Sun Mote Copse On the 858th day...

Towhee very much doubted that being dead was anything like being alive, otherwise why was there such a distinction between the two? In truth, she believed that all consciousness ceased at the end of life, therefore this must be a dreamscape of some sort. But a small part of her—a part that grew with each passing year and, more poignantly, every lost loved one—wished for something to come afterward. Towhee would love the chance to be properly reunited with Wraen and all the others she’d lost over the years.

I’m not afraid, Towhee found herself saying. There’s peace in simply ceasing to exist, of falling asleep and just never waking up. That’s kind of what I’ve always believed happens. I think this is just a dream. I might not even remember it when I wake up. But I wish I could believe that there’s some sort of life after death. I wish I believed this was real…

Wraen teased her, said they should search for a prince instead. Towhee pulled a face at that. She thought of Maxim, her heart suddenly moving up into her throat. Why hadn’t he come to her tonight, rather than Wraen? Not that she wasn’t happy to see her old friend but some closure might’ve been nice. Maybe this meant he was actually alive out there somewhere. No, her mind refuted, not convinced by this ethereal place. You don’t know what happened to him, so your brain can’t even conjure it. That’s all.

I would lick a billion frogs before I’d kiss another prince, she quipped, wrinkling her nose again. I was never cut out for romance. I knew that, when I was young. I had to relearn that lesson the hard way. I’m happier this way, though, I know that much for certain. I’ve had a lot of love in my life, even after losing two mates. Friendships are just as meaningful. Take you, for instance. I’d be happy to eternally associate frog sightings with your memory. Let’s do it. Or did I already do it and that’s why I’m having this vision?