Page 2 of The Ashborn

Kienna sat up, straightening her hair over her shoulder. “Do you believe we can have a proper life away from River Storm?”

Moira’s lips curved ever so slightly, her eyes saddening in the same way they had when she heard her parents’ names. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I want to try. Is that wrong?”

Ruva stirred outside the window. She propped her head against the pane, watching them, and remained silent as Kienna worked through the emotions inside of her, telling her she needed Moira. She couldn’t be cold anymore, couldn’t turn these people away despite the pain and fear. She’d need to stop pushing everyone away for the fear of their death.

Kienna lifted her chin, resolved to do the work it took. “What do you dream of?”

Moira nearly gasped. “Oh.” She pressed her fingers to her chin, tapping as she thought. “A family. More than anything, that’s what I want.”

“With Tislin?” Kienna teased.

Moira pouted, ignoring the tease when she responded, “I’m glad you’re with me, Kienna. Danek probably would have been the more agreeable choice, of course, but…” She sighed. The words were troubling her more than Tislin’s name. “I do wish to be your friend. Not because a vile man forced us all together…but because I love you.”

Tears surfaced in Kienna’s eyes. She bit her lip, fighting them. She wasn’t sure how any of the Guardians felt about each other. They bickered more than anything and were forced together out of fate, not because they liked each other. But Moira was different, and Kienna now understood it wasn’t out of politeness. She didn’t care that they were forced. It seemed she thought of them as family either way.

Warmth flooded her chest. With room to finally breathe, she realized she, too, had nothing but warm regards for her Guardians. Except for Baila. Maybe not Broan. But Moira and Danek were always there, always encouraging. She smiled and hugged Moira tightly, the first hug she’d ever shared that meant anything to her.

I’m hungry, Ruva growled, snapping Kienna from her trance.

Kienna laughed, pulling away from her hug. The city has already domesticated you. Would you like me to ask if Elowen has something I could give you?

Please don’t. Her house smells too sweet and like the earth. I’ll try my luck fishing. Ruva conceded with a gruff audible from outside the walls. Moira jolted and then tsked, mentioning something about that wolf being as much a nuisance as it was a beauty. She stood from the bed, nearing the door.

Kienna followed, embracing her before she could enter the common room. “Thank you for being who you are. Your parents would be proud.”

Moira’s brows tilted, her eyes filling with joy. She hugged Kienna once more, then opened the door and left the room. Kienna started to follow, but not before her eye caught on a cracked canvas leaning against the wall in the corner of the bedroom.

A half-finished painting stretched across its frame, brushstrokes thick with emotion. The image was abstract, but the colors stirred something old inside her. Deep ocean green, gold-streaked sky, a silhouette of a woman and a wolf on fire. Why did Elowen have that?

As she resurfaced into the main room, Tislin left the corner he’d succumbed to. “I’ll be back shortly to check on you.” He nodded to Elowen, glancing around the curious cottage. “I have a woodcarver to see.”

Moira wordlessly pulled Tislin’s arm. He waited for her to speak, but she didn’t, and they remained fixed, staring at each other. Kienna studied them, furrowing a brow as she worked to decipher what they were doing. Could they speak to each other like she and Connak could?

Ruva, what do you know of Moira and Tislin’s relationship?

As much as you, Little Flame. They do talk a lot.

Kienna loved the tickle of Ruva’s voice in her head, which was a stark difference from when the wolf first spoke. Back when she sounded like many voices meshed into one, as if she couldn’t decide which personality she wanted to play, so she chose them all: friendly, ancient, and growling at the same time. As time went by, her voice merged into one, becoming soft like the silk petals of a rose, though she left the hint of a bite for moments of sternness.

Like you and me?

I never got that hint. Why? What are they doing?

Staring at each other.

By now, Elowen had her door open, ready to sweep the Elvish man out. Behind her impatient figure, more canvases scattered along one wall. A few were already painted, while others remained blank. The potential to be anything. This inspired Kienna, and she searched for spare wood among the disarray. She didn’t see any, but Dove Port had trees. Maybe she’d go out and find some.

Any particular wood? Ruva asked.

Would it be too much trouble to bring some from the Malintale?

The wolf huffed. Maybe let me eat before asking me to travel a day’s journey for something we could get here.

Kienna smiled, then noticed Moira and Tislin had vacated Elowen’s cottage together, leaving her alone with an odd woman busying herself by tidying a corner of fabrics, moving them around without making the mess any cleaner.

Whispers surrounded Kienna, drawing her attention to the mound of books. Elowen perked, studying Kienna for longer than necessary.

“May I help you with the cleaning?” Kienna asked, hoping to cut the tension.