"How can you say that?" Ravyn's voice came out harder than he intended, the hurt underneath it pushing through. "You've known me my whole life. You think I'd let someone manipulate me that badly?"
"I think," Voren said quietly, "that it's a lot easier to miss when you love someone."
Ravyn turned away from him. A muscle in his jaw worked steadily, the way it did when he was holding something in by force. "I know she's not perfect." His voice dropped.
"I know she lies. I know the jealousy is a problem. But she's Bryan's mother, Voren. She gave me my heir." He pulled in a slow breath. "She can be better. I'll work with her on it."
Voren looked at him for a long moment. There was no argument left worth making, not today, not while Ravyn was standing inside it. Some things a person had to walk out of on their own. You couldn't drag them.
