small steps

[Sephora]

In the week that followed, Sephora had taken to her chambers and did not leave them - not even to go and eat. She couldn't stomach it - any of it.

No matter how many times she bathed and washed herself - she never felt clean. She could still feel everywhere that Vince had touched, that he'd kissed and caressed. She could still feel the chains of darkness around her wrists, ankles and throat - so much so, that there were often nights when she would wake up screaming. Her entire room would be engulfed in flames that didn't burn, but only searched for some invisible threat.

And everytime without fail, Ravyn would instantly be by her side. She would materialize into Sephora's room, her shadows soothing and hushing her flames until they extinguished, and Sephora was left trembling and sweating in her bed, eyes wide. Ravyn hadn't even hesitated, she sat herself on her Lady's bed, calming her down, and quietly asking Sephora to speak the nightmare out loud to her.

Sephora had refuse