Jade Fern Grove lift back and see the darkness hid

What could she say to patch herself, him as well, back up?

Nothing that would mean more than the silence settled between them. Something that bonded her very close to him in that moment. His rejection had been needed. A reminder of what she was sworn to, perhaps. If she allowed it to be. If the universe allowed it to be. Mahler had spoken of Wintersbane and she knew that, if she vied for motherhood so deeply, then he would be the best option.

Yet it was clear that was not who she thought of here as she was buried into the lavender fields of Mahler's fur. A springtime reprieve compared to the glacier back home.

There were plenty of things she should say the longer she stayed here. Except her voice would not break through her tightly sealed lips, afraid to be the first to speak as she sought to stay glued right to him. Fearful of what came next when she had to retreat from him.