Chapter Fifty-Two

“I love you, Nizhoni Hosteen. I’m sorry, too, baby.” She closed her eyes against the tears that spilled down her cheeks.

“Don’t cry, beautiful,” he said, kissing away her tears.

“God, Bastian…this is how Mamma Lou felt for all that time. Every time I flinched from her.” Sebastian nodded, the days’ worth of stubble prickling her skin.

“You’re gonna freeze out here, beautiful. Let’s go back in, baby.” She allowed him to lead her back inside the house. She stopped as she passed the stairs and looked up. He watched as a myriad of emotions crossed her face.

“I really wouldn’t ever hit him. That wasn’t what I meant.” Her voice was low and pained.

“I know.” He was ashamed of what he’d said to her earlier.

“When I said what I said it wasn’t a threat of physical violence. Disciplinary actions, yes, but…”

“I know. But he doesn’t understand the difference between that right now.” They both kept their voices even. It was a discussion not an argument.