𝙰 𝙲𝙾𝚄𝚁𝚃 🇴‌🇫‌ 𝙼𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙰𝙸𝙽𝚂 🇦‌🇳‌🇩‌ 𝙼𝙴𝙰𝙳𝙾𝚆𝚂

II

Dusk crept ever closer, finally encompassing the sky as we broke through the edge of the forest. The doe carcass only seemed to gain in weight the further we trekked.  Feyre and I had kept a small conversation going as we went about our journey where we had slowly started a friendship. The both of us were trying to distract ourselves from the damp cold that crept its way into out bones. The numbness from my fingertips had branched its way up, curling its path across my palms. They had gone entirely numb from the chill miles ago, but I refused to complain. I knew well how much better my traveling cloak and clothes were compared to Feyre's own. I had tried desperately to get her to at least trade cloaks with me when she'd refused to take my own. But the sweet mortal had been adamant that she would do no such thing. 

The only thing keeping the darkness completely at bay at this point was the peppering of light that crept out of the shuttered windows of the small cottage Feyre had lead us to. My eyes scanned the neglected cottage, taking in the slight crumbling of the doorway. As we trudged further and further up the path the faint trill of voices danced its way through the crack in the shutter. The voices of her family no doubt. Glancing at her through the corner of my eye I could see the slight smile quirking at the side of her lips.

I nudged Feyre's ribs lightly with my elbow, "What a quaint dwelling darling Feyre. I truly admire your tenacity. To have traveled so far from home all to feed your family is indeed quite the courageous feat." Feyre chuckled slightly at my statement, shoving my shoulder in response, "Oh hush Cyri." A feline grin spread its way across my lips at my accomplishment, "To think my darling Lady would have been left to drag the beast from the woods alone. Oh the thought itself sends a wave of sorrow through my very being." I carefully leaned the doe against the frame of the door way before dramatically placing the back of my hand against my brow. 

Feyre only smiled and shook her head at my antics as she kicked her boots against the stone within the doorway knocking the snow from them. I quickly followed suit before grabbing the carcass from where I had placed it. "After you m'lady," I grinned nodding my head towards the doorway, receiving an eyeroll in response. As Feyre made her way towards the door I glanced around at the runes along the door. With a small twinkle in my eyes I followed my newest friend through the  door. I wondered what she or her family would say if I informed them of the runes meanings or the fact that they would in fact be very useless against what her family was no doubt trying to keep out. As she yanked the door open, the warmth and light blinded us, welcoming us into the small home.

"Feyre!" the small gasp of one of her sisters graced our ears as soon as we stepped into the home. As my eyes adjusted to the light within the cottage I couldn't help but take note of the two women before me. The first, no doubt Elaine from what Feyre had told be was closest to us looking towards Feyre with a hand placed against her hungry belly as if trying to hold the hunger at bay. Towards the fire sat who I could only assume was Nesta, he gold-brown hair curled around her head and a thread-bare blanket wrapped tightly around her. 

"Where did you get that?" Her sister Elaine questioned. As if the answer wasn't the most obvious thing in the world. Where else would Feyre have found a doe if not the woods? I was half tempted to voice my thoughts but decided it may indeed be better if I held my tongue this time. It seemed that in noticing the carcass they had all finally taken notice to the additional person beside their sister. 

I watched as her sisters brows furrowed slightly in confusion, glancing between both Feyre and I as if waiting for her younger sister to explain who I was and why I had been brought into their home. "Greetings, Elaine I presume? Feyre here has told me plenty about you. My name is Cyrilla, a friend of Feyre's." There was no mention of the blood that lay splattered against both Feyre and my skin. The hunger in her family had no doubt gotten rid of what little care there may have normally been. 

I could feel the slight annoyance radiating off of Feyre. I could only imagine how hard it must be for her. To have to deal with being the provider to the family as the youngest. A small frown made its way across my features as I gauged her reaction. I watched as the slightly exasperated sigh left Feyre's lips, "Where do you think I got it?" Her voice had turned hoarse as we had trekked through the woods. No doubt dry with thirst.

Elaine didn't acknowledge my greeting, nor did her sister Nesta or her father who sat by the fire warming themselves. As Feyre carefully removed the wolf pelt from around the doe Elaine voiced her next question, "Will it take you long to clean it?" I was not the only one to take notice to the way Elaine had posed the question. Feyre. They expected Feyre to clean it. Not Elaine, not her sister Nest or her father. Feyre. I couldn't help but wonder if anyone in the Archeron family had ever offered to help her when it came to cleaning and dressing the rewards Feyre had brought home from her hunts. 

"Feyre," the deep tone of her father echoed from near the fire as he finally noted his youngest's arrival home. "What luck you have had today—in bringing us such a feast." His comment was met by a snort from Nesta. I watched as Feyre braced herself tiredly against the table where to doe lay. A small frown passed over my face as I watched the family interact. Feyre went on to explain to her family how she would preserve half of the meat and how they could use the other half this week, selling the pelt in town. 

I felt my eyes widen in disdain as I watched her siblings ask her to buy them new things with the money earned from the pelt sale. A new cloak, and new boots. A quick glance towards the doorway at the polished boots and the barely used cloak told me all I needed to know. It was obvious whose cloak and shoes belonged to whom. The ragged cloak and the well worn boots I had seen Feyre kick off looked like they could fall apart at any moment in comparison to her siblings. Elaine continued to plead with her, trying to convince her sister that she would freeze without one. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the notion.

While her sister pleaded with her, her father began to come up to examine the pelts. I watched as he ran his finger against the underside of the wolf pelt, watched as a look of fear overtook his features as his eyes flitted up to meet Feyre's. "Feyre," the concern laced thickly through his voice. Feyre and I shared a look, the look of annoyance clear within her eyes. Feyre looked exhausted. The mix of hunger and the cold no doubt taking its toll on her body. "Not to worry sir, I assure you she was no where near the wall. I ensured her safety and ventured out with her. No harm came near Feyre, rest assured." It was as if her father only just took notice of me in that moment. His brows furrowed as he studied my complexion. 

The had ensure my earthly vessel had appeared more mortal in nature. I was not about to toy with the idea of what the mortals reactions would be to my appearance. I had carefully toned down the ethereal glow that typically held its grasp on my skin. I had ensured my golden eyes did not appear too foreign, that the shape of my ears did not hold their usual point. 

Placing a hand against Feyre's arm lightly to gain her attention, "Feyre, I think it best if I make my way further into town. I had best find some lodging for the night. Shall we meet tomorrow in the market?" Feyre's blue-gray eyes lit up at the concept, causing a slight tug in my chest. I knew well what had caused this. I had heard of mates before, of how they were ones equal in every way. Of how the Mother and Cauldron blessed the souls of the beings in a beautiful entanglement of fate. It was a bond I had no intention of following. I would not force myself onto the mortal beauty, if she desired companionship later in the future perhaps we could entertain the notion of being mated. I knew it would only confuse her right now. 

I was surprised at the feeling of her arms wrapping around my torso. A hug. My mate, my darling Feyre was hugging me.  I could feel the corners of my lips turning upwards into a smile at the sensation. I wrapped my arms around her, giving her a quick squeeze before pulling away and winking at her, "Worry not my fair Lady. I will see you tomorrow, I promise." The slight pink tint of her cheeks and a roll of her eyes greeted me as response but she smiled nonetheless. "Goodbye Cyrilla." 

Nodding towards the rest of her family I made my way towards the doorway, "Pleasure to meet you all. Until next time Archeron's." As soon as I was through the doorway, the cold bit back into my skin. What I wouldn't give for a spring day. The mere thought of the sunkissed rays biting into my skin and the scent of fresh spring flowers blooming in the air brought about a sense of desire within me. I missed the good weather, winter had never been my favourite of seasons. I stepped quickly, making my way into the town with as much haste as a mortal could, finding a small inn close to the village center. The interaction with the innkeeper was a mere blur . Before I knew it I found myself laying into the semi-firm mattress of the small room I'd been given. The familiar embrace of sleep reaching out to embrace me with a fond hug.