Jade Fern Grove bonji

Heda, she rasped again as the distance closed and they folded into one another. I’m back, she agreed, snaking her forelimbs around the familiar planes of Heda’s figure and tucking her face into the pale woman’s neck.

She clutched at her for a minute or two before loosening her grasp and stepping back. Druid hadn’t been entirely sure what she’d find upon returning to Rivenwood, though to see Heda flourishing put her sore heart at ease.

How are the children? she asked, fear flickering in her mismatched gaze.

Surely they were well, if the Den Mother’s demesne was any indication. But what did they think of her? Would they really be happy to see her, like Heda said, or would her children be upset with her for leaving in the first place? Would they understand? Would they even remember?

Druid choked out a breath as this terrible possibility threw shadows across her gaunt face despite the warm August sunshine.