[ He wants to hate her, wants to rage at the sky and the sea and howl his anguish so loudly that their ancestors will hear and come back from wherever they've gone. But he can't, not when his twin has endured so much, both from his hands and the neglect of their father. The father he slew.

There's something oddly soothing about that, even as he recoils from it, knowing his people had a champion no matter how dark and twisted his soul becomes in the future. It is what he was trained for - the defense of the clan. Of those who took allegiance in exchange for protection. ]

To ask forgiveness for an act yet to be committed is folly, Nuala. But I will beg your pardon for all the years I have been away. [ He had his reasons. Still does. But abandoning her to an aging, static court was not well done of him. ] I am sorry for that.

[ It is all he can give now, and his love, whilst future deeds get sorted out. ]