Laila let it rest. She stared at the lowering sun and watched as it fell below the horizon. She picked at her nails, peeling the paint off of them, bit by bit. She looked up at the tree above them, watching a bird fly into a nest hidden in the branches. She felt a connection with Griffin, though she didn't know why. She stated aloud, more to herself than to her companion, "I will never have freedom." Then, she looked over at him. "I'm not sure if I want it, though. I don't know what I'd do, by now."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "When I was younger, I wanted nothing more than to be away from the castle. This would have been a blessing to me. Now, all I wonder is what my mother is doing, how she's faring. She old, she's fragile. They won't keep her much longer - they'll have her killed, most likely." She paused again. "She's the only person left in my life who is worth living for." Laila turned her face away from Griffin. "There is no one else."