A spot once filled with happy memories now only made her chest squeeze until it was hard to breathe.
During the warm months, Elara spent many days in this field with her mother, picking flowers for their table or weaving them into baskets. One time, her mother had created a crown of wildflowers, placing it on Elara’s head and kissing her cheek.
A chill slithered down her spine and Elara fell to her knees. Grass crunched under her and silent tears leaked from her eyes.
Soft petals slid under her fingers as she ran them over the flowers surrounding her. She shook, cradling her middle when a flash of dark braids and a scarred face blurred her vision.
She sucked in a sharp breath, wiping away the tears. The man’s face made her gasp, but she blinked it away. When she looked up, she expected to see someone standing in the distance.
Yet, the valley remained quiet, undisturbed by anyone except her.
Blood thundered in her ears, drowning out the sounds of the forest. Breaths hammered as her hand slid over the spot, trying to soothe away the frantic hum.
Long strands of hair slipped over her shoulders, a light breeze tickling the thin hairs on her nape.
Splintered rays of sun peeked through the treetops, casting shadows along the dewy grass.
The time between the cold and hot seasons had always been her favorite. It was a time of renewal. Of rebirth.
Still, she couldn’t savor it, enjoy it like she once had.
Every memory of the woman she loved now was tainted with pain. With anger. Anger at herself for not insisting the healer do more. Anger at the wolf that attacked her. Anger at a god who stole the people she loved from her.
Fresh tears stung her eyes and shuddering breaths shook her chest.
She had been too young to fully grasp the finality of Edmund’s death. Now, the loss of her mother threatened to crush her, squeezing the air from her lungs.
Then she heard it.
The whispers. Louder than ever.
“Come, sweet child. Here, it is quiet.”
“Why are you warm when she is cold?”
“You have failed her.”
“Stop!” she shouted, her lungs stinging. “Leave me alone.”
Tinkling laughter carried along the treetops, and a shiver made Elara’s toes curl. The voices taunted her.
Was she mad with grief? Was this to be the end?
She plucked a flower, twirling it in her fingers. Teeth pierced her lower lip, blood sliding along her tongue.
“Momma. Can you hear me? I need help. Make them stop. Edmund. Anyone. Please.”
Deafening silence followed her plea; the forestwas unnaturally quiet.
Her fingers trembled along the stem, wishing she wasn’t so alone.
After sitting there for too long, her knees started to ache.
She froze, about to stand, watching as the world around shifted.
A thick mist crawled in from the shadows, curling around her limbs. With it came a comforting warmth, reminding her of tea on a snowy night. It enveloped her, stilling the anxious flutter rattling against her ribs.
Shimmering light glittered in the haze, materializing into a figure draped in sheer silks, highlighting the elegant slope of her shoulders. Thick waves of glimmering hair framed her pale face like spun gold. It matched the liquid gold shining in her eyes.
