Loma walked across her back yard toward her favorite spot, the place that always made her feel at peace when her heart was turbulent. She needed peace now, but she knew she wouldn't have it, at least not without help. Not even here by the hawthorn tree that knew her so well.
Alaric had gone out like he did every day, to do what he needed to do before hurrying home again to worry over her. He was reluctant to leave her as always, but she'd told him she was fine and forced him on his way with a kiss.
She wasn't fine, of course. But she needed some time to think.
Alaric would have a hard time facing the truth, but that's alright. She would face it for the both of them. No…for the three of them.
Loma paused and tilted her face up to the cloudless sky. The pristine blue seemed to stretch on forever. Had it always been this vibrant, this dazzling?
