Winter’s hold was loosening.
The last of the snow melted into rivulets that wound down the hills, carrying with them the frozen silence of the past months. The forest floor, long buried beneath frost, breathed again—damp earth and the first shy sprigs of green.
Crystal stood on the porch of the packhouse, wrapped in a heavy cloak, watching steam rise from the melting drifts. It had been a long, cold season, but it had also been kind—no battles, no deaths, only the steady rhythm of life rebuilding itself.
Behind her, a familiar voice called out.
“Luna, if you’re hiding from kitchen duty again, I’ll have you know that’s cheating.”
Crystal turned, laughter already rising. Lizzy waddled toward her, both hands on the swell of her belly, cheeks flushed with effort and pride.
“I’m not hidin
