His face softened and he approached her, taking her hands. “I was so frightened,” he told her quietly. “I was so frightened when he took you from me.”
"I want you to understand, Puck.. I know that you think they brainwashed me. I wish you could see everything that happened."
“I believe that you saw and felt what you think you saw and felt,” he replied flatly. “But I don’t believe that they just gave you the full truth, Calliope. People don’t do that; humans don’t do that.”
He laughed a little, shaking his head. “He’s a traitor to the Natural Races, Calliope. He told you to be brave because it suited him. Not because he wanted to help you.” He gave her a small smile, brushing her hair back. “Besides, you don’t need to be brave. You have me.”
She looked a little startled. "Wouldn't you rather me learn to better myself? I don't need you to protect me."
He sighed a little, dropping his hand. “I’ve always protected you, Cal. That’s the way it’s always been.”
"Not when you left," she quipped. "I was alone, then. Now that I can protect myself it's suddenly not okay? But it was when you went to become a guard."
“You told me that you had no one out there,” he replied, raising one eyebrow. “You told me that you were alone and lonely. It’s never been okay, Calliope, but I had to leave for my job. It was something I had to do. You don’t even know how to use your Magyck correctly.”
He rolled his eyes. “Right. The faerie who couldn’t even stop his wings from getting chopped off has taught you. That’s really reassuring, Cal.”
"Don't be rude," she said quietly. "I don't know how to make you believe me, but I can use my Magyck."
He sighed, looking unconvinced. “Uh huh. I’m certain that you’re fully capable now,” he said flatly, pulling away from her.
She glared, summoning a claw to reach out and grab his shoulder; not enough to hurt him, but to get his attention.
It disappeared when he turned. She had a resolute look on her face. "I have control, Puck. I appreciate that you want to protect me, but I'm okay."
