Incredulity was what she saw on Théadan’s face first and Navia shook her head when he insisted she was joking so he would understand how serious she was. There was no denying her desire to keep the lion. He was just so soft and sweet and in need of attention. Even while Théadan went on to point out how spending time on the ship would be uncomfortable for a young animal, Navia could only look down at the small creature and think of how nice it would be to have a pet to dote on. And maybe the Iradocian man was right. Maybe the little lion would grow to protect them. Surely he would be just as protective of Théadan as he would be of her.<br/><br/>It wasn’t until Théadan pointed out how dangerous the cub could end up being that she looked up at him again and realized the distress the possibility of owning a lion cub was causing him. A thoughtful frown forming on her lips, Navia sighed and stroked her hand through the cat’s fuzzy hair. What if he was right? What if the lion did try to protect her from Théadan and ended up harming him? Or what if he went after Wyndagar? She did not know if horses were usually part of a lion’s diet, but she knew people lost them to tigers and sometimes even leopards in Khlurios. Was she willing to risk Wyndagar’s life for a pet of her own? Was she willing to risk Théadan’s safety? The answer was a resolute no.<br/><br/>Yet simply because Théadan said she couldn’t have to lion, she wanted it all the more. The stubborn streak in her personality demanded she go against him turning down her desires. But he had also worded it in a way that reminded her she couldn’t just think for herself anymore.<i>We can’t have this lion.</i>As much as<i>she</i>wanted the big cat, they were together. She couldn’t possibly buy an animal if Théadan wasn’t going to agree they should own it. With a defeated sigh, Navia adjusted her hold on the lion cub to start to hand it back when the lion’s seller looped an arm around her shoulders again. He encouraged her and the lion to look each other in the eyes and she looked down to see the dark hues blinking up at her curiously.<br/><br/>Why did it affect her so much? She just did not understand. Never before had she been so drawn to an animal. She did like animals, was happy to greet them and spend a few minutes spoiling them with attention, but she had always been content with her horse. And twice in one day, she found herself yearning to have not only a new pet, but a young one at that. Either she desperately missed her horse, or…?<i>I was a midwife for forty years. I know it when I see it </i>filled her mind at the same time the man told her about the bond between mother and cub.<br/><br/>A scowl formed on Navia’s face instantly. “I’ll never be a mother,” she told the man abruptly and turned to thrust the lion cub into his arms, “I hope you either return him to his actual mother of find someone with the means to properly care for him.” She ached as she said it, not from parting with a cub she’d held for all of five minutes, but from old wounds Ragná had reopened and she couldn’t seem to heal fully. Why did she no longer have a strong hold on her emotions, though? Why did those animals call to her so much? She was going to have to figure out a way to know for certain. She had to stop wondering.<br/><br/>“Thank you for letting me hold him,” Navia said to the flabbergasted Iradocian, then turned to flee. She brushed past Théadan with little more than a muttered, “Come on,” and briskly walked away from the Iradocian and the lion cub while yelled after her, “He will still be here if you change your mind!” Navia did not respond to the man and did not stop walking until they neared the end of the market. There, just past several tables of various tools and weapons, was one stacked with books. Of all kinds and colors, it was a welcome sight. Books could be a solace to her and there was little Théadan could take issue with them, making them safe. It was there Navia came to a stop, her near-black eyes taking in all wonderfully different books while her hand reached for one so she could see what language it was in.