*Dion*

It is as though she has taken her rapier to my heart.

I need to hit something, someone. Hard. Over and over, until my knuckles bleed, and my bones

crack, and the physical anguish would drown out the pain crushing my heart, the sorrow I hear

reflected in her voice, feel in her slight trembling.

I am not even certain she is aware she is shaking, like a leaf struggling to remain tethered to a branch when the wind is determined to see a

different outcome. I fight to keep my body from coiling with the need to strike out, so she will not be aware of the struggle...