She stayed quiet and still for long minutes after he stopped speaking, listening to the sounds of his breathing, his sobbing. Puca don't cry, she told herself and yet there he was, crying hard and with his whole being. It was a stark contrast to her own silent tears.

It broke her heart.

Not being able to resist trying to sooth him in some way despite her disgust at what he had told her, Pippa placed her hand against his side, her fingers lightly caressing warm skin. "Ro," she might be more calm than he at the moment, but she was far from steady as she forced out the words, "Rory, tell me you did it because you had no choice. You had no choice and it wasn't because you wanted to do it. Please..."

The act was never going to sit right with her, never, but if she could be assured that he hadn't enjoyed it the way Larch did, maybe she could put one more fear to rest. Maybe.