The Runaway Luna

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o profound that I briefly questioned whether I was truly dead or if the dark

ar. The warmth enveloped me, the comforting hush of a fire surrounded me, and the weigh

like the spine of some giant beast lying there. Firelight flickered languidly, and shadows danced across it, glimme

ennels they referred to as my 'cell.' The warmth penetrated deeper, reaching the bruises hidden under the guard's stolen

alling where the shackles had

d sweeter than my fear; I remembered Kaela's hands, adorned and delicate, the same hands that had clapped mockingly when they forced my head down in the banquet hall so that everyone could see the s

ke free from it. Yet something held me back; not a

s still there, steady as a heartbeat. Below it, a wide shuttered window was cru

cent that blended with something

ima

into the chill. It was massive and silver-furred, its flank rising and falling slowly like the tide; one ear twitched at

hen ordered. If they were allowed to roam freely, it was a sign of a hunt or sport. It just watched me as if waiting for so

it didn't back away. Instead, it edged

when she slapped me in the orchard courtyard. A sound lodged in m

g against wood broke the stillness. The wolf did not growl but in

e an additional cloak; the firelight caught the edge of the fur at his collar and the glint

gh the wall's cracks. Snow caked his boots, thick and crusted white. As he moved closer to the hearth,

beast's shoulder for a brief moment before moving on as he crossed the room t

he bed. Firelight sharpened the contours of his face: a defined jaw and a scar at his temple partially hidden under

I braced myself for a slap or a sneer; perhaps the iron chain to drag me back. Yet, none of

re aw

t more like a truth he'

pain flaring through my ribs where Aleric's boot had crushed them against the o

nelt in front of me, steady and firm. He didn

e the hearth, steam curling li

ri

e brought the bowl to my lips, rough yet gentle, tilting it slowly. The first sip bur

is thumb, wiping it away like he'd tended to pups

e instruc

calloused, scratching at the

harsh nor soft, but ra

ed the bowl, he set it down by the fire. He didn't speak yet, his gaze tracing my wrists, the new linen bindings, and the purple shad

finally sat back on his heels. The wolf

er," he said, a truth

t. I nodded. My voice came out raspy, "Ran." The word felt small against the wei

ed. "And you mad

licked to

g my numbed toes. Its eyes fluttered shut, as if my heartbeat was no longer a threat. "You're under Ironhold's roof," Mendel stated. His h

e been asleep for almost three days, Gir

wed slightly,

ou crossed into my forest, which makes you my respons

h, your real name. W

It came out softly, delicate as breath. I braced myself for him to laugh, to s

arl

were trying it for the first time and determining whether it was wor

ser, shadows shi

oss that river to drag you back?" His v

ara's orchard pays for

ing my head back to hiss threats in my ear. Bisca's soft mouth promis

a's rope." Something sharp flashed in Mendel's eyes. A mus

ommanded. "E

ut this time he didn't recoil. His palm landed on mine,

rything." My chest tightened. I wanted

ryth

p. The ghosts that were chained to my ribs had existed longer than his Ir

ike embers. Before stepping back to the door, Mendel glanced over his shoulder.

Pearl,"

nce, a sound almo

ow, for as long as y

eaked shut

re cra

ghed agains

rd howled behind them. Kaela's laughter intert

rough the trees, but unde

nes humming beneath my ribs, about frost melting into pin

her

ton