Table for Three

Ashe remember why you started.    The raven crowed something like a laugh, and he explained. At first, her pelt bristled at the very thought of a threat upon Kalt. She would tear apart anyone that dared if he didn't first. But what did that have to do with her? And then... and then she remembered.    The spire. The standoff between Natural and Outlander in the wake of one of the worst losses Ashe had ever endured. Her grief. Her desperation. Her wrath. And Rory. That was... Jigano's mate? All at once, she understood why the loreseeker hated her so much.    The wolf huffed and nodded her head, licking her jaws as her claws extended into the blood-soaked soil. Truth be told, she had forgotten about Rory. A blip in her lifetime of violence and pain. She had threatened him, and she had moved on. There had been bigger things to worry about than a farm boy who stood in her way.  She hadn't thought... hadn't realized...    I hadn't thought it would hold much merit, she admit, her voice troubled. I don't... The wolf sighed, glancing up at the sky. I don't want to kill your mate. I... probably wouldn't have, even then. The fuck was she doing, admitting an empty threat? She was silent a moment before looking back at Jigano, her next words genuine, but hard to get out all the same. Ronin is my brother. One of the few people in this or any world that I love. Then the demon, and he... She saw a blinding flash, felt the impact, saw him rising to the stars. Her heart raced, and she charged on. Getting into the Spire.. I didn't care about this world. About what was right. I only cared about getting the barrier down so that I could retrieve him from the Gods. It was a selfish need.    She looked back at Jigano, golden eyes solemn. Grief does not leave much room for rationality. I'm sorry. She didn't say it expecting forgiveness. When had she ever expected forgiveness from... anyone? She had stopped looking for it as a child, knowing there was no forgiveness to be had for a monster like her. Know that your mate is safe. I would protect him before I would hurt him.