Page 7 of Midwinter Wiles & Valerian Dreams
I look again where the enormously tall druid had stood, but the man I’m looking down on is strangely shaped, as though there’s something lumpy propped on his shoulders. I wish Lumi had been lower, because it’s hard to see from her viewpoint. Then another fireball comes out of the odd form on his shoulders, and the light from the fire reveals a small face. Is it two people? Is one sitting on another’s shoulders? What am I seeing?
Lumi’s reflection withdraws, and the last thing I see is Beron swinging his axe like he’s fighting an invisible army.
“What. Was. That?”
“A reflection of what happened,” Lumi supplies helpfully.
“No, I know, but that’s not what happened.”
“It is.”
“I saw it with my own eyes, Lumi!”
“Valkie was very frightened, yes? Perhaps you misremember.”
“You think I imagined enormous men with clubs, a freakishly tall druid, and exploding fireballs?Get wet, Lumi.”
She dims her light. “Language.”
“Seriously? You’re worried about swearing right now? My stepmother just ordered me killed, Beron was prepared to carry it out, and I barely escaped from a whole band ofdrowningbandits, forDeep’ssake! If not now, when?”
She’s quiet. Then, “You might have a point.”
“Thank you,” I huff.
I hate this day. I hate everything about it. Nothing makes sense, and everything is horrible.
“What now?” the moon asks softly.
“Aside from keep running, I have no clue.” I return to wrapping my feet, because, whatever happens next, I can’t stay here. “I did have one idea. You know how you used reflection magic to give me that beautiful whooper swan mask for themasquerade last season? Or when we use it to give me rosy cheeks and red lips?”
“Of course.”
“Can you sustain something more complex? Everyone who looks at me must see only your reflections on me.”
“Certainly.”
“Then I might have a plan.”
Chapter 3
Lark
The campfire crackles warmly against the wintry forest surroundings, welcoming us back to our campsite. A pair of whippoorwills coo a welcome from above.
“How’d it go, Lark?” Katja asks, rising to greet us with a flutter of lavender wings. As the second-eldest in my charge, she stayed behind with baby Eevi while the rest of us went to work.
This morning was a lucrative performance that went off without a hitch, so we’re returning in high spirits. I let the smiles and excited chatter of the others answer for me, and only move in to ruffle Eevi’s dark curls and relish in her giggles. She’s always happiest when we’re all around.
With the laughter and shouts of my little acting troupe filing in behind me, it’s easy to forget my worries for a moment. Seeing my family happy is all I need. Plus, we just earned enough coin to ease the weight on my shoulders temporarily.
The fire’s golden glow spills over the snow-dappled clearing, even as a bitter wind whips through the trees, shaking looseicicles that tinkle through the boughs. But here in our camp, surrounded by joyful kids, the cold feels distant.
Part of me is always on alert, always guarded. It’s impossible not to be between this harsh climate, who I am, and the young lives in my protection. Right now though, we’re untouchable. Victors, ready to feast on our spoils. Even the nearby wildlife pick up on the festive mood, chittering and crowing along with us.
"Did youseethe look on his face?" Helkki cackles, her wild scarlet hair flying. “How dare you!” she bellows in a mock-deep voice, puffing her chest to mimic the Point Fae huntsman.
Juani bursts into laughter. “And then he tripped on his own boots when he couldn’t see who swiped his sword! Utter perfection.”
