“We should get going,” I said and helped her to her feet.
We fell into the same routine we’d established when we walked the tunnels. Except there was a noticeable tension between us, a silence that seemed to seep deep into our souls. Words we wanted to say, but didn’t permit ourselves to speak.
I wouldn’t even allow myself the comfort of holding her hand. Instead, I kept my distance and minimized my glances at her.
After a while, Iris broke the silence. Her melodic hum drifted through the tunnel. Even though I tried to fight it, I began to hum with her.
The two of us hummed and walked for what felt like an eternity, until a pinprick of light could be seen out in front of us.
“Ah,” I said and squinted my sensitive eyes. “We’re almost there.
“Oh, lovely,” Iris said quietly, her eyes narrowing at the light off in the distance.
I’d expected her to express some excitement over leaving the caves and seeing the light of day, but there was none to be found. Her face was stoic as she hobbled forward, paying me little to no attention.
As we reached the mouth of the cave, the smell of fresh air greeted me, and the cool breeze of winter swept over my body. From the corner of my eye, I could see Iris shivering in her thin dress.
“Come here.” I removed one of the furs from my pack and draped it over her shoulders.
What I really wanted was to cradle her to my chest and warm her with my body heat, but this wasn’t the time for that.
She clutched the fur tight and continued onward, heading straight for the opening of the cave without offering me another glance.
“My god!” Iris exclaimed as she looked out at the valley.
I came to a stop next to her and couldn’t believe what I saw.
The sloping hills of the valley were coated with a light dusting of snow, and popping up through the thin layer of frost—were irises.
Thousands of irises in various shades of yellow, blue, and purple covered the landscape. It was almost as if someone had planted them just for us.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in my life,” Iris said, her voice an awed whisper.
“Neither have I.” I knelt down and plucked one of the delicate blossoms. “There must have been a warm spell while we were under the mountain. Spring is on its way.”
My hand shook ever so slightly as I tucked the flower behind her ear.
“Th-thank you,” she said, and looked down at her feet.
“Are you going to be alright walking in this? I know—”
She put her hands on her hips and glared at me. “I’ll be fine, Selvyn. Your job here is done. You don’t have to keep looking after me.” With that, she turned on her heel and marched down into the valley.
I watched her for a moment, admiring the confidence in her step. Her braid whipped in the wind and she held the fur tight to her chin.
Her feet had to be freezing.
“Iris!” I yelled as I ran after her.
She paid me no attention.
“Iris! Will you stop it!” I caught her arm and whirled her around to face me.
Her cheeks were red and tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.
“I don’t want you to leave me. Not yet.” Her voice was quiet against the howl of the wind. “Please. Give me one more night.”
Iris dropped to her knees at my feet and dipped her head as she cried.
