Jigano truly had not expected Sunjata to say the words aloud after how Maea had described their relationship's status in the Wildwood. Rocky. The Flood wanting more and Maea trying desperately to give it, but breaking herself trying to reach accommodation with a man who barely bent. A one-sided affair where Sunjata took what the pale woman gave so freely but gave little back in return.
He had been angry on her behalf then. He wanted to be angrier now, now that it was too late and Sunjata could say what he pleased - for who could say differently how their last meeting had gone?
But he found his bitter tongue silenced by the simple declaration, grief and sincerity balanced and bleeding in Sunjata's eyes. He drew a breath as if to snipe back at the Flood, but it caught in his throat as he was reminded that however low his opinion of the man was at the moment, Sunjata was mourning, too.
Eyes returned to the storm, he listened taut-jawed and laconic. "Peace? What peace?" It was far too early to speak of such a thing when the edges were so raw and the pain so fresh.
He had been angry on her behalf then. He wanted to be angrier now, now that it was too late and Sunjata could say what he pleased - for who could say differently how their last meeting had gone?
But he found his bitter tongue silenced by the simple declaration, grief and sincerity balanced and bleeding in Sunjata's eyes. He drew a breath as if to snipe back at the Flood, but it caught in his throat as he was reminded that however low his opinion of the man was at the moment, Sunjata was mourning, too.
Eyes returned to the storm, he listened taut-jawed and laconic. "Peace? What peace?" It was far too early to speak of such a thing when the edges were so raw and the pain so fresh.
