A part of me shattered, knowing that I was the reason for her pain, for her suffering. It was my fault for getting close to her.All of this was my fault.
But one more night. One more night to get her acquainted with Marta and Elric. One more night to show her just how precious she was.
I could give her that.
I lowered to my knees in front of her and pulled her shaking body into my lap.
“Angel,” I whispered as I stroked her hair. “I’ll stay with you tonight. Just one more night. Will that make you happy?”
“Yes.” She sniffled and stared up at me. “One more night.”
I knew that tomorrow would be even harder, but there were so few comforts I allowed myself. This would count as one of them.
“Come on then.” I rose to my feet and began the long walk down through the valley with Iris snuggled tight to my chest.
Even in winter, Belden was just as beautiful as I remembered. The sloping valley that led to Marta and Elric’s was lined with lush forests, with birds nestled amongst the tree branches. Their songs carried through the air, and off in the distance, I could make out the sound of the river; the very same one that Iris and I had fished beneath the mountain the night before.
I looked down at Iris, watching as she stared wide-eyed at this strange, new land, that at first glance, didn’t appear all that strange. She’d find out soon enough, though.
“What do you think, angel? Better than Grafberg?” I had no memories of Grafberg–only the cruelty I’d experienced there–but I was sure it was nothing compared to Belden.
“Yes, much better than Grafberg. I think I’ll like it here, with the nature and the open space.”
On the horizon, you could just barely make out the tall spire of the capital city.
“Look there.” I pointed and her eyes followed the motion. “That’s Elsinore, the capital. There are shops and inns, and a marketplace with all the goods you could ever need.”
“What’s that tall building?” she asked, always the inquisitive thing. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“That’s the spire. It’s where the realm’s council meets.”
“Like the king and his advisors?”
I shook my head. “No, there is no king here. This realm is governed by a council of officials elected by the people. They act in the best interests of the realm and everyone that calls it home.”
“Hmm,” was all she said, that faraway look visible in her eyes once again.
The sun began to set just as the valley opened to flat fields, with tiny homes and outbuildings cropping up every so often along the snow-covered road.
It was easy to spot Marta and Elric’s home though. One year, he’d painted it bright yellow at Marta’s request, and they’d kept it up ever since. Back behind the house sat the barn, and beside it, the cottage.
“Here we are,” I told Iris and forced the front gate open through the snow.
Candles flickered in the windows, a thick plume of smoke billowing from the chimney, and before I could reach the front door, Elric had already opened it to greet us.
“Selvyn, mah boy. I was wonderin’ when ya’d turn up again,” he hollered before slipping his spectacles onto his wrinkled face. “What is that ya’ve got there?”
“That’s Elric,” I whispered to Iris as she peered over my arms, trying to get a better look at the seemingly old man.
“Who are you calling ‘mah boy,’ Elric? If I recall correctly, I’ve seen nearly as many years as you have.” I gave my friend a wry smile and continued up the front walk. “This is Iris. She found herself down in the bottom of the pit.”
Elric dipped into a deep bow. “Lovely to meet ya, Iris. Yer safe here on this side of the mountain.” He stood with ease, revealing a sour expression on his face. “Them Grafberg bastards. I thought they’d all but stopped the sacrifices. Come on in, then. Marta will be happy to see ya. It’s been quite some time and you know how much she loves company.”
I nodded my head in thanks, minding the length of my horns and the height of the doorframe, and carried Iris inside.
Though it had been ages since I’d last visited, the house was just as I remembered it. Modest, yet homey, with well-loved furniture and a warm fire burning in the hearth. The scent of fresh herbs and roasted hen wafted out from the kitchen, along with a familiar voice singing an old folk song.
Elric gestured to a worn tufted chair, the one I knew to be his favorite. “Sit ‘er here. Best seat in the house.”
