She's got the devil's eyes
There is beauty in the innocence and naivete of children, but there is incredible danger too. Their lack of knowledge of the world could lead them exactly where this child had been brought, with no understanding of the hazards that might await them.
In a sense, Astana is fortunate to have found Heartfire rather than another. Perhaps her motivations are less than pure, but she is not a cruel or callous woman by nature. No, it is her vast understanding of the darkness that exists in this world that leads her to take this child’s proferred hand rather than any malicious intent. She may believe her parents inept and foolish, but young Astana at least would not suffer beneath her care.
Her small offering of her origin is enough to draw the girl’s interest, enough to entice her to place her unwitting trust into the blue and white mare. It’s mildly trouble that this is all it takes, even though she had done so knowing what the outcome would likely be. She might have liked to be proven wrong. But then, she so rarely is.
A faintly encouraging tilt of her lips is all she offers in response though, the smile such a rare thing on those so often unreadable features that it nearly transforms them into something entirely unexpected. Reaching down, she lightly touches her once more on the forehead, a gently approving gesture, before lifting her gaze to peer into the distance.
“We’re going to Nerine,” she answers after a moment, her gaze returning to Astana’s. “My home. It’s beautiful. There are tall cliffs overlooking the sea. The ocean gets wild sometimes, but it is quite fun to watch. I’ll show you when we get there, if you like.”
and they'll cut you like a weapon