Jade Fern Grove circle of life

His sister needed help rearing her pups, away from the sea. Druid’s face didn’t betray her mild surprise. The wolves of Sapphique had always seemed to embrace the sea, almost like an additional pack mate. She wondered, had something happened to make Suzu feel differently about it?

She considered asking, though the thought fled her mind when Etienne raised the topic of Anselm. Druid’s lips pulled into a sudden frown. It wasn’t because of his talk of yet another fight, though she did feel bad about that, knowing what she did. It was because the mention of Anselm’s name reminded her of a reality she’d ignored since she and Heda had come across a wounded Amadeo.

I think Anselm is gone, she said quietly, not sure how Etienne would take this news. I wish I knew more but I don’t, she was forced to tell him. I only just came back last week. I’ve been spending all my time catching up with my kids.

And still quietly worrying whether she would go mad one day. Druid wouldn’t breathe a word about this possibility to Heda or the pups, though it occurred to her that she could probably use Etienne as a sounding board. First, though, she would give him a moment to process what she’d just shared with him.