It was late in the Riverlands, the hour when even the corridors of Riverrun seemed to whisper more softly. Daella have come to the Riverlands with her mother, and thry stayed at Riverrun while lords brought their sons to court her. She had gotten fond of the blackwood boy, and everything seemed to be perfect, until she learned of his faith. Queen Alysanne had held Daella for a long while, smoothing her hair, speaking gently of how she wouldn't go to hell for marrying him and that she could marry in the way she wanted to. By the time Daella slipped from her mother’s solar, her eyes were still red, but her breathing had steadied.

Royce Blackwood’s chamber was quiet, a single candle burning near the window. Daella lingered at the threshold, fingers twisting in the sleeve of her gown, before she gathered what courage she had and stepped inside.

“I… I’m sorry,” she said at last, barely above a whisper. “For what I said, and how I cried, and how I ran away. I didn’t mean to be unkind. I was only frightened.”

She glanced down at her hands, then back up, cheeks warming.

“My mother explained it to me. About the trees and things...” A small, shy smile flickered. “I should have listened to you instead of letting my fear speak first.”

She swallowed, courage trembling but still there.

“I hope you don’t think ill of me. I truly didn’t wish to hurt you. I only… I was scared I was going to hell.”