreciate him looking at naked women in the middle of a forest. But that wasn't the only reason, and he added softly, "Especially when they want to cry." He ignored the splash of water and the steaming droplets that splattered near him, threatening to burn his skin. Only his reassuring hand against Sol's head gave the dragon enough control not to attack in return, simultaneously giving Zavien the fortitude to stay despite the verbal barrage.
Taking a deep, stabilizing breath against his own wounds, he tried to push aside those self-deprecating emotions to focus on the Ancient throwing a tantrum in the middle of the woods. His voice was calm, growing stronger with decision. "My mother taught me it was rude to stare at women." Would she prefer he stare? It didn't really make sense to him, and he didn't really think Lena would appreciate him looking at naked women in the middle of a forest. But that wasn't the only reason, and he added softly, "Especially when they want to cry." He ignored the splash of water and the steaming droplets that splattered near him, threatening to burn his skin. Only his reassuring hand against Sol's head gave the dragon enough control not to attack in return, simultaneously giving Zavien the fortitude to stay despite the verbal barrage.
Zavien
