Yet Eanrin held on to them and allowed them to continue giving him pain. Faeries heal far more quickly than mortals can dream, and Imraldera knew that these wounds should long since have vanished. Then she watched as Eanrin turned his hands over, and she saw the blisters lining each finger, ringing his palms. She felt her heart sinking down to her stomach, to her feet. Why don’t you come inside and tell me what has happened, for I-” “You’re kinder than you like to let on, Eanrin. She wondered if anything ever would be again. Rather, she should have a curt reprimand for him, some sarcastic remark and a scowl.īut nothing was natural now. But a laugh wasn’t natural, and she knew it. “Oh, come!” said Imraldera, trying to laugh, to make things natural. And I was glad for the opportunity to introduce her to the cub.”Įanrin nodded and, without looking at her, said, “Once in a while a kindlier instinct takes over and, despite all my best efforts, has its way with me.” “I am sure she was grateful in her own way. “To bring Nidawi here, I mean,” Imraldera continued. His face was as placid as a calm sea and equally unfathomable. When she dared glance his way, she found him idly pushing at the cuticles of his nails, like a cat grooming his paws. “That was kind of you,” she said at last. She tried to think of something to say, and she could feel Eanrin watching her, could sense him also trying and failing to come up with a fitting word.

Imraldera stood awhile watching the place where Nidawi had disappeared into the Wood. They simply could not shine as they might wish to without their mother’s presence. But Imraldera could still feel them and hear them around her, as bright and lively as ever. And when she went, the colored glows of her people winked out, one by one. So Nidawi left, the cub gamboling at her heels. A fitting companion for the Everblooming, Imraldera thought, backing away again. Then, though she hesitated, she reached out and stroked the lion cub’s ears, which were so soft as to be irresistible, even though he always tried to bite in response. When I have found a home for my children, I will return.” “I have many Paths to explore, and Lion here will keep me company. The cub climbed up onto her shoulder and chewed on her ear. Nidawi, pleased, smiled at them and melted into the form of a girl just on the brink of womanhood, neither child nor adult but something in between. The Haven would be a lonely spot no more.Ī few lights remained hovering around Imraldera’s shoulders and the top of her head.

Shadow Hand by Anne Elisabeth Stengl