Above the Winter Skies [English Version]

2

It happened so quickly that I could barely comprehend what was happening to me. One moment, I was walking beside Nevis; the next second, I landed sideways in the snow, and the stolen turnips spilled from my pocket. My skirt rode up, exposing the bare skin of my thighs, and the white powder was suddenly everywhere—on my lap, in my boots, in my sleeves. The cold burned against my skin. Moreover, my face hit the ground, and I had cut my lip on something sharp. Blood dripped onto the snow beneath me, and I tasted metal on my tongue. The pain brought tears to my eyes. Awkwardly, I pulled my skirt down over my legs and tried to pick myself up, only to be grabbed by the collar and pulled back up to standing position.

"Just look at yourself," Eldrid scolded before roughly pushing me away. I stumbled backward and would have fallen again if I hadn't collided with Nevis's solid body, who grabbed my arm firmly and held me.

"You look like a harlot!" Eldrid spat at my feet, taking a step closer. "Where are your stockings?"

I knew what was coming next, instinctively raised my arms to shield my face, and backed away, nestling into Nevis's protective grasp.

"Please, no," I whimpered. I didn't know if I could endure another blow to my face, especially in front of all the people still on the plain, watching curiously. My swollen eye throbbed again, my lower lip wouldn't stop bleeding, and shame burned on my cheeks.

"You should have thought about this before wasting your time up here!" Eldrid yelled. "You should have been in the stable long ago, feeding the pigs! Instead, you're wandering half-naked at the edge of the forest. And you've stolen from me, you useless wench."

She swung again, and I ducked, knowing I stood no chance. I squeezed my eyes shut, but the expected blow to my face never came.

Instead, a voice behind me spoke, authoritative and definitely not Nevis's.

"Stop. Immediately."

Instantly, I stiffened. I widened my eyes, wriggled out of his grip, and turned around. Behind me stood the dark-haired Seraph, firmly holding Eldrid's arm. Startled, I staggered back.

"Apologies," I managed to say. I knew humans weren't allowed to touch angels. Could my situation possibly get any worse?

But he ignored me completely. His gaze was fixed on Eldrid, pure disdain glowing in his dark eyes.

"She is my servant," Eldrid explained, pulling her hand from his grasp with a jerk. She forced herself to speak calmly, but I knew her too well and could hear the anger trembling in her voice. The angel didn't know what he was doing. If he wanted to protect me—which was an absurd thought, but why else would he interfere?—a direct confrontation with Eldrid would be the worst possible idea. She would show understanding now but would thrash me within an inch of my life once we were back at the farm. Involuntarily, I began to tremble, which she noticed and responded to with a contemptuous snort. Then she grabbed my arm and dragged me toward her. "She belongs to me, and I can do with her as I please. Please forgive us for having to witness this."

She bowed briefly, then turned and stomped back toward town, dragging me along with her. Awkwardly, I stumbled after her, my vision still blurred by tears. From the corner of my eye, I saw Nevis, who stood stiffly in the same spot as before, looking horrified and helpless. He didn't intervene because he knew it wouldn't do me any favors—he had experienced it before.

"You will get what's coming to you," Eldrid ranted as we walked. "I will teach you what it means to steal from me! And waste your working hours gawking at the arrival of this ship, you useless..."

I only half-listened. My heart pounded like crazy.

Now or never, I told myself. The dark-haired Seraph had terrified me to the brink of insanity; I could barely look him in the eye. But he had stayed with me and tried to protect me, for whatever reason. And he was surely still nearby. This was the chance I had hoped for; it would be foolish to let it slip away. So I gathered all my courage and pulled away from Eldrid. It was easier than I thought, because she hadn't expected it. I had never stood up to her before. She turned to face me and opened her mouth, her face contorted into an angry grimace. But I didn't listen to what she had to say. I ran back straight to the angel.