Fire & Ice

Our Farewell

Tomorrow came, and Stephanie woke up beside Darko. Tears welled up in her crystal blue hues, as she knew she had to leave. She quietly got out of bed, and began pulling her clothes on. She didn't want to leave him, not now and not ever. After pulling her Miscreants shirt over her head, she sat back down on the bed, feeling her tears rolling down her cheeks. She wiped them with the sleeve of her Slipknot hoodie as she slipped it on. "Farewell, Darko." she said, and bent over him, lightly pecking his lips. Heartbroken, she left the lighthouse.

The walk back was going to be long, so she stopped at Wolf Hall Inn for some breakfast. She just had a simple order of pancakes, which the new chef made. Since revenue was poor, because of the bad quality foods, the establishment fired Igor and hired someone respectable from the city. Since they had technically broken up, Stephanie's world felt like it had stopped, but reality kept on going. Paying for her food, and tipping the waitress, she left the inn and proceeded over the bridge. 

Darko woke up, finding the left side of his bed cold and vacant. He felt lost, and his heart felt empty. Laying back down, he covered his eyes with his right arm and let out a shaky sigh. Never again would he see her smile, hear her voice, the song of her laughter and the warmth of her body against his. He had lost everything. His happiness had been sacrificed for his work, but could he move on? He had to try.

The Soul Riders were on a trail ride. Anne had borrowed a horse from her parents' stable, and filly Concorde jumped and trotted beside her Rider. "Do you think Stephanie is alright?" Anne asked, looking down at the reins. The others looked sad, and wondered if Stephanie has left Jorvik for good. Linda didn't want to believe it, but her glasses fogged up as she began to cry. Her friend and fellow geek has just left them. They needed her, but how would they tell her? 

They entered Valedale, and took their horses to the stable. Lemoncake was there munching away on her oats and hay mixture. Anne smiled at the fifth Soul Horse, and offered her a sugar cube. "Thank you." Lemon said. She had an idea to help Concorde. "If you would like me to, Anne, I could mother Concorde for you. Soul Horse to Soul Horse." the painted mare said. Anne's eyes brightened up. "You'd do that?" she asked, and she got a confirmation nicker from the horse. Concorde neighed and went up to Lemoncake. 

The vet had done her rounds last night for a basic check-up on the horses, and when she had come to Lemoncake, they had found she had miscarried. How far along the mare was, or who the father was, remains unclear. However, Lemoncake's hormones were at the level as if she had just given birth, so she could provide the Guardian of the Sun Circle with what they needed. 

Steph stopped at Nilmer's Highland, where she just completely broke down. "Darko..." She wept, sliding down the wall of the old barn, and hugging her knees. She pulled out the pendant from underneath her shirt, and held it firmly in her right fist. The tears still flowed, but no sound came from the Soul Rider. If she could run back to him she would. Stephanie stood up and decided to risk it, and began running back to the lighthouse.

Anne and the other girls took Lemoncake and Concorde up to the mountain paddock. Rhiannon was there, and she had a smile of approval on her face. "It's nice to know Concorde has a foster mother." She said. "Yeah. Concorde will be back with us in no time!" Alex said. Linda chuckled and shook her head. "Foals don't grow up over night." She giggled. Alex folded her arms and pouted before speaking, "I know. Was just sayin is all." She muttered. Concorde was happily feeding from Lemoncake, and the fifth Soul Horse has a loving, motherly gaze in her eyes.

Darko was filing some of his paperwork away, when he heard the front door bang open. He went downstairs to see what was going on, only to feel arms around his neck, and soft lips upon his own. He knew exactly who they belonged to, and melted into her. "What are you doing here?" Darko said, as they pulled away. He saw her tear stained face and her captivating eyes were bloodshot and puffy from crying. "I can't. I just can't. Leaving you, breaking up with you. It feels wrong, I can't bear to be apart from you. I love you." She wept. Darko tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I know, Phoenix. The truth is that we're walking on thin ice. We can't risk being-"