They set out again the following day. Shri rode with Lamin on the wagon so she wouldn’t slow the group down, wrapped tightly in layers of blankets. She had clothes, but they weren’t enough to handle this biting cold, especially for extended periods outside. Shan walked beside the wagon, looking worn. He’d barely slept the night before—the crowded camp and constant sounds had been too much. Loka held his hand, and he glanced down at it with a hint of uncertainty. “Are you sure you want to do that?” he asked softly. She tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “We’re wearing gloves,” she pointed out. “I know,” he replied, his gaze dropping to the ground as they walked. “But after yesterday, I wasn’t sure how much you’d want to touch me.” “Yesterday didn’t leave anything to read. It was just a slow change,” Loka reassured him, squeezing his hand slightly. “It felt like more,” Shan murmured. “I didn’t mean that it wasn’t. It was, but there’s nothing to read. And even if there were, it wouldn’t change anything.” Her voice was firm, gentle, but unyielding. He let out a quiet sigh, relief mingling with the lingering tension. “I’m glad. I know this can’t last forever. I love you, and I don’t want to lose you… but I don’t want to hurt you either.” Loka stopped in her tracks, causing Shan to pause as well. She looked up at him, a spark of surprise and warmth in her eyes. “You love me?” He grinned, tugging her hand gently to keep her moving forward. “I do.” She let out a breath, her expression softening as she glanced away, almost shy. “I never thought I’d say this, but I love you too.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, but walking in the snow made it awkward, and she quickly shifted back, chuckling. “While we may not be as physical as others, I hope this does last. For a good, long time.” “Being physical isn’t what’s most important to me,” Shan replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “I just want someone to be with.” Loka’s smile widened, and she gave his hand another squeeze. “Then I guess we’re a perfect match.” *** A short distance behind, Chapado noticed the two walking together. “Are Shan and Loka holding hands?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. Kritalla laughed and nudged her. “Loka? Are you sure she’s not just checking him for frostbite?” They saw Loka resting her head on Shan’s shoulder. “Shades of night, I thought she liked women,” he chuckled. Chapado chuckled, shaking her head. “No, she lets people think that to keep the men at bay. Lonna even pretended to be her lover for a while.” “Oh, I remember that.” Kritalla smiled, shaking his head at the memory. “Though we know Lonna preferred men. Not that she was as bad as her mother.” Chapado raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming. “You’re really enjoying the fact that I can’t cast right now, aren’t you?” “Enjoying? Not at all, ma’am,” Kritalla replied playfully. “You’ve never gotten past my shields anyway.” Tercala chuckled. “And if she could, he could always hide behind her big sister.” Morina, walking nearby, rolled her eyes. “He fights his own battles. If he’s foolish enough to pick a fight with her, then he can suffer the consequences.” Kritalla grinned, turning to Lanni, who had joined them. “Lanni, you’d help your old grandpa, wouldn’t you?” Lanni raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Is this the grandpa who has been tormenting my mate since they met and nearly gave him a panic attack?” Kritalla held up his hands defensively. “I apologized for that. I didn’t realize what had happened at the time. I was thinking more of the grandpa who helped you hide from Lyra and your family.” “Oh, you mean the grandpa who didn’t tell me he was my grandpa or that he knew my father?” Lanni shot back with a mischievous glint in her eye. Tercala laughed heartily. “You won’t win this one, Kritalla.” Kritalla sighed, raising his eyes to the sky. “I know. I never do.” Morina, smiling, chimed in, “I told him not to reveal his relation to the royal family. But the fact that he knew Lanni’s father—that’s between him and her father.” Marn approached them, saluting. “We’re about a day away from the village I grew up in. My parents might let us stay in their barn for the night.” “It might be beneficial for Samar and Shri.” Morina nodded thoughtfully. “And for Shan and Sifa, too. This constant cold can’t be good for the baby, and Shan looked terrible last night,” Marn agreed. Lanni agreed. “We’ll talk to them when we reach the village. Best to have Areen ride in the wagon for now. Don’t want any trouble if her parents see her.” Marn sighed, giving her a grateful look. “Or Birno.” He’d do what it took to protect her. *** Lanni moved through the snowy path to inform the others about the plan to stop at Marn’s family’s barn that night. As she walked, she noticed Trema staying close to Zan, who seemed more subdued today. He’d put his charms away, conserving their power for later, and watched the path with a steady, focused expression. Jahan walked beside the wagon, keeping a close eye on Shri as promised. He matched the wagon’s pace, alert and ready, while she sat perched on the edge of the driver’s seat. When Shri saw Lanni approaching, she waved enthusiastically. “Lanni! I got to drive today!” Lanni couldn’t help but smile at the young girl’s excitement. “That’s great! I think I was in my teens before I first learned to drive.” “I was fifty-two,” Samar added from the back of the wagon with a chuckle. Shri looked up at Lanni with wide eyes, giggling. “He’s two hundred now! Elves live a long time.” Lanni chuckled, nodding. “They certainly do. I even know an elf who’s almost as old as I am.” Shri’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “How old are you?” Lanni thought for a moment, a little smile playing on her lips. “About a thousand years.” Shri’s jaw dropped. “Wow! You’re the oldest person ever!” Lanni laughed softly, shaking her head. “Actually, in this group, Morina is the oldest. She’s so old, she can’t even remember how old she is anymore.” Shri blinked, then looked back at Lanni with a thoughtful expression. “I’m immortal, too. How old will I be?” Lanni leaned in a little closer, playfully tapping Shri’s nose. “If you take good care of yourself, you could live to be about a thousand years or so, too.” Shri’s face lit up with excitement. “Really?” Samar nodded, giving her a serious look. “Yes, but you’ve got to take care of yourself.” Shri grinned, catching on to the playful tone. “And eat my vegetables?” Lanni nodded, keeping a straight face as she added, “Absolutely.” “And be good and stay out of trouble,” Jahan said with a wink. Shri crossed her arms. “And I’ll learn magic, too—Samar’s teaching me!” Samar raised a hand, laughing. “Now, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. We aren’t casting just yet,” he clarified. “She saw me in the wagon yesterday. That was all the warning she needed. I gave her a little instruction, that’s all.” Shri puffed her chest out a bit, glancing back at the group with a grin. “But once we’re past that magic eater, we can practice, right?” Lanni looked to Samar, raising an eyebrow. “Magic eater?” she repeated, curiosity piqued. Samar shook his head. “We’ve been trying to ask her about that, but we’re not getting much of an explanation,” he said, glancing at Shri with a grin. “When we stop, Drepal can talk with her,” Lanni suggested thoughtfully. Samar looked a bit skeptical. “You want Drepal to question a child?” he asked, frowning. Lanni crossed her arms, looking back at him with a confident smile. “Drepal’s perfectly capable of talking to people without hurting them. And she’s probably the best person for getting to the bottom of things. She’s half-dragon, remember?” Shri’s eyes widened again. “Is she a scary dragon?” Jahan bent down to her level, offering her a reassuring grin. “Nah, dragons are always nice to kids. Drepal might look intimidating, but she’s got a kind heart. Of course,” Jahan promised. “We’ll both be close by. You’ve got nothing to worry about.” Lanni gave Shri a gentle pat on the shoulder. “You’re going to be just fine, Shri. We’ll all be right here with you.” The group continued, their footsteps crunching rhythmically through the snow as they descended the trail. A sense of warmth and companionship warded off the cold around them. #fantasy #magic #dragons #hiddenlands