Samantha Cassidy

Truly, Samantha hadn't meant to bring up the status of her relationship at all with the woman that had fallen into step beside her. Samantha knew so readily how Raven felt about having an opinion on her Alpha's personal life, and as such the Fae Queen had done her best to keep such personal details to herself. No, it wasn't because she didn't trust the wolf beside her. Truly, it was entirely the opposite. She trusted Raven. She cared for the woman more than she cared for most people, and it was that very fact alone that had Samantha determined to not make the woman uncomfortable. It was surprising for the Fae Queen entirely that she even mentioned that they hadn't spoken of their love yet. Truly, it was not something that bothered Samantha at all. She knew Aiden cared about her. Even if she wasn't able to feel it with his emotions, she could see it in the way he looked at her or pulled her in close or even the way he teased her. It may not have been love, not yet, but she had no doubt it would come. The faerie girl looked up as Raven spoke, the small smile on Raven's lips bringing a smile to Samantha's own. "I think so, too. Or at least, I really hope so."

Samantha wished, truly, that they could have stayed on that blissful topic of her relationship with Aiden or the way Dorian's continued presence in her life made her so incredibly happy. But no, Samantha had to ask about the twins and the bloody full moon, and any hope that they might have a pleasant outing disappeared with those words. Sam stood silent as she listened to the woman speak of the twins' parentage - how could she not have known that? There was nothing to say. How could she comfort one friend without slandering the other one? The hate and betrayal and jealousy that flickered within the girl were all valid emotions, and yet she couldn't help but think there was more to the story. Raven had every right to be upset about being pushed out of her pack in a way, and yet... and yet Samantha could hardly condemn Nadya as if she was an unfit mother.

No, Samantha had seen first hand how much Nadya loved those children. She'd been the one at the burlesque, trying to struggle with having a pair of infants while also managing a growing business. Samantha had been present for the reluctance that Nadya had had in placing those babies within the faerie's care even for an hour. She had seen the despair in the girl when she'd sent the children away for their own safety. No, Nadya loved Micah and Izzy so much. Samantha may not have agreed with her decision to keep Raven away from the babies, but she had no doubt that Nadya had her own valid reasons for doing so. Still, despite that, Samantha couldn't blame Raven for the hurt she was feeling. Would she not feel the same way if she had been placed in that position? It was that alone that had the girl speaking those words of reassurance and touching Raven so gently. Her words were meant to reassure her, though judging by the way Raven tensed up, she had done anything but.

It had perhaps been a silly question to ask about whether or not Raven and Tobi had considered having children. It was, after all, none of her business. And yet the words slipped from her tongue and were immediately met with that swell of agony that was powerful enough to bring tears to the fae girl's eyes. She hadn't considered that they couldn't have children. She knew, of course, that the differing species between herself and Aiden meant that there would be no children in her own future (not that she'd want them anyway). But with Raven and Tobi... they were both Weres. Didn't that mean something? To hear her thoughts be so wrong had the girl biting her lip, though she didn't say anything. There was nothing to be said.

Poor Raven.

Reluctantly, Samantha pulled her fingers back, turning her eyes towards the books if only to let Raven have whatever privacy she could with her emotions. Samantha could feel the way the woman was sinking into despair, and yet the empath made no effort to show that to the girl. Instead, she pulled a book off the shelf and pretended to read the back cover. The two girls within this battle were two of her most trusted companions. Raven had been the one to take care of her in a night that Samantha had been hurt. She'd listened to her and taken care of the bleeding wound on her shoulder even though she was trespassing on the wolf's turf. She'd brought Ivy to her and suggested the monarchy that was working to make the girl feel stronger. But Nadya...

Nadya had taken her in when she had nothing. She'd given her a job even though she couldn't dance or waitress, and her powers gave her a headache every time she walked within that building. Even when the other faeries insisted she shouldn't be there, Nadya had come up with things for the fae girl to do: from sewing, to babysitting, to cleaning. Even though Samantha certainly didn't pull her own weight at the burlesque, she'd kept her on and paid her well. And then, in her moment of need, she'd promoted the faerie girl to a position she surely didn't deserve and had that confidence that she could do it. She'd supported her with the monarchy, supported her relationship with her brother, and had always been there for Samantha.

Both girls were precious to Samantha, and speaking ill of either of them was impossible.

Giving the other woman a few precious moments to compose herself, Samantha maneuvered herself down that row of books, coming to stop at Raven's side. "I'm sorry, Raven. I..." She had no words, none that would comfort Raven without being unkind to Nadya in turn. She wanted to hug the girl, and yet she knew better. Instead she stood with her arms limp at her sides. "Let's go home. I'll make you some tea and you can rest. It... it looks like you need it."