“Someone has to keep us fed,” Serena said flatly, pressing the bread into his hands.“Rest today.Tomorrow you may help in the garden.It needs weeding before the first snows come.”
He sighed but nodded, yielding.“Very well.Today, I’ll rest.Tomorrow, I’ll work.”
Satisfied, Serena stepped back, letting Maris slip easily into the chair at his side once more.His attention turned to her, his smile reserved for her.
He had not thanked her for climbing the mountain in the dead of night.He had not thanked her for bringing back the elixir that saved his life.Instead, he smiled for Maris, let her kiss his cheek, let her laughter fill the room.
And Serena, standing in the doorway, felt the sharp, deep ache bloom inside her.
He favored Maris.
Now she told herself not to resent him.Not to resent either of them.
But the bitterness sat heavy on her tongue, impossible to swallow.Had she wished away her father’s love?The question lodged deep inside her, sharp as glass, and she feared she already knew the answer.
Chapter 5
Thedayspassed.Thetaxes were paid.Papa’s strength returned.But Serena felt no peace.She baked, weeded, hunted—yet all the work only deepened the ache inside her.
But Serena felt a longing deep within she could not explain.As though something was missing.As though her soul was empty.
Her father was back to working a few hours a day in the garden wearing his oversized straw hat with the wide brim to keep the winter sun off his head and out of his eyes.
Her sister was back to whining about sweeping the floors, doing the washing, and mending the clothes.
While Serena worked long hours to make sure they remained unnoticed by the crown.
The villagers were abuzz about her father’s miraculous recovery.When she was in town, Serena heard the whispers.Felt the curious sideways glances.One nosey woman hinted it was unnatural.Some credited the local doctor.Others claimed it was good luck, or perhaps a blessing.
The same luck or blessing that came with the gold Serena managed to get for the Hornraven’s taxes and their own.
She knew, of course, the truth of it, but could say nothing about it.She could not tell them she made a bargain with the stranger at the Well of Wishes.A bargain that cost her… Well, she couldn’t recall what it cost her.Something of herself?A memory, perhaps?
One bright morning, as Serena was kneading bread, a knock sounded on their door.Maris was busy sweeping their tiny living room while Papa was out back chopping firewood.
“Get that, Maris, will you?”She puffed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes as the knock sounded again.
Maris huffed.She dropped the broom and stomped to the front door.Though why she was annoyed about that was beyond her.
“Oh, hello, Dr.Graves,” Maris greeted.
Serena froze, her heart clawing its way to her throat.Gods, the doctor must have heard about themiraculousrecovery of their father and was coming to see how it was done.She pulled her hands out of the dough and reached for a kitchen towel, quickly wiping them.
“Hello, Maris.I came to see about your father.”
Serena bustled toward the front door as the doctor pulled off his hat.
“He’s doing fine, doctor,” she said before her sister could chime in.“He’s much recovered.”She forced a smile that hurt her cheeks.
The doctor’s eyes flickered to her, glinting with curiosity.“Yes, I’ve heard.Strange rumors in town, too, about that.”
She nudged her sister out of the way, who huffed.“Oh?”she asked, trying to sound as innocent and curious as possible.“What sort of rumors?”
He cleared his throat, his face contorting in discomfort.“That, ah, it was a miracle.”
Papa shuffled up to the door carrying an armload of firewood.The doctor heard him walk up and turned to greet him.
“Windriver,” the doctor said with a nod.“You’re looking well.Quite well, actually.”
