The next morning arrived wrapped in snow.
The world beyond Raven's Hollow had vanished beneath white.
Trees stood silent beneath heavy blankets of frost.
The river below the cliffs moved sluggishly between patches of ice.
And smoke curled lazily from the cabin chimney into the pale winter sky.
Inside, warmth still lingered from the fire.
Elara stirred beneath the blankets.
For a moment she simply lay there.
Listening.
The crackling fire.
The wind outside.
And somewhere beyond the bedroom door—Kaelen complaining.
Again.
A smile immediately tugged at her lips.
Some things never changed.
«"This is oppression."»
Kaelen's voice echoed through the cabin.
«"I've decided."»
«"I'm being oppressed."»
Vaelith's voice followed.
Calm as always.
«"You're holding a loaf of bread."»
