“Leszy?” she tries softly. “I’m sorry about yesterday. And about Florian.” He lowers his hands and looks away, jaw working. Candlelight reflects on his antlers, catching on their notched surface. “I kept so much from you,” he says slowly, “because I did not want you to be afraid. That, and…” He trails off. “It’s not easy.” She tugs on a braid. “I know,” she says, trying not to remember the terrible things she has done to keep her own secrets hidden.
