Page 111 of Untethering Dark

“I suppose so. To those who remember anyway. That memory is as good as lost.”

“Does that make you sad?”

He shook his head, wrapping an arm around her. “I don’t need a feast night or a festival. My name doesn’t need to be sung in songs or appear in stories. I never wanted any of that. I just didn’t want to be alone. But now I have you, and this eternal life we’re building together. There’s nothing more I could want.”

“Eternal life, huh?” Astrid nudged him playfully. “That’s quite a promise.”

“Does this forest not prove that I can love something for a very long time?”

Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest. Was he saying that he loved her?

He pressed his forehead to hers. “I’m saying I love you, Astrid. More than anything.”

Some things were better spoken after all. “Surely not as much as I love you.”

It would be the debate for the ages.

Epilogue

It was Yuletide once again. And this year, Perchta was on time.

Astrid stood in a fur-lined cloak and a long, woolen dress, more for tradition than protection against the icy winds. Gudariks was there, too, amongst the trees. She caught glimpses of him here and there, his dappled coat rendering him nearly invisible, no matter the season. Every so often his bloodred eyes met hers.

They heard Perchta’s sleigh well before it pulled up to the front gate, its jingling bells echoing across the mountain.

Thirtyyears. Thirtyyears to the day since Astrid became the winter goddess’s daughter. The same day this forest and its frozen mountainscape became her home. It had called to her, all those years ago, when she was just a little girl peering out into the cold dark. Watching from afar. Wishing, wanting.

Power. Knowledge. A life so grand it could be plucked from the pages of a storybook.

She wanted to become a creature of the night and belong to this place as much as the creature who planted its first trees. Something so powerful, so terrifying, nothing and no one could ever hurt her again. A hag.

She’d gotten that. And somewhere along the way, she found love too. So much love.

Mutter. Oskar. Johanna. Suri.

Gudariks.

The sleigh glided to a stop, and Perchta climbed out. There was a lightness to the winter goddess’s step and an easiness to her movements. She looked more youthful somehow. Thecreases fanning her eyes less deep. Her eyes, though always keen, seemed brighter.

Oskar waited by the runners, whiskers twitching. When Astrid met his sly, cunning gaze, he dipped his head, a silent understanding passing between them. Permission to rest was exactly what Perchta needed.

The winter goddess of old took Astrid’s hands, their claws clicking together. The connection soothed something in Astrid’s soul. Her mother’s touch provided comfort, even when she didn’t know she needed it.

“This duty is not for the faint of heart. It takes a heavy toll, but I think you already know that.” She passed a glance between Astrid and Oskar. So much warmth in those wolfish yellow eyes. “The children need you now.”

“Yes, Mutter.”

The winter goddess pulled a thin, foot-long parcel from within her cloak, bound in midnight blue cloth and white string. Her long, gnarled fingers loosed the knots, peeling away the layers to reveal an ancient silver dagger. “There is no magic in this blade,” Perchta said. “It’s a tool, nothing more. It’s your hand that guides, your will that decides their fates.”

Tears misted Astrid’s eyes as she took the blade and belted it to the cord tied around her waist. “How will I know?”

“You will feel the child’s pain. And you will smell their fear. Their rage, their hurt, is yours, but do not let anger master you. Remember that you bring hope in dark times. And justice for those who cannot exact it themselves. You are a protectress, first and foremost. The safety and well-being of the children who need your help is paramount.”

“I understand.”

“Now, a gift.” Something jingled as Perchta reached inside her cloak. She pulled out a string of bells, exactly like the ones thatadorned her sleigh, and tied them to the cord around Astrid’s waist. “Until you build a sleigh team of your own.”

“They’re lovely.” Astrid swished her hips, grinning at the merry sound.

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