"I don't have time to stand here and argue with you," Camelia said, almost urgently, as she reached out again to pull the little girl toward her. "Eira, come here. We need to leave now."
However, the girl dodged her touch, clinging tighter to Adelyn.
Her sobs were subtle, but Adelyn heard them clearly.
"Eira," Adelyn called softly, her hand lifting to gently caress the girl's hair.
Eira slowly raised her head to look up at her, her eyes shimmering with tears. Her arms were wrapped around Adelyn's legs —soft yet firm.
Adelyn couldn't help but touch her face, almost instinctively, before crouching down to her height again.
"You have a really pretty name," she said gently. "But do you know what's not pretty about you?"
The girl slowly shook her head, her gaze fixed on Adelyn, unblinking.
"These tears," Adelyn said, wiping them away with care. "They are not pretty at all. They don't suit you."
She paused and then smiled softly into those doe eyes.
