"I can't go with you"

Teysa leaned against the cave wall and raked her fingers through her hair. She looked down, unable to meet Aliara's accusing stare. In a quiet voice, she said, "I'm sorry, Li. I really am. I wish I could go with you. I wish you the best of luck. But when I think about all those prisoners, I can't go. I may not owe the driders anything, but the broodmothers deserve the same chance we had."

Aliara was silent for a long time. She strode across the cave to Teysa and reached up, grabbing the taller woman's cheeks and pulling her head down into a kiss. Her lips locked on Teysa's with a feral energy, as though she was trying to pour all of herself out in one long exhalation. It seemed to last forever. When it finally broke, Aliara slumped down. Her voice was low and broken.

"I love you, Teysa. I always will. But I won't watch you do this to yourself. Going along with them to survive was one thing, but this... this is sick. Goodbye, Teysa. Good luck." She handed over the map, then turned on her heel and marched away. Teysa watched her go.