Spoiler (click to show/hide):
Candy senses the turmoil in your mind, and you feel a spike of inspiration strike her as she calls upon you through the bond to think about what your thinking about. Every time you try to tell yourself that it is her you love the most, that you shouldn't feel any connection to this demon, a voice somewhere inside of your speaks up with just enough power to remind you of Mistress...that she is Mistress and you desire to serve and please Mistress. Your thoughts are going in circles, all thanks to that collar.
You pick up the worry from Candy, that what if it really isn't the collar, and that you really do feel such a strong attachment to someone who tried to break your will, to someone who was willing to take you away from her, and that means for your own love for Candy.
If it wasn't the collar that made you submit, that made you decide that Nala was your Mistress...then that means you did it willingly, that the collar is nothing more than a symbolic reminder of that choice. Which could mean...
Which would mean that, eventually, one of two choices would present itself to your lover. Submit to Mistress as well, placing her above both of you...or end Mistresses life. And Candy fears that there could be dire consequences for the latter especially.
Soon enough though, Candy brings you all to a halt as you reach a small creek. The water looks purish, no doubt the work of Marae having more strength to try and purge Mareth of its corruption. Candy nearly falls to the ground as exhaustion finally reaches her limits. As you move to catch her, you find to your surprise that even Mistress reaches out to keep her from hurting herself.
Candy gives Mistress an odd look, but then mutters "Guess I could use some rest after all..."
Mistress nods, her face still showing that she is nervous and afraid of the situation she is in. "R-Rest would p-probably be a good idea Mistress Candy." She says, trying her best to sound comforting.
Shandra was quickly realizing that she had no idea how to tell what was really real anymore, which part of her mind was her. There were all these parts telling her different things. One part said that she should love Candy above all else. Another said that she should love Mistress above all else. Another part said that she was a paladin, and that she shouldn't even be consorting with a demon. Another part said that she was violating her vows by letting herself become so close to Candy.
And was the collar actually contributing anything to her thoughts? Was Mistress? Could Candy even be doing something to her mind?
Those two choices stood out in her mind - two horrific choices. Side with Candy, or side with Mistress. There was no doubt that Candy did not want to be Mistress's mistress, but there was no option to be rid of her besides that. And if they split, Shandra would have to choose a side. Which side could she possibly choose? How could she even make that decision?
The collar was one thing she could be sure of, though. There was no attachment she had to the collar, and if she got it off, maybe she would be free of some of those thoughts that weren't her own. Or it could just confirm her worst thoughts - that all of these thoughts were really her own. Still, that was the best option that she had, one that didn't require her to make a horrific choice.
Suddenly, she feels Candy start to falter, and she moves to catch Candy. She looks down at her, concern in her eyes, and she is glad to see a similar kind of concern in Mistress's eyes. It would be better for her if Mistress and Candy could work together. "It's time to rest," she says, feeling the pull of the fatigue on her own body. After all, she has been feeding Candy her strength all day. But she is still stronger than Candy, and it would be up to her to carry her through this.
She lays Candy gently down on the grass, setting up the bedroll for her to lie on. Then she heads over to the creek, drawing a bit of thankfully pure water for Candy to drink. "Rest up and regain your strength," she urges Candy, while she wonders to herself if they have any equipment to set traps to get food. She would take over for now while Candy slept, despite her own tiredness. Her split mind would have to wait.