The Winter

Chapter 5

Sorry if updates become a little bit slow; I'm trying to rewrite/edit Rebellion so I can get that published in the next four months or so.

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Chapter 5

Speaking with my parents had left me in a foul mood, but when I found my feet leading me to the healer's quarters instead of Ingrid's, I knew what I had to do. Mother would show up to support me and Hati's mating, and father hopefully would too despite his misgivings, but there was one other I thought should be there.

Eirny's domain felt much like my odd dreams. The air was thick with smoke from burning sage and other sweet aromas that always melted away tension. Magic tingled along my skin too as I swept across the stone floor, causing the air on exposed skin to stand on end. But the door to her small workroom were empty, and instead I heard voices coming from the room for the sick.

"I told you all, I feel fine. It was a moment of dizziness. I did run the length of the territory twice last night, and I've been up for two days."

The door was slightly ajar, and through the gap, I could see a slither of the scene playing out. Farrin was sat on one of the beds, and a rustle of skirts came with a waft of earthy herbs. Eirny moved around him, even while one of his wrists was clasped in her hand, two fingers pressed to his pulsepoint.

"You also had your fire blown out by a god and lay unconscious in the snow for hours," Hati stated firmly, though I couldn't see him. "You're not one of us, Farrin. No mortal body can withstand the touch of divine magic for long. You've not seen what I've seen. It can drive people mad. Beyond mad; they become husks of their formal selves as it eats away at them. Or they become slaves to the one who used magic on them."

Farrin paled at that, but he straightened when a female whimper came from somewhere in the room.

"But it could be as he says, that he's just tried, if there is no trace of magic left."

Astrid.

"Yes. It could be as he says. Those bags under his eyes certainly come from a lack of sleep." Eirny's tone held a scolding edge that made the tips of Farrin's ears go red as he averted his eyes. . .directly at me.

His lips twitched after a moment of surprise, blonde hair falling across green eyes as he cocked his head. "How long have you been there?"

Eirny didn't even bother to turn around as I pushed the door open. Perhaps she'd known I was there all along, as Hati always seemed to know, only he too stared at me with a glimmer of surprise as Farrin had.

"You are getting quiet, Little Alpha."

"And you are meant to be in bed," I said, trying to keep my voice stern despite the genuine pleasure I felt at having managed to sneak up just this once. "Perhaps if you had rested properly, you would have your wits about you."

He narrowed his eyes playfully. "I'm sure I warned you to stop listening in. I shouldn't have to keep an ear out for you behind every door."

My cheeks heated. They were almost the very words I'd said to my little sister. Too often did Niamh hear adult conversations she shouldn't for it to be accidental. Perhaps she'd learned from me after all.

Turning to Farrin on the bed, my eyes raked over him. His tunic lay beside him, and I could see no physical injury anywhere on his bares chest, but he didn't quite look himself. Normally oaken skin shimmered with a sheen of sweat, and his head wasn't held as tall as I'd come to expect from one of the pack's warriors. But he'd looked fine this morning, tired perhaps, but energetic enough that he and Astrid had abandoned me to mate in the forest.