Jade Fern Grove Stay Gold

If ever she did see an immortal being, it was on this day. Light came from everywhere at once, pelt warm like honey, streaks of bronze flashing from a sun-tipped tail as it fell into soft sway.

Taurus flinched, as if all that gold could set her ash ablaze. She pressed her chin down to her paws, ears flattening across her skull, lips raised to show teeth in distance-making instinct, raising a wall of ice between this being and herself. She could hear her pulse, loud in her ears, calling to mind her latest encounter with the thieving waif. But this one’s face was soft with youth, and the mouth that parted in startled greeting looked kind, not cruel. And beyond them lay a stretch of forest, if she was in danger, she would run.

The gleaming creature was close, peering up between the twist of root, ends of golden feet disappearing into snow.

“And now you do.” Her ridge bristled, a bite in her voice. But gray eyes held wide with awe, unable to part with that lambent gaze.