fiasko
He finds them, like she’d known that he would.
There’s no way that he would waste the opportunity to gloat, to take pride in the fact that he had raped a weakling queen and half destroyed her kingdom. And no doubt, he has a genuine interest in the child itself, in the child that had been created in the midst of so much cruelty and fear.
The bastard.
A small kernel of anger burns in her heart as he approaches, but her fear is still the most dominant. No matter what Straia says, this beast is barely controlled. He’s useful to the raven queen, and it would be simple enough for him to move first … and ask for forgiveness later. So it is with both fear and caution that she nudges the boy in front of her.
“This is Zayn.” She’d chosen the name because of it’s meaning - beauty and grace - as the tiniest little act of rebellion against Gryffen (so small it will likely never be noticed). It does suit him at least - Zayn is a handsome little thing even at his young age. Except for the eyes.
She nudges boy again, at the same time angling herself between Gryffen and Caitlin. She might not care about what happens to herself any more, but she will do her best to protect her daughter from Gryffen’s attention.
“Zayn, this is your father.”
The boy’s head cocks to the side, red eyes studying Gryffen with a cold curiosity that Fiasko has come to recognize. It’s a detached, calculating look, and it frightens her to see it in a boy so young.
Zayn takes a step forward of his own accord, finally opening his mouth to speak.
“Hello father.” Then he falls silent. Waiting. Observing.
i'm still waiting for the world to end
