Fairspell Meadow Free the ghost that haunts you.

The nights were getting colder, and with them, her heart frosted over. A veil of numbness had settled over her, finally; she wasn't healing from Anansi's death, more learning to live with it. She had to go on. She had two more children.

When she woke, Maegi hopefully held her daughter close—but her son was missing. It was freezing and she shivered as she rose, eyes darting to and fro, looking. . . Sobek? she called out, her breath misting on the air.

She stretched, catlike, her joints stiff as she walked, following her son's still-fresh scent. She called his name and found him sleeping, his back to her. Jaes, he must be so cold without her! Maegi smiled ruefully, despite her worry, and padded toward him with warmth in her voice as she said, What are you doing out here on your own?

Maegi circled him and looked upon his face and felt her stomach sink like a stone in water, the ice around her heart shattering, the pulp and blood and ache throbbing all over again.

Frozen. Frozen in time and space. Dead.

To see only Anansi's tail was one thing, but to be able to picture her son's last stare, his last contorted breath— Oh, god, it was agony—

The Nona threw back her head in a wordless, tortured shriek that dissolved into sobs, reverberating through the still morning. She flung herself upon his body as if to warm him, bring him back to life; her tears fell upon his pelt and melted the frost, little dark blotches—

Oh, Jaes, why why why why why why why why why WHY WHY WHY?!?!