Chapter 49: The Doomsday Wolf (3)
Feryn had always been cold and distant toward her. Never once had she shown affection.
But that was fine. She treated everyone the same way, keeping them all at arm’s length. And if anyone could claim to be closest to her, it was Lafita.
People had all kinds of personalities and relationships, so it was natural for affection to take countless forms.
Because of that, Lafita could trust Feryn. She could believe she held the most important place in the elemental’s heart. She could convince herself that Feryn’s prickly behavior was its own kind of affection.
Lafita still vividly remembered the first time Feryn had allowed her close. She had been in an unusually good mood.
If Lafita tried to reach for her, Feryn would pull away. But if she remained still, Feryn would stay. She might turn aside, feigning indifference, but her ears would be perked, listening. She might suddenly leave, but if Lafita called her name, she would always look back.
That was surely the most intimate connection possible—the closest anyone was allowed.
Beyond that, Lafita had learned so much about her. What she liked. What she disliked. What suited her best.
She loved watching Feryn lost in solitude and contemplation. In those moments, she saw Feryn’s true self...or at least, she truly believed so.
“Feryn...”
This was a side of Feryn she had never seen before, and never thought she would see.