Chapter 11

I awoke to a sting of pain across my face. Jolting upright, there was Frya standing over me, one hand on her hip, the other now red from the violent slap she'd just sent across my right cheek. Her eyes burned like a furnace of rage and her lips were thin across her leathery mouth.

"What were you thinking?" She pointed a knotted finger towards me.

I sat up, rubbing the now-dull ache off my cheek. Suddenly I was transported back to the tower. To Hela's whip. Whether it be the jolt from awakening abruptly from a deep sleep or the trauma of memories suddenly rushing in, I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.

"Someone could have seen you, you stupid girl!" she exclaimed. Her voice was like knives against my pounding head.

"I just needed to get out. Everything was fine. No one saw us."

"No one saw you? Tell that to the three guards who're running their mouths around the city this morning that a cloaked woman and her dog attacked them on the street only a few blocks from here!"

Sighing, I tossed the covers aside and swung my legs to the floor. Soreness was spreading from the peak of my neck up to my forehead.

"If they had seen your face! They would've taken you back to that tower immediately. Gods know what fate awaited your there! Then they would've come for me!" Frya said.

The soreness magnified until it was nearly unbearable.

The barkeep's words strung together in a continuous, shrill creak as a high-pitched tone rang through my ears. There was a brief pause in her words, waiting for a response. I remained quiet, leaning against the windowsill with my eyes low. The scolding resumed and with it, the pressure in my chest built higher and higher until I felt as if I'd burst. Finally, I snapped.

"You can't expect me to stay hidden away in here forever. I've traded one prison for another!" I cried.

Her jaw dropped open, and a pang of hurt welled beneath her sunken, wrinkled eyes. Snapping my mouth shut, I knew I'd gone too far. I went to speak, but Frya held up her pale hand.

"I have opened my home to you. Fed you. Given you work. Kept you safe. If my hospitality is nothing more than a jail cell to you, then you can go," she whispered, taking her leave.

The soft click of the door behind her left an airless silence. Back sliding down the rough brick wall, I threw my head in my hands. The throbbing continued to pound in my ears as Arcturas pawed her way over to me, her nails scraping across cold tile. I lifted my head towards her as she nuzzled into me. I needed to fix this, or else Arcturas and I would be back on the street.

When the pain subsided from my head, I found Frya downstairs furiously scrubbing a tabletop opposite the hearth. Grabbing a rag, I joined her, wiping sudsy water away from the withered wood. Without looking up, she placed a small bucket of warm soapy water next to me and we continued to clean. It wasn't until the space was immaculate did we acknowledge one another. I opened my mouth, starting the apology I rehearsed again and again in my mind as I cleaned.

"I know what you're going to say," the barkeep said, dumping the now murky bucket down the drain. "I'm sorry I raised my hand at you. I can understand why you snuck out last night. It's easy to forget about your demons when you've hidden them so well from me."

"I shouldn't have said what I did," I said, wringing out my dishrag.

"It's alright. I've been working you to the bone. It's the truth. I shouldn't have hit you."

Setting the bucket beside her, she looked across the bar at me. I swallowed, uncomfortable by her acknowledgement.

Opening my mouth to speak, I wasn't sure what to say.

"You don't have to say anything, Elpis, just hand me that rag. If you'd like to leave, I won't hold it against you. There are a few other taverns needing some extra hands. I can send word to one of ‘em if you'd like." She looked down at her hands, still glistening with soap.

I paused for a minute, rubbing a finger across my chin. Somewhere outside, a clock chimed. She could have thrown me into the cold, forgetting the very memory of my stay at her tavern. I had risked not just my life sneaking off to Festival, but also hers. Had the city guards discovered I was staying here, they could have executed her for harboring a fugitive. I shuddered at the thought.

"I'd like to stay."

Frya stopped her rapid scrubbing and threw down her brush.

"Besides, who would peel your potatoes for you if I left?" I said, smirking.

A small smile escaped her lips as I tossed her the dish rag.

Catching it between her frail hands, she said, "I had a daughter, you know."

Frya wiped the soapy scum off her hands across the stained apron she wore. "When her father found out I was pregnant, he took off- ran all the way to Canissa, claiming he'd find us a better life in the West. The minute he stepped out of this tavern, I knew, though. He wasn't coming back." She unclasped a tarnished silver locket from beneath her wool tunic and handed it to me.

"Her name was Astri. She was all I needed in this world, with her small green eyes and little hands. When she was a baby, I lost time because I'd just stare at her and her perfect button nose and toothless smile. I'd set her down to change her and get sidetracked by her laughter. It was us against the world. Raising her made me feel invincible."

I opened the locket to look at the painted little girl with flaming red hair and a wide-eyed grin.

"When she was four, I took her to Festival. She'd always beg me to see the lights and taste all the different treats. It's funny; when you become a mother, you want to protect your child- lock them away from all the horrible darkness in the world. But they grow up, and you can't keep them safe forever. They have to learn on their own."

There was a glint in Astri's eye, and I couldn't help but think just how full of life she looked and how much youthful wonder her portrait captured.

"After begging me all day, I caved. I remember thinking to myself, she deserved to see the borealis and celebrate along with the other children. So we went. We bought butter cakes until we were entirely stuffed and danced to the fiddler tunes until I thought my toes would fall off. When finally our Goddess appeared, Astri stared up at her in awe. It was so magical, getting to give her that experience. The whole city was watching Polaris except for me. I was watching my little girl."

"When the festival ended, we turned to head home. That's when I lost her. It was only a fleeting moment, but that's all it took. Her hand slipped from mine and she disappeared into the crowd. I panicked and searched through people, pushing past them, calling her name, even crawling on the street to see if I could catch sight of her little red slippers. But she was gone. The city guards took over the search, escorting me back to the tavern and telling me to get some rest and that they'd find her. How can you rest when your whole heart is missing?"

"That was the worst night of my life. There's no torture on this Earth worse than waiting for something, knowing you're powerless. It wasn't until the morning when a guard knocked on my door." She swallowed the lump rising in her throat.

"He was so pale and uncomfortable when he spoke. I knew then that I'd never get to hold her again. I guess she'd found her way through a crack in the city wall and gotten lost in the northern woods." Frya took a breath and placed her shaking hand atop mine.

"They found a red slipper by the wall and tracked a trail of footprints into the forest. The guard said maybe it was an animal attack. Those woods have never been safe, but with the attacks from the northern creatures, it was likely it wasn't just an animal." There was a length of silence before she continued, her eyes now damp with painful memories. "It shredded her tiny body to bits. Aside from a matching red slipper on her foot, she was otherwise unrecognizable."

"Frya… I'm so sorry." I whispered, lacing my fingers between hers. The feel of her skin was almost as cold as the sorrow in her voice.

"The attacks weren't nearly as bad back then as they are now. I know you can handle yourself, but when I found your bed empty last night, I was terrified. Everything came back to me. I wasn't in control when I confronted you this morning. I'm sorry."

"No, I understand. I have moments where I lose myself in my pain, too. No mother should have to go through what you did."

She smiled sadly through wet lashes. The harsh exterior she so tirelessly built was a defense. The woman beneath those ancient scowls and sarcastic jabs was broken- she had lost everything.

"I think I need a minute. Talking about Astri is difficult, even after all these years." She pulled her hand away.

"I'll be right back. Why don't you start the stew for this evening?" she said, smoothing the wrinkles of her apron.

"Sure. Take as long as you need," I nodded.

She cleared her throat and disappeared upstairs, joints cracking as she stepped.

Frya didn't return until the stew was simmering and the morning light faded into a gloomy afternoon. The knocking of the tavern door pulled me back from the depth of my thoughts as I stirred our supper on the stove. The barkeep hobbled to the door, unlatched it, and peered at the unexpected visitor with shaggy brown hair.

"We don't open for another couple hours, boy," she snapped, slamming the door shut.

"I- I know! I'm actually not here for a drink," he stammered, his voice muffled through thick oak.

Frya reopened the door, glaring at him, "What do you want, then?"

"I um… I'm here to see Ell. A-and Arcturas, of course," he said. I shook my head, snorting at the awkward tone in his voice.

"Ell, there's a boy here to see you." Frya raised a brow toward me, her lip thinning into a pin straight line across her face. Opening the door just enough for Rune to slide through, she slammed it behind him, re-latching the lock, her eyes following his every movement.

"Hi Ell!" He smiled, the brown of his eyes brightening as he spoke. "I was on my way to the market, and I thought I'd stop by and say hello."

Arcturas padded toward her newfound friend, her tail wagging violently with each step. Rune knelt beside her, scratching behind her ear as she lapped at his cheek.

"I see it wasn't just a few guards you met last night." Leaning against the entryway threshold, Frya crossed her arms, eyeballing the wolf and her new companion.

"Frya, this is Rune. He helped me scare away those drunken guards last night. If it wasn't for him…" I shuddered, thoughts of that dark alleyway pricking the hair on the nape of my neck.

"I see… Well, thank you. The city guards these days think they're above the law- taking anything they want. Are you hungry? Stew's almost ready." Frya hobbled to the kitchen and stirred the thick simmer, maintaining a watchful eye through the open doorframe.

"Stew sounds wonderful. Thank you." Rune threw her a cautious smile before rising from his knees, now covered in short, black hair.

I motioned for us to sit, returning to our seats from the night before. A residual tingle tickled my fingertips as we faced each other, and a rosy shade of pink flushed across my cheeks. Rune shifted in his seat, frantically searching for something to say. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I did," I said, glancing at his hands resting across from mine. "The wine put me right out."

Rune smiled quietly, uncomfortable beneath the hawk-like vision of our chaperone.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go for a walk this evening. It's going to be a clear one tonight. The borealis should be beautiful."

Arcturas's ears perked straighter than a nail at the mention of a walk. I nodded, suppressing my eagerness as best I could. I could feel the fresh air on my face, the crack of snow beneath my boots. My legs yearned to stretch.

"I would love that, but…" I turned toward Frya, watching her expression curdle into suspicion, "Frya may need help here. The clear weather always brings in a swarm of patrons."

Ladling stew into three chipped bowls, the barkeep snorted and placed our supper on the table before taking her seat beside me.

"Oh, well, that's alright." Rune stroked the stubble on his chin, avoiding Frya's snarled lip.

I sighed, resigning into my seat. The clanking of spoons filled our thick silence. It wasn't smart to leave the tavern, especially walking through the city. I would risk my safety for a second taste of freedom, but was I willing to risk hers? After the tragedy she'd experienced with her own daughter, I couldn't threaten the sliver of comfort she'd built just for my selfishness. We continued eating, wandering eyes meeting between mouthfuls, then abruptly darting away. Placing my spoon in the empty bowl in front of me, I caught Frya's gaze. Her eyes softened as she glanced toward Rune.

Patting her lips with a cotton napkin, she said, "If you're careful, I ‘spose Arcturas would like a hike up the mountainside tonight to see the borealis. With the cold, you'll likely not run into anyone and Gods know the poor creature probably needs to stretch her legs."

A grin, wider than I thought physically possible, cracked across my lips. Arcturas's eyes glittered as she trotted over to the barkeep.

"She'd love that," I said, not sure if I was talking about the wolf or myself. There was an unmistakable twinkle in Frya's eye as she witnessed my face light up. For the first time since we arrived, her eyes softened in indisputable compassion. I reveled in the airiness of her expression until it snapped abruptly back to her usual scowl.

"But you best behave yourself, boy. Any funny business and this one here'll make sure they can't recognize your body when you they find you frozen on the mountainside." She pointed her spoon at Rune. He gulped back his last bite of the meal.

"And you!" She swung it towards Arcturas, "If I find pieces of bone on my floor again, I'll cook you into supper and use your pelt for a new cloak!" Whimpering, the wolf lowered her ears and sulked back to her bed by the hearth.

"I just need to finish up my chores, if you don't mind waiting," I said, scurrying to the back storeroom.

The skin on my fingertips was raw and red by the time the shadow of night fell over the horizon. As I had rushed around the tavern- sweeping ash from the hearth, chopping bushels of wood outback, and peeling bag after bag of potatoes, Arcturas remained stretched on her bed- licking the remnants of bone off the floor, chasing a rabbit in the back courtyard, and curling into a warm nap by the hearth. Rune, seated at the bar, silently sipped on an ale. I felt his eyes follow me as I rushed back and forth, a taste of freedom fueling each step.

"Let me change, then we'll go," I called to him, tossing my apron across the bar. I couldn't decide which ached more, my back or my knees as I hobbled up the staircase to my bedchamber, Arcturas racing past me. My exhaustion didn't hinder the growing excitement deep in my belly at the thought of seeing the borealis once again. After five years surrounded by shades of grey, seeing the vibrant greens and violets felt like a drug. I craved the fluorescence like an addict craved the poppy.

It was nearly time to go, as the sun had fully set, and the city lampposts had been lit. Hastily, I washed the layer of grime and sweat from my body and changed into a fresh black tunic with matching trousers. Braiding my hair into a tight plait down my back and twisting it into a bun, I secured my mother's comb into place. Arcturas whined impatiently, scratching at the door as I finished dressing.

"Alright, alright, I'm ready!" I said, turning the knob of the chamber door. Just as I pulled it ajar, she shot past me, leaping over the last few steps and landing with a thunk on the wooden flooring below. I guess her ferocity made up for the grace she so clearly lacked when she was excited. Clicking the door shut behind me, Frya's scolding carried through the house and I couldn't help but chuckle as I bounced down the stairwell and met them in the tavern.

"I packed you an extra cloak and gloves in case you catch the cold," Frya said, handing me a brown leather pack. The strap, nearly worn entirely off, sagged as I thanked her and took it across my shoulder. Arcturas, now howling by the door, clawed at the wood. Frya shot her a glare and said, "Well, you best be going before that beast tears down the door. Remember what I said, boy."

The night air was crisp across my cheeks as we started towards the city center. Snow fell silently around us, slowly erasing our tracks as we made them. Arcturas, with her tongue bouncing from one side of her jaw, trotted happily beside me.

Frya had been right. Not even a rat passed by us as we crossed block after block down the street. Moonlight beamed through grey, wispy clouds, washing the world in shades of silver as we neared the city's heart. Standing erect and illuminated by the night, the giant marble Polaris gazed upon us with watchful eyes. Her arm was outstretched towards the North with a sharp metal dagger, glinting in starlight.

Arcturas sniffed at her large marble foot, and continued on, passing through the archway and starting up the slope of stairs to the summit.

It was known across the city that the temple had the best view of the borealis. With heavy, winded breaths, I climbed after my wolf as she leapt from step to step with incomparable ease. What seemed like a thousand steps later, we arrived at the peak. A brisk wind whipped through my bones as Arcturas sprinted around boulders shrouded in blue ice. Her thick black fur jolted with each powerful stride of her legs.

"She's loving every second of this," Rune chuckled. I realized we'd walked in silence up the mountainside. The beauty of a silent, snowy landscape had distracted me from my companion.

"Oh, I know." I smiled, letting the frost in the breeze caress my cheeks. "She was born of the wilderness. I know she loves Frya and her bed by the hearth, but it's cramped. There's nowhere for her to run or explore. Out here, she can do or be everything she needs."

"Why do I feel like you're not so much talking about your wolf?" he said, watching me with awestruck eyes. I smiled wildly. A playfulness sparked from somewhere I'd kept locked up. Shoving Rune into the snow, I took off up the mountainside, letting my legs reach the speed they'd yearned for over this last month. With lungs that felt as if they'd burst, I finally reached the top. Stopping to catch my breath, I leaned against a tree and gazed across the sleeping city.

Freedom was as crisp on my tongue as a freshly picked fall apple. Rows of lampposts flickered peacefully on the cobblestone streets below. The piercing whistle of wind faded away as I closed my eyes and let the mountainside consume me.

A whisper echoed through the air, and the ground beneath my boots vibrated with tension. Flurries fell from the surrounding sky, landing on my closed lashes. The blackness behind my eyelids brightened abruptly and I opened my eyes, shielding them with my fist from the harsh waves of green light now ebbing across the horizon.

"It's glorious tonight, isn't it?" Rune said through ragged breaths. His cloak, now powdered with snow, swirled around his broad shoulders as he joined me against my perch.

"It's breathtaking. I don't think the sight of it will ever get old," I said, watching the borealis writhe against the black night- now a deep shade of navy. Strings of magenta and amethyst threaded themselves through the gemstone greens. The breath in my throat vanished as I looked upon such beauty. Arcturas had made her way to my side, the light reflecting in her wide, round eyes like a kaleidoscope.

She was shaking beneath her pelt, but not in fear; it was something else. Suddenly, everything faded away but her. It was as if we'd been transported somewhere far beyond the mountainside. Far beyond the city. A vibration beneath us rose from the deepest core of the mountain and reverberated into our bodies.

The same tingles I felt at the festival washed over me and I fell to my knees- my body growing too heavy for my feet to support. Rune knelt beside me, his frantic voice muffled beneath a sharp ringing in my ears. Lifting my chin, concern etched across his face, he continued to speak, but his voice was gone away entirely. Black spots formed in my vision until they replaced him altogether.

The tingling swept through my body with such ferocity it was almost painful. I reached for Arcturas. She, too, was hunched to the ground, her fur pricking up her spine. Trembling, I stroked her pelt, but jerked away at the sight. Deep tendrils of shadow licked at my fingers and a flame of colors similar to the borealis above us emulated from my palm. Rune's jaw dropped, taking a step back as he saw the light expelling from beneath my skin.

Terror washed through me, penetrating the core of my being as I struggled to stand and stare at my hands. What was happening to me? With startled eyes that reflected that same vibrant light, Arcturas whined towards me. I wasn't the only one consumed in fear. She lurched toward me, needing the comfort of my warmth as much as I needed hers. As our bodies met, a rush of energy pulsed through us with a force so great I flew backward, landing against the hard, frozen ground at least a hundred feet away. Rune fell to his knees, feeling the force of the pulse wash over him.

With blurred eyes and pounding heart, I wiped the snow from my face and sat up. Arcturas lay in a crumpled heap of fur a ways from where she had been sitting. Her face filled with panic, mimicking my own, I was sure. I coughed up the air that had been pressed out of me upon impact with the ground. The tingling subsided, and in its place, a wave of tranquility soaked through my bones.

"What the fuck was that?" I asked Arcturas, now shaking the snow from her fur. She stared at me with a deep expression of confusion in her eyes. The borealis had faded entirely. Its navy background returned to a deep shade of black.

With my vision finally returning to normal, I looked around the clearing. Rune lay beside me, knocked completely unconscious. A deep, black singe now marked the Earth where Arcturas and I had stood. All the snow and ice and cold within the radius of the scorned ground had melted. No, not melted. It had evaporated. Not a droplet remained on the surrounding branches. The ground was as dry as if it'd experienced a long, hot drought. The wind had stopped, leaving in its place a silence so heavy, it was deafening in my ears. Sickness washed through me, and I swallowed hard to keep it from rising in my throat.

Turning from the spot, I ran. I couldn't think of an explanation to give the man I'd abandoned. Sprinting away from the summit, away from whatever had just happened, away from the questions I couldn't answer. I didn't stop running until I had passed beneath the statue of our goddess and my lungs quaked beneath my chest.

With Arcturas in tow, we continued through the city square towards the safety and comfort of my tavern. Tears of panic blurred my vision as I continued to run, stride after stride crunching beneath the snow. The stars screamed in my direction as the sky flattened against the ground. Nothing made sense. My thoughts raced through me.

Panting too hard, I was forced to stop running. Arcturas wrapped herself around me. The empty midnight street brought me to my knees. What the hell was that? Placing my hands across my chest to keep my pounding heart from cracking through my sternum, I curled into my wolf, seeking her warmth.

"Oh my Gods! Are you okay?" Rune called, sprinting up the sidewalk towards us. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe, couldn't speak. Familiar brown eyes and auburn hair looked down at me with frantic concern.

"Ell?" he said, reaching a hand to help me back to my feet. Rubbing my aching skull, I reached for his hand, pulling myself up.

"What… what was that?" he questioned, brushing the snow from my cloak and stroking his hand across my frozen cheek.

"I…I…" I trailed off, realizing I wasn't really sure. Taking a few deep breaths, I begged my fluttering heart to be quiet.

"Well, are you okay?" he said, glancing towards my trembling fingers. "You were gone when I woke up. Thank the Gods I found you."

"I…I…" Again growing quiet, I was unsure what to say. There'd be too many questions, too much suspicion. How could I twist reality just enough to hide when I wasn't sure what was real anymore? Maybe an irreparable piece had snapped in my mind from all the time locked away. Maybe I'd lost my mind. Or maybe what'd happened tonight was real. I swallowed hard at the thought.

"Alright, let's get you back to Frya's," Rune said, holding his arm out for me to grasp. Leaning into him, we started up the street. I was like a moth drawn to a flame for his warmth. Clinging to his side, my shivering subsided. Wrapping his cloak tightly around my shoulders, Rune pulled me closer to his body. The strength from years of hard work were carved beneath a cotton tunic.

Notes of rosemary and citrus peppered the inside of my nose. His scent was fresh and bright, reminding me of sunshine bouncing off newly sprouted greenery. I closed my eyes and, for a moment, allowed myself to live in his scent. To be comforted by his warmth. It had been so long since I'd been held; I had forgotten the softness of another's body against mine. I had forgotten the tenderness of another's arm wrapped around me. For a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy his intoxicating touch supporting me beneath my arm.

Reaching the tavern, Rune dropped his embrace to pull open the front door. Frya, startled by our entrance, rose to her feet from behind the bar. Her mouth dropped as her eyes snapped from Rune to me. Helping to unclasp my cloak, he led me to a barstool and urged me to sit. The candlelight of the tavern was too bright. My eyes watered with each lick of the flames that flickered before me. Clenching my jaw, I looked to Frya, meeting her concerned eyes.

"What happened?" she asked, her words sharp in a whisper.

"I'm not sure, in all honesty. She hasn't said a word to me. I think she's in shock," Rune said, placing my hand on his. Frya dropped to her knees in front of me, grasping at my cold, ashen face, now blank from any expression. Rune smoothed back his disheveled hair, lines of concern wrinkled over his brow.

"What happened, girl?" Staring into my eyes, she shook at my shoulders, willing me to speak. I opened my mouth, but I still couldn't form words. Arcturas padded to my side, licking at my fingers.

How could I explain what happened at the summit when I was still unsure? I looked down at my hands, begging I wouldn't see those strange black shadows and orbs of light. They were the same as they always were, pale, slightly dry, and ridden with thick, spongy callous. Arcturas curled at my feet, wrapping her warmth around my toes. I looked at Frya, still eager for my response. Then to Rune.

"Something happened up there. I don't really know what, but if I tell you, you'll think I'm crazy."

"Maybe so, but regardless. Tell me, dear." Frya urged me to go on.

Swallowing the large knot that had tightened in my throat, I continued, "We reached the summit and were waiting for the borealis to appear. When it finally did, I… I don't know. The ground felt like it was shaking and my hands," I glanced down at my trembling fingers, "they were glowing. Arcturas was looking nervous, but when I went to comfort her, it was like there was an explosion between the two of us and we flew backward." I trailed off, tucking a strand of hair back behind my ear.

"What do you mean, you flew backward?" Frya's voice was low. She carried a bewildered wrinkle beneath her brow as she glanced from me to Rune.

"I was launched backward. Like someone threw me across the clearing." There was silence then. Words escaped them both as they tried to comprehend my absurd claims. I scratched Arcturas behind the ear with a toe. Apprehension electrified the air.

"I know it sounds insane or like I'd imagined it, but please, you must believe me." My eyes welled with a release of warm tears. "You must." Rune shot towards me, kneeling beside the barstool and placing his palms into mine.

"We believe you, Ell, don't worry. We do, I promise. I was there; I felt it too. One minute we were smiling, watching the horizon. The next minute I was on my ass, buried in snow." His voice was firm and reassuring.

Giving me a soft smile, he brushed his thumb against my wrist, leaving only warmth on its trail. I stared down at his hands; the veins protruding like webs across his skin. Traces of citrine flickered across his eyes, now staring up at me through thick lashes. There was a profound kindness within them that buzzed through my aching mind. I wanted to curl up beneath their warmth and stay there for a while until the darkness within me settled back into the box. I locked it in.

Something struck at my chest as I lost what little breath I had taken in. In all of my life, I had never known such gentleness, such compassion. It was sweet on my tongue, cinnamon and spiced in flavor. My words had never been trusted with such conviction before.

"Thank you," I whispered, letting the tears roll to my chin and fall to my lap. A kettle whistled from the kitchen, interrupting the charge that now pulsed between us. Rune cleared his throat and stood, shaking the wrinkles from his white tunic. Frya appeared from the archway of the kitchen, a tray of three mugs and a teapot, now steaming with jasmine, in hand. Placing it on the table beside us with a clank, she poured us each a mug and settled into her seat across from me.

"I'm not sure what to make of all this," she sipped from her mug, both of her wrinkled hands wrapped around its base, "but one thing's for sure. Not a soul outside this room should hear about it. If the city guards were to catch wind of this, they'd think it was some sort of magic." She shot Rune a look through wisps of steam swirling from her mug.

A muscle in his sharp jaw clenched then relaxed, and his back straightened against his chair. He nodded coldly at the old woman and sipped from his mug, avoiding her watchful eye.

"Until we figure out what this means, don't give it your energy. We can't take the risk of another incident. Especially with eyes at every corner. The city folk around here talk," she said.

"I'd like to just forget this entire night," I said, stirring my tea, "but I'm not sure I can."

"Of course you can, girl. We just have to find some distraction. It's what's best." Smiling, Frya finished her tea and placed her now empty mug back on the tray resting between us.

She had a point. If I dwelled, maybe I would feed whatever it was my energy. Panicked that it would grow and solidify into something more, something dangerous, I tried to wipe it from my mind. The rise and fall of Arcturas's chest as it evened into a peaceful rhythm brought relief to my aching mind. The feel of her fur against my toes dulled the panic creeping up my throat.

"Alright…" I said, shaking the image of the blackened earth from my mind.

"Now, let's get you upstairs. I'll draw a bath for you, dear." She looked at Rune. "You best be getting home." Something changed in her eyes as she spoke to him. Was it a film of suspicion that I saw now peeled across her expression?

"Right, yes," he got to his feet, looking at me, "I won't tell anyone what happened, I promise. I have to help my uncle tomorrow with the potato harvest, but I'll come back as soon as I can."

I nodded, silently thanking him for his trust, and continued up to my bedchamber. Their brief goodbyes echoed up to my bedchamber as Rune took his leave.

After soaking away the cold, my fingers now withered and prune-y, I climbed into bed, laying in the darkness with Arcturas at my side. Images I tried to ignore scraped against me with their sharp talons. The feel of those shadows woven through my fingers hadn't felt menacing.

They almost felt familiar and natural, as if they were another limb extended from my body, like an arm or a leg. I realized it wasn't pain or malice that had frightened me. It was the acute sense of calm and awareness. The events of the night continued to replay through my mind until exhaustion took over and they faded into black .