[ something burns in her at his refusal -- she can't even tell what -- and her expression shifts, eyes lidded but burning. she's shaking, she knows she is, but not out of fear. just barely contained anger that she doesn't know what to do about. hurt she's endured -- but no one has ever made her so angry. ]

I didn't know cowards had a pedigree. [ it comes out as a hiss, and she steps closer, taking ground where he could have but didn't. she wants so badly to hit him again, but the part of her that shies away from violence cries out in protest. give me a reason. give me something.

she's never been in a fight in her life. not a one-on-one all-out brawl. she knows she couldn't possibly overpower byerly, but the tears that spring to her eyes now are just angry. ]

Tell me something. That night in Riverfall, when you held me -- had you already made your decision then? Or did some fanciful flight of cowardice strike you later? I know you're going to lie to me. I just want to see what lie you use.