Page 31 of Holly and Ivar
“Is it just me, or does it seem like those animals are waiting for us to pass?”Ivar asked, his voice low.
“It’s not just you.”
“Animals act differently before a storm.But no storms were forecast for today.”
She’d only taken a few more steps when the humming began—a low thrum that vibrated through the earth.
Was this what her father had meant for her to feel?The living pulse of a Yule vein?She’d lived above one all her life and had never noticed this sensation.Had she simply stopped detecting it, the way you stop hearing the steady rhythm of a fan?Or was this something new?Something… waiting?
Because now, with each step, it grew stronger.It wasn’t just beneath her feet.It was inside her, in her bones and breath, a steady deep rhythm that urged her forward.Not like a hand tugging, but like gravity remembering her name.
Never had anything reached for her like this.Called to her.
Chosen her.
The weight of her broom grew heavy against her shoulder, and she slowed to adjust the strap.She wasn’t afraid, but falling into step beside Ivar instead of ahead was a comfort.His nearness steadied her, the pull of him almost as irresistible as the one pulling her forward.
She glanced up.Light filtered through the branches, catching his face in fractured glints that made him seem almost otherworldly.Forest and man blending until she couldn’t tell where one ended, and the other began.
She blinked away the image.
“Keep going,” he said.“We’re close.”And in that moment, she knew it was calling to him too.
Her fingers brushed the broom handle at her side to find it vibrating.
They continued, the wind blowing away the snow to form a path.
“This is off every trail I’ve ever taken.We’re heading toward the canyon edge.I’m not sure how we’re going to get down there.”
Notif.Buthow.Because they both knew instinctively that they must.
A strong, sudden gust of wind whipped through the trees, causing the broom to pulse harder against her side.Then it lurched forward in a burst, sending her face-first into the snow.
“What happened?”Ivar crouched beside her, offering his hand.
“It’s the tree.Yourtree.I know you hear it calling you.”
He opened his mouth, then closed it again.His eyes darted toward the horizon.“I…” he began, but before he could say more, the broom shot forward again, this time knocking Holly into him, and they both tumbled into the snow.
“What the heck is going on?”Ivar snapped.“I need answers, Holly.Now.”
“The tree, Ivar.It’s calling us.You know it is.”She tossed her gloves aside, her fingers shaking as she unstrapped the broom, holding it tightly.“We need to go.”
It trembled once.Then again, like a bird ready to take flight.She turned back to Ivar, his expression a mix of fear, disbelief, and wonder.The broom tugged again.She swung a leg over it and held out her hand.“Leave your bag with mine and climb on.”
He didn’t move.“Holly—”
“Please, Ivar.”She met his eyes and held him there.Pleading.
“I don’t understand.”
“I know.But I need you to trust me.”
He hesitated for one heartbeat, maybe two, before dropping his bag and climbing on.“You sure about this?”
“Not at all,” she said, smiling faintly.“Now hold on tight.It’s been a while since I’ve done this.”
“Wait.What?”he said, his question turning into a yell as they lifted.
