Bittersweet Consummations

" Flora, can we talk for a minute?" Marissa's voice quivered as she caught Flora's eye near the training diggings, where the soft hum of distant exertion slightly intruded on their discussion.

Flora's reply was in a shaky voice," I suppose we've to, Marissa. I'm I am trying to sort each of this out.".

Marissa's eyes were compassionate as she asked," Does it still hurt? The treason, the recollections of Adrian's neglect and now everything we have learned?"

Flora ...