She’s sleeping.
MINE.
Incorrect.
WANT BRINGER.
Yes, I know. If you’re going to just wander in the cold shouting “MINE” over and over, you might as well relinquish yourself to me and let me sleep below.
NO.
Then find something to hunt already. At this rate, I’ll be asleep the entire day and won’t even get to see her.
HUNGER.
Then eat, you dolt.
NOT FOR DEER.
Go find where she bled in the snow. That will satisfy you for now.
SCENT.
FOUND.
SWEET.
I don’t doubt it. Settle in, Beast. It’s been a long night.
SLEEPNEAR BRINGER.
Absolutely not.
YES.
No.
YES.
Goddessdamn you! If you lay a single claw on her, so help me?—
JUST SLEEP.
…Alright. Just this once. I’ll show you the way if you promise to be gone by the time she wakes.
MINE.
No. But perhaps our savior, my friend.
CHAPTER 16
Reshina
Sleep took me,but not for long. I hadn’t been able to sleep more than a few hours at a time for a few centuries, and even though I’d been dragged into the Underrealm, attacked by creatures I had no knowledge existed, and had barely escaped the jaws of a monstrous Beast, I woke just two hours after my eyes closed for the night.
Dawn was approaching according to the tall clock near the fireplace. After preparing myself for my tasks of the day, I donned the single gown Piffle had left in the wardrobe.
It was a deep sapphire blue—a color I rarely wore, but I could at least pretend to like instead of one of those pink rosebud pieces he’d rightfully pulled from their hangers. The neckline cut a square at my chest and the sleeves ended at my elbows, cascading into a black lace frill. I yanked the corset ties out of the back, making space for my wings—another adjustment I’d have to mention to Piffle. I shoved the strings into my pocket. For now, the top of the dress would stay, but I’d need Piffle’s help to add the strings back into their loops if I planned to keep the dress from falling off my chest throughout the day.
