That night, I slept in the pup’s chamber while Kurt stayed in Zelda’s den.
On the first night after signing the separation pact, we silently completed our parting.
In the following days, I finalized the clan’s dissolution rites and sorted through my personal tokens and assets.
Kurt still spent time with Ethan and me during daylight hours, but each night, he returned to Zelda’s sleeping furs.
He held Ethan, patting her tiny back to soothe her, murmuring to himself, “When she is better, we will take a family carving together.”
“Perhaps we should make one every year.”
I forced a smile. Not a good idea. I leave at dawn.
Kurt, there is no future for us.
The night before my departure, I carried Ethan into the master cavern.
Only one token of me remained on the wall: our mating carving.
“Sister, are you still awake?”
The familiar rose-sweet scent drifted in. I tensed. “What are you doing here?”
Zelda stepped inside carrying a lit herbal flame-lamp. “Kurt gifted me a set today. The scent is Albizzia. He said you might like it since I do not.”
My hands curled into fists.
Once, Kurt gave me everything I loved.
When did I become someone who received what Zelda rejected?
Zelda smiled, though something sharp glinted beneath. “Do you know what happened to the Albizzia tree in the garden hollow?”
I shook my head. It didn’t matter anymore. That place now belonged to their ‘bond tree.’
“Burned to ash,” she whispered. “I saw Kurt light the fire himself.”
I told myself it did not matter. Yet my heart ached all the same.
Seeing no reaction, Zelda let her smile fade. She watched me for a long moment, then flicked her hand.
The lamp flew from her grasp, striking the curtain of woven grass.
Flames erupted instantly.
“What are you doing?”
She shut the door behind her, madness flashing in her eyes. “Tell me, who do you think Kurt will save?”
Then she contorted her face in terror and shoved me hard.
“Yvonne! What are you doing? Kurt, help me!”
The flames surged, and I turned my back to shield Ethan.
Pain tore through me.
I hit the ground, rolling to extinguish the fire on my skin. The agony drained every breath in my body.
The smoke thickened. Kurt kicked open the door and saw Zelda first.
“Zelda! Get up!”
“My legs… Kurt, they hurt so much,” she cried.
“Come here. I’ve got you.”
“Kurt…” I rasped, “Please… help me. Take Ethan…”
“Yvonne.” He finally turned toward me and froze at the sight of my burned back.
“Don’t fear. I’ll take you to the healer’s cave. They will mend you. There won’t be a scar.”
“Cough… cough… Kurt…”
Zelda’s coughing shattered his resolve.
He drew his hand away from mine.
“There is too much smoke. Zelda’s throat cannot handle it, Yvonne.”
“Kurt!” I grabbed his wrist with the last of my strength. “Take Ethan out first. Please.”
“Kurt… cough… cough…”
His panic hardened into decision.
He tore his hand from mine and turned away.
“Yvonne, hold on. I will send someone for you.”
“Kurt!”
Flames rose between us like a wall, drawing a brutal line.
Zelda’s throat mattered more than my life or our pup’s.
I should have known.
Holding Ethan close, tears burned down my face. “I’m sorry, little one. I failed you again.”
Just as all hope drained away, the window covering shattered.
A tall figure stepped through the fire.
“Midnight,” the Ferryman said, extending his hand. “Seems I arrived just in time.”
From the sky-beast’s saddle, I watched the fire devour the mating carving on the wall.
Every last trace of me in that den was gone.
Kurt, we will never meet again.
