Just Because It Burns

A day had passed since the accident on the mountain. A day since Ikigai had lost the children that she had been growing inside of her. Their children. Grief overwhelmed the injured fae and she hadn't been able to make herself leave the den. Deimos didn't know how to help her but had been supportive. No doubt he felt guilty that she'd been attacked and struck by the bear, but it hadn't been his fault. Even if it had... their children were gone. Nothing else mattered.

Sore and scraped up, Iki lay curled up on a mound of thick furs. Deimos spoiled her, making the bed so plush that the lithe woman sank down into it. The fire in the hearth was so low that there was naught but the red light of embers reflecting on nearby objects. No doubt Ikigai could barely be seen. That was fine with her.

A sound from the doorway brought the woman's head turning, pale eye directed towards the mouth of the cave. The light from behind illuminated the form of Relm and the woman's voice followed soon after. It took Ikigai a moment to find her voice and she had to clear her throat before she could manage. "Yes," she swallowed hard, "Come in, Relm. You can add some wood to the fire if you'd like light." Despite her condition, it was easy to fall back into hostess mode.

"Ikigai"