15. 13
13
Thorn
T he frigid winter wind nips at my cheeks as I make my way across the snowy forest path to the frozen lake, my fishing pole over one shoulder and a woven basket with bait and supplies hanging from the other. My boots crunch satisfyingly on the fresh powder with each step. Despite the chill, it’s a crisp, clear morning—perfect weather for sitting out on the ice and hopefully catching some dinner.
Luna darts ahead of me, her white coat blends in perfectly with the white landscape as she bounds through the drifting snow. That playful fox seems thrilled just to be out of the cottage for a change of scenery. Can’t say I blame her. We’ve both been cooped up inside for days now, thanks to that nasty bout of blizzard weather .
I breathe deep, savoring the fresh, piney air. The quiet serenity out here is exactly what my restless spirit needs. Between obsessively waiting for the fated mate bond with a certain infuriating vampire prince to fade and futilely researching ways to quicken that process, I’ve hardly left the cottage. Being surrounded by nothing but snow and trees gives my overworked mind a much-needed break.
As the trail levels out, the frozen expanse of the forest lake comes into view through the barren trees. Luna is already waiting eagerly on the rocky shore, practically bouncing with excitement. That fox never runs out of restless energy. Her bushy tail swishes wildly, scattering fine powder that glitters in the slanting morning sunlight.
I pick my way carefully down the snowy bank to join Luna on the lakeside. “Someone’s raring to go this morning,” I remark wryly, setting down my gear.
Luna yips, darting in playful circles around my legs. Then, she stops to inhale deeply. Ah, the crisp air whets my appetite already. I can practically taste the mouthwatering trout we’ll soon catch, drizzled in lemon and thyme. My friend Sasha centuries ago knew how to prepare fish to perfection. I think you would have liked her. A touch of wistfulness enters her voice.
I glance at her curiously as we make our way to the lakeside. “Sasha? You’ve never mentioned her before. Was she a past companion of yours?”
Luna’s green eyes grow distant with memory. Yes, a dear friend. We met when I was just a young fox learning to use my magic, and she took me under her wing.“ A small smile plays on her lips. “Sasha was clever and vivacious, with a spirit akin to your own. She taught me so much before her time came to depart this world. She was the first mortal I became a familiar for.
I settle onto the icy lakeside, intrigued by this glimpse into Luna’s long past and erstwhile friend. She has clearly lived a rich life, full of adventure, joy, and sorrow. I’m honored she now calls me companion. There is still so much more to learn about my mysterious familiar.
“All right, all right, give me a minute to get set up first.” I laugh, nudging her away gently with my boot. That fox is lucky she’s so adorable.
Kneeling, I clear off a wide patch of ice near the shore until the solid surface is revealed. The ice feels satisfyingly solid and thick beneath my gloves— perfect conditions for fishing. Once I chip open a hole with my small axe, I unpack my supplies and drop the fishing line in, giving Luna a grudging pat on the head when she peers down the hole with boundless curiosity.
“There. Now we can just sit back and wait for some unlucky fish to come investigating this tantalizing worm I’ve provided.” I cock my head toward the rocky outcrop nearby. “Why don’t you play in the snow over there while I focus on catching us dinner?”
Luna gives what I can only assume is meant to be a fox grin before scampering off gleefully. Chuckling under my breath, I settle myself comfortably on the rough wooden stool I brought and turn my gaze to the open ice hole at my feet. A tinge of cold seeps into my boots from the ice, but it’s tolerable for now. And peaceful. It’s been too long since I allowed myself such stillness, listening to the gentle lap of water against the frozen shore and the occasional crackle as ice shifts and settles across the lake. I’ve been keeping myself busy, doing anything I can think of to prevent my mate—no I can’t give him even that—to prevent Draven from entering my thoughts. My home has never been so clean or organized.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Luna roll exuberantly in the fresh powder before popping up and shaking herself, sending snowflakes scattering in a sparkling cloud. The sight brings a small smile to my lips. I don’t doubt there’s some deeper purpose that drew her into my life right when I needed companionship most, but moments like this are reminders that she’s still a fox at heart.
As I keep one eye on the motionless line in the water before me, my thoughts begin to wander . My attempts to clear my mind fail. It keeps returning to the fateful events a few weeks ago that upended everything—stumbling upon a certain injured vampire out in this very forest and taking him in, only to end up magically bound to the infuriating yet captivating man despite my best efforts to resist.
My heart squeezes with that now familiar ache of something precious found and lost in quick succession. I shouldn’t have let him get so close. Shouldn’t have allowed myself to feel anything for Draven besides wariness.
Then again, fate apparently had other plans. It threw us together and linked our souls without consent. At least I think it was fate’s meddling. The alternative is too unnerving to consider. It can’t be that this intensity sparked to life between us naturally.
A sharp tug on the line jerks me from my turbulent thoughts. I quickly start reeling, eager for the welcome distraction. Soon, a fat trout breaks the water, shimmering and plump. Perfect.
As I busy myself unhooking the fish and rebaiting the line, I hear Luna trot over, nails clicking against the ice. She peers down at my catch and licks her chops eagerly.
I shake my head in amusement. “Patience. I’ll have this cleaned and cooked up back at home soon.”
Luna huffs dramatically but seems to accept my logic, settling down on her stomach near my stool. I sneak a glance at her as I cast the line out again. Her golden eyes gaze back steadily, seeing far more than just the quiet, snowy landscape around us. Sometimes, it feels like she sees straight through to my conflicted core.
“What?” I ask defensively. “Don’t go prodding at my sore spots right now. I’m barely holding myself together as it is.”
Luna’s expression and gentle mental tone hold only compassion. Thorn, it’s all right to open up about what’s troubling you so. Keeping it all bottled away can’t be healthy.
I bristle, clutching the fishing pole tighter. “I don’t bottle anything away. You just caught me lost in thought. That’s all.”
Luna levels an eerily human-like look of skepticism at me. Come now. I may be only a fox, but I sense the sadness in you clear as day. Please, let me carry some of the weight you bear.
I stare down at the hole in the ice, watching my faint reflection waver on the inky water. Luna’s right, of course. The burden of concealing my true self and history from everyone has worn on me, even if going it alone was my choice. Still, opening that floodgate feels risky, like I might drown in all the old ghosts that could come pouring out.
I settle back on the wooden stool, turning my attention to the fishing line in the icy water. This quiet moment of solitude is exactly what I need right now.
Luna pads back over, head tilted inquisitively.
I smile but gesture her away. “Go on. Let me focus on catching us some dinner.”
Luna huffs in resignation but scampers off again .
As I wait patiently for a bite, I find my thoughts wandering to Draven once more, despite myself. I’ve been trying so hard to sever our bond, to get him out of my head, but it seems impossible. I shouldn’t have let him—
Suddenly, I’m seized by a vivid burst of fury. Draven is locked in a bitter argument with his father. I wince at the anger boiling between them, thick as blood. Pressing a hand to my temple, I try to block out the sensations flooding through our persistent bond.
But the effort leaves me distracted. As I shift my seat, the ice below groans alarmingly. Before I can react, it fractures completely. I plunge into the dark water, the piercing cold an explosion of pain. I thrash weakly as the icy water engulfs me. I never was a strong swimmer, and the cold makes it hard to move. My robes tangle around my legs. This is how it ends?
A dark shape appears above. Luna! She plunges her head into the hole, teeth gripping my cloak. Bracing her paws on the solid ice, she pulls with all her might. I feel myself rising, the light above growing closer. With a final mighty heave, Luna hauls me out of the hole and back atop the frozen lake surface. I lay gasping and sputtering, overwhelmed with gratitude for her selfless loyalty.
The chill winter breeze bites at our soaked fur and clothes, making us shiver uncontrollably. We’re far from warm, but being out of the frigid water is some relief. With chattering teeth, I slowly push myself to my feet. My waterlogged clothes cling icily, weighing me down. Luna presses close, trying to share what little body heat she has.
I spot the fish I caught earlier, frozen on the ice. “Grab that, will you?”
Luna carefully picks it up in her jaws. At least our fishing trip won’t be a total waste.
We begin the arduous trek back, each step heavy and clumsy. I try summoning magic to warm us, but my powers fizzle weakly. Luna nudges my leg, and I feel a small surge of magic flow from her into me. It helps steady me as we trudge on.
The walk seems to take ages before the cozy cottage finally appears between the snow-laden trees. Never have I been so happy to see my secluded home.
After stumbling inside, I make straight for the hearth. My frozen fingers can barely grasp the tinderbox, but finally, a flame catches, and I quickly pile on logs.
As warmth slowly spreads, Luna collapses gratefully in front of the growing fire, fish still clamped in her jaw. I settle into my chair nearby, aching but alive thanks to her.
Perhaps it is the dancing firelight or the lingering chill, but I find myself softly opening up to Luna. “Thank you for saving me.” I pause, trying to decide just how much to share. “You deserve to know… why I hide here alone.” I stare into the flames, voice hollow. “My family was hunted. Entirely wiped out by the reigning family. Something about my mixed blood made me a threat to them, and they were killed while protecting me.” I blink back tears. “I only survived because my mother, the last to survive, left me with another family and lead them away.”
The familiar pain rises in my chest. Luna’s eyes radiate compassion.
“They were human. After they were gone, I was angry and wanted revenge.” I pause, not ready to discuss that part of my past yet. “I had to disappear or risk being hunted again.” My hands clench into fists. “I won’t let anyone else suffer for harboring me, so I stay hidden, alone.”
I fall silent, the old grief still raw, even centuries later.
Luna rises and lays her head in my lap, grounding me in this moment. I stroke her fur, taking comfort in true companionship after so long.
I, too, know the ache of profound loss. Her voice echoes gently in my mind. Centuries ago, I was but a young fox, my parents and littermates all killed by vicious hunters. I managed to escape into the forest, lonely and afraid. In time, I discovered I possessed a gift. I could connect mentally and magically with beings. I honed this power over the long years of solitude. Never forgetting but learning to open my heart again despite past griefs. Luna looks at me with her wise golden eyes. Finding you, kindred spirit, has brought light to my spirit once more. Our paths were meant to cross. I am certain.
I stroke her fur, taking comfort in this companionship after so long alone. “Perhaps one day, I will have the courage to step from the shadows again, but for now, having even you know the real me feels like enough.”
** *
I stare into the crackling fire, lost in thought as Luna dozes by my feet. Despite our peaceful evening, my mind is in turmoil. Ever since opening up to Luna about my tragic past, memories I’ve long suppressed keep bubbling to the surface. I see flashes of my childhood—playing in the village square, helping my mother in the garden, listening eagerly as my father told stories. That happy life was shattered in one horrific night when the king’s men came and destroyed everything.
My heart aches with emptiness. I never properly mourned my lost family and friends after I fled for my life. Perhaps if I returned to the ruins, I could find some measure of closure…
Luna stirs, lifting her head to study me with those too-wise eyes. I force a smile, but she senses my inner conflict.
Nudging my hand gently, she asks, Why do you close yourself off from your pain, Thorn? Confronting the past might be the only way to heal.
I flinch, unwilling to revisit that trauma. “I’ve avoided it for so long. What if going back only reopens old wounds?”
Luna blinks slowly. Sometimes wounds must be reopened to clean out infection. This burden has weighed on your spirit too long. Let me help carry it.
Her compassion brings tears I’ve held back for centuries. She’s right. If I don’t find healthy closure, I’ll stay trapped in the past forever.
I kneel down and pull Luna close, taking comfort from her warmth. “All right, my friend. We’ll go together… Go home.” The word feels foreign yet right.
Resolution settles over me. The journey will be difficult, but with Luna by my side, I’m finally ready to confront the ghosts of my childhood and begin to heal.