“I did, a while ago,” he said about Yahal being forced on him. She was persistent and had seemed as if she was pressing it in the past. She didn’t do it any longer but he had not forgotten what he felt like, how he felt lost and lesser because he didn’t understand what she did. It feeling had passed since then, it had been forgiven and nearly forgotten until she brought it up again. Forgiveness had not been retracted, but memories were refreshed.

Her words sounded like an ultimatum, telling him to love Yahal regardless of if he agreed with what the god stood for, saying that in order to love her for something he didn’t agree with he had to love Yahal too. She didn’t have her eyes on him either, looking at the river.

“I said I am glad he makes you happy, I am glad he protects and comforts you. I do not have to love him like you, and you do not have to love Zulrav. I don’t care if you like Zulrav or not, Zulrav will protect you because I love you and you are my bondmate, you are a part of me and he understands that. He doesn’t ask me to tell you to love Him, he doesn’t care. I appreciate Yahal for you...”

Elann’s words hurt him, and that hurt permeated through their bond. Like an animal, he wanted to defend himself because pain had been inflicted on him, unexpectedly. He could have raised his voice, used the same harsh tone as before in their last argument, but he didn’t. His last statement trailed off, he had more to say but not the will to say it for fear it would erupt into something else.

Noah turned fully towards the water and slowly sat down cross-leggedly. He ran a hand through his hair, holding it over the nape of his neck and rubbing in stress. His chin rested in his other hand, propped up on his elbow. Appreciating Yahal didn’t appear to be enough, it was extremely disheartening to him.