Niah shook her head. He really was being stubborn - too stubborn for someone of his standing. Gritting her teeth in preparation of the pain it would cause, she scooted forward onto her knees then climbed slowly to her feet. When she put any weight on her injured ankle it flared up with a hot, deep pain. "I," she said, half a gasp and half a imperious exclamation. "don't need your help. If you don't intend to go find one of my family members then there's nothing I can do for you. And," she turned to point at Brom's face with a shaking finger. "I'll be recommending that you're disciplined for this insubordination."<br/><br/>Drunk on her own power and burning with shame at the same time, she took a step forward and very nearly tripped. Throwing her hands up to ward off any attempt at help he may have offered, she yelled while tears of frustration and humiliation ran down her cheeks; "How dare you think that someone like you could even be near me? What are you, in love with me?" It was a shot in the dark and not at all something she ever considered before, but once she said it a spark of realization was ignited in her mind. Slowly she turned in order to look at him over her shoulder, her mouth open in a wide O of shock.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"You are, aren't you ...?"</span>