It was possible that Krishna's memory of that day was more vivid than Morrigan's. Certainly, the smoke and the screams and the pain were vivid, but it had been such a sensory overload on that worst day of her life that much of the actual events had escaped her. She did remember Krishna trying to help her, and Morrie screaming for him to go to Evelyn, go help Evelyn, Evelyn had been trapped for longer, she would be hurt worse. Morrie hadn't understood until later that Evelyn had been beyond help.
Morrie tried to put those thoughts out of her mind, but that had been so much harder than usual the last few days, with Lachlan back and serving as a constant reminder. She knew Krishna understood, though, by the shakiness of that breath and the tremor she could see and feel run through him. She was not one to reach out, so instead, she put her hand on the soft grass between them, close enough that her fingers just brushed him ever so slightly. It was a paltry comfort, but it was all she could seek from him at the moment.
"Yes he was," she replied, her voice low as though speaking quietly would hide the depth of her hurt that Lachlan had never reached out, never made contact, as though she wasn't simmering with bitter, roiling fury every time she thought of it. "And he returned because I made him."
That was more honest than she had meant to be with her friend, and the too telling truth slipped out while she was still reeling with emotion. But it was the truth, so she didn't try to take it back. No, she just looked at him and shrugged one shoulder tensely. She wanted her brother back, and he hadn't come on his own, but the statute of limitations for the arson charge had expired and there was no reason but his cowardice not to return. So, if he would not atone for his actions of his own accord, then she would make him. Besides, for all that it was painful and difficult to have him here, to think of what Morrie knew he had done, what she was sure Krishna at least suspected of him as well, a very small part of her felt more settled with him here. This was where he belonged. He was her family, or he had been once. Perhaps he would be again.
"That is, the position of gardener needed to be filled, and he will also be helping to improve the productivity of the vines," Morrie added, trying to find a less personal explanation she could offer.