This time Rowena's face paled. Vione's questions cornered her. The calm expression she usually wore was now gone, replaced by fear and hesitation. Her mouth opened and her lips quivered as if she wanted to say something, but not a word came out. Her hands, cold in Vione's grasp, and the inner turmoil reflected in her eyes told a different story.

"Vi-Vione." Rowena took a deep breath and finally whispered. Her voice was almost choked by the emotions that constricted her chest. "There are things we shouldn't change, even if we want to with all our hearts." She shook her head, trying to explain as gently as possible. "Fate is...