Wheeling Gull Isle the lake is frozen over; trees are white with snow

She didn't mean to disappoint Mou, she thought as she loped along the beach. His touch was appreciated now more than ever, but when it came hand-in-hand with the ghosts of the past. . . They could never be one again—not in that way. It would only serve them wrong, serve any future children wrong.

Doomed to die—

Maegi slackened her pace, allowing him to catch up even more (he likely was well on his way to overtaking her, anyway). She turned to look at him, face soft. I'm not trying to run away from you, she said over the wind, now trotting along, rhythmic splashes accompanying her footfalls. 

I suppose I'm still running from the fire, she continued, and her eyes closed. She hadn't even heard them over crackling flames and falling trees.