Snowforest Taiga once was a postcard

Enough time had passed that Masque only felt a mild pang as Sobeille queried after her mother. What would Avicus think of the state of things now? There was no use speculating, though sometimes she wondered. Before her head or heart could wander too far off course, though, her acquaintance made a gesture that pulled a surprised laugh from her.

My mate does look after me, she assured. He’s out hunting as we speak, she added, gazing off vaguely as if she might see Riley rollicking after a doe or something. My mother is gone but we have family on the rise. It’s just the two of us living on the peak for now, she said, gesturing toward it. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive partner.