No'One put her hands up to her hot blush. "I do not know how to respond to that. "
"Maybe I shouldn't have brought it up. It's just - yeah, it's all over your mind. "
"Not really. "
"Liar. " There was no accusation, though. No censure. Just a statement of fact.
No'One turned back to the water and reminded herself that as a half symphath, her daughter would know the truth even if she didn't say a word.
"I have no right to him," she murmured, looking at the pool's churning surface. "No right to any of him. But that is not why I asked you to come - "
"Says who?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Who says he's not yours. "
No'One shook her head. "You know all the whys. "
"No. I don't. If you want him and he wants you - "
"He does not. Not. . . in all ways. " No'One brushed at her hair even though it was already back off her face. Dearest Virgin Scribe, her heart was beating so hard. "I can't. . . I shouldn't speak of this. "
It felt safer not to utter a syllable to a soul - she knew Tohr wouldn't like to be speculated about.
There was a long silence.
"John and I aren't doing well. "
No'One glanced over, brows up at her daughter's candidness. "I. . . I had wondered. You have been long gone from here, and he has not looked happy. I had hoped for. . . a different outcome. On many levels. "
Including between the two of them.
And indeed, it was true what Xhex had said. They were each stalled - not exactly the accord one would wish for. However, she would take any commonality that presented itself.
"I think you and Tohr make sense," Xhex said abruptly, as she began to wander down the edge of the pool. "I like it. "
No'One arched her brows again. And reassessed the no-talk rule. "Truly?"
"He's a good male. Steady, reliable - damn tragic about what happened to his family. John's been worried about him for so long - you know, she was the only mother John had. Wellsie, that is. "
"Did you ever meet her?"
"Not formally. She wasn't the type to hang out where I worked, and God knew I was never welcome where the Brotherhood was. But I was aware of her reputation. Tough cookie - really blunt, a female of worth in that regard. I don't think the glymera were big fans of hers, and the fact that she didn't care about them was just another thing to recommend her, in my opinion. "
"Theirs was a true love story. "
"Yeah, from what I hear. Frankly, I'm surprised that he's been able to move on, but I'm glad he has - it's done you a world of good. "
No'One took a deep breath and smelled dry leaves. "He has no choice. "
"I'm sorry?"
"It is not my story to tell, but suffice it to say, if he could choose another path, any other, he would. "
"I don't understand what you're getting at. " When No'One didn't fill in with explanations, Xhex shrugged. "I can respect the boundaries. "
"Thank you. And I'm glad you came. "