For the first time in several days, Gloria felt warm. She blinked her eyes open and realized she was tucked in a bedroll inside a small snow cave. The ceiling was no more than a foot above her. She frowned and wracked her brain. I don’t remember coming in here…where did… A faint smile came to her lips. Did Seth do all this on his own?
Something moved beside her. Gloria turned her head and saw Elias in his own bedroll sleeping next to her. His face looked peaceful and the flushed red from yesterday had vanished.
A snap and crackle from outside the dugout caught Gloria’s attention and she smelled something cooking. She shimmied out of the dugout and blinked in the bright sunlight. When her eyes adjusted, she saw Seth with a small pile of supplies, roasting a few potatoes on a fire.
He looked up and gave her a weary smile. Heavy black bags hung under his eyes, and he poked a potato with a dagger. “Hey…” he said, then his shoulders sagged.
Gloria grimaced. I knew he would be exhausted if he stayed up all night. She gave him a small smile, then came over to the fire.
She eyed the empty spot next to him. A knot of anxiety twisted in her chest. I have the talisman now, she reminded herself. He…I mean she can’t hurt me while I’m wearing it.
Gloria sat down beside Seth and warmed her hands by the fire. She sensed relief from him. “Hey…” she answered, then she pointed to the pile of supplies. “Where’d you get all that?”
Seth turned over the potatoes. “After I got you and Elias in the dugout, I decided to see if I could find any more supplies among the wreckage. I didn’t find much, a little bit of wood, some food and a few bedrolls.”
Gloria smiled a little. “That’s not nothing.”
Seth shrugged quietly. “I suppose…”
Gloria rubbed her hands together. “No really,” she encouraged. “It feels like it’s been forever since I was warm,” she glanced at Seth who smiled a little.
“I’m glad to hear it,” he said, his tone a bit lighter.
Gloria looked around at the bright white snow that sparkled in the sunlight. The only footprints were theirs. Gloria bit her lip and looked up at Seth. “Were there any other survivors?”
Seth shook his head. “None.”
Gloria looked into the fire, conflicted. “I hate feeling glad that they’re gone,” she confessed. “They were people too.”
Seth grimaced and stabbed a potato. “I don’t,” he glared into the fire. “They were content to abuse you and Elias,” the flickering flames of the fire reflected in Seth’s eyes. “The world is a better place now that they’re gone,” his eyes narrowed. “Especially Shaman Fen.”
Gloria swallowed and held herself – she felt torn. His quiet anger was unsettling and made her feel nervous, but at the same time it made her feel protected. “I suppose…” she agreed quietly.
Seth was quiet and poked at the potatoes again. His hand shook as he took a deep breath. He’s getting the courage to say something.
“Gloria…” he looked up at her. “I need to know...” Gloria’s stomach dropped. “I need to know the truth.”
Gloria trembled – Fear and shame burned in her. The Lady’s taunts and a lifetime of insults churned in her mind. She didn’t want to, but she had to tell him! He had told her his past. He trusted her with his secret; wasn’t he worthy of the same?
Seth watched her closely, waiting for her response. He needs to know, she gulped. It was only fair. She owed it to him. Gloria swallowed and slowly opened her mouth.
He’ll leave if you tell him, an ugly voice whispered.
Gloria’s throat went dry, and she froze. A dozen scenarios played out in her mind, each one ending the same – with her alone and heartbroken. But he’ll leave if I don’t tell him, she managed to argue back.
You’re right, the voice agreed. He’ll leave either way. He’ll leave if you tell him, and he’ll leave if you don’t.
“Gloria?” Seth gently nudged.
Gloria met his blue eyes and stared into them. He’ll stay longer if I don’t tell him…yet.
The Lady’s laughter echoed in her ears and her jeer flashed into her mind. “Will you continue to string him along like a dog?”
Gloria’s vision swam. If that’s what it takes to keep him…just for a little longer… Gloria clenched her fists.
You know, the ugly voice said, Only a horrible person would do this.
I know… Gloria admitted, and a little sob escaped her throat. She looked away from Seth. “I-I can’t tell you,” she said quietly. “Not yet…”
Seth groaned in exasperation and poked hard at the potatoes again, his jaw clenched, and he glared into the fire. “Because it’s not ‘ripe’?” he snapped.
Gloria flinched. He’s angry! She needed to pacify him! Her head snapped up to his. “Yes!” she cried, a little too loudly.
Seth’s frown deepened and Gloria shook, her panic rising. “No?” she stammered.
Now Seth blinked in irritated confusion at her. Gloria’s mind swirled, her hands shook, and anxiety pounded in her chest. “I-It’s complicated!” she burst then she dropped her head in her hands.
An awkward silence settled between them. Gloria gasped for breath, then peeked through her fingers up at Seth who looked at the ground guiltily. He hit his knee with his fist and shook his head.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice softening. “Here we are, about to confront The Lady and I’m demanding that you bare your soul to me,” he looked up at her with a pained expression. “I’m being selfish.”
Gloria’s heart caught in her throat, and she waved her hands at him. “No, no,” she cried, trying to soothe his hurt pride. “I promised I would tell you and-”
“Now’s not the time.” Seth interrupted shaking his head. “This…” he pursed his lips before nodding to himself, “This can wait….” He looked up at her. “In the meantime,” Seth speared a roasted potato from the ashes, wrapped it in a cloth bag, then held it out for Gloria. “Would you like a potato?”
Gloria looked from Seth to the steaming potato. Despite her refusal to tell him the truth, he still chose to be kind and patient with her? Am I dreaming? she thought, staring at the gift in his hands.
“Take it,” Seth urged. “I think it’s cooked all the way through.”
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“Thank you,” Gloria murmured. She reached out for the potato. As she took the potato from his hands, their fingers touched. Both flinched and the potato threatened to fall to the snow. Gloria and Seth jumped to catch it and found themselves holding each other’s hands with the warm potato between them.
Time felt as though it stopped and neither Gloria nor Seth let go. All they could do was stare at their overlapping hands. Gloria trembled as the warmth from his beaten hands cupped hers as though they were made of porcelain.
Gloria’s heart pounded and her breath caught in her chest when his hands tightened ever so slightly around hers. She risked a glance up at Seth, who slowly looked up at the same time. Their eyes met and Gloria got lost in the brilliant blue.
Then in his eyes, her reflection leered back at her. You don’t deserve him, it whispered. You’re only delaying the inevitable.
Seth blinked and cleared his throat softly. “You… you should probably eat your potato,” he murmured, not breaking eye contact. “We’ll need to get moving soon. You…you need to keep up your strength…”
Gloria swallowed and tried to ignore the leering reflection in his eyes. “Right…” she said. “Best to eat it before it gets cold.” They held each other’s hands a moment longer, neither wanting to be the first to let go. Then, slowly, Gloria pulled her hands away and Seth’s hands reluctantly slid from hers.
Gloria tried to give Seth a smile before taking a bite. Who do you think you are anyway? The ugly voice jeered, as Gloria took a bite from the warm potato. Nothing. Nothing but a worthless half-breed. Gloria swallowed hard, the potato now tasting bitter in her mouth. She blinked back a few tears and put her potato down. “I’ll be back for this,” she said, trying to avoid Seth’s gaze.
Seth tried to catch her eyes. “Are you okay?”
Gloria nodded before rising. “I…I should go check on Elias.” Then she hurried to the dugout, hoping the voice in her head would leave her alone.
----------------------------------------
Seth stared at his hand as Gloria went to check on Elias. Something bubbled in his chest, and he smiled. Her hands…he thought, they’re so soft... He looked up and caught a glimpse of Gloria before she disappeared into the dugout. Was she becoming comfortable around him again? She didn’t pull away when I took her hand. A little sigh escaped him.
I told you she wouldn’t tell you. There was a familiar stirring within him – The Lady roused her head. She was close now. Very close.
Seth grimaced and shook the tender feelings away. They needed to get moving before she tried to take control again. He ignored her and rose to pack up camp. As he worked, Gloria’s outburst echoed in his ears and Elias’s clue came to his mind: “She’s afraid…afraid that if you knew the truth, you’d leave.”
I won’t leave, he thought, consolidating the supplies into the easiest bags to carry. Whatever she’s hiding, it won’t change anything.
How do you know? The Lady said, creeping closer to him. Maybe it would change everything.
Seth tied a bag closed. You don’t know that. You don’t know everything.
That’s true, The Lady answered, now within arm’s reach. I could tell you, you know, she teased. I know what she’s hiding…then you could decide for yourself.
Seth gripped the strap of a bag and looked towards the dugout; the thought was enticing. He wanted to know; it was driving him crazy not knowing.
The Lady gave him a little pout. Is Gloria’s teasing getting under your skin? Seth felt cold fingers tiptoe along his shoulders. You deserve to know… He could feel a faint chill tickle his ear before she whispered in his ear. How much have you shared? How much does she know about you?
Seth swallowed and shook. He didn’t want to answer, but the flash of a thought didn’t escape The Lady. She sighed and draped her arms over him. Too much…I know.
A groan from Elias startled Seth and he guiltily tore his eyes away from the dugout and finished tying the bags together. Shut up, Gloria will tell me when she’s ready.
The Lady grinned. Will she though? How many times has she dodged you? Who’s to say that she won’t continue to do so? Maybe she will never tell you…
She’s right… Seth found himself thinking. How do I know she won’t make more excuses?
The Lady nodded, slowly. Exactly…and she’d never even have to know that I told you.
Seth’s eyes slowly drifted back up to the dugout. Could I do that to her though?
There was some shuffling and Seth looked up to see Gloria and Elias emerge from the dugout. Gloria helped Elias up, then happened to look back at Seth.
Seth met Gloria’s eyes. The answer to the riddle, the puzzle, the lock… it was all right there! All he had to do was ask. Seth clenched the bag strap. It is…really hard for her to talk about... It was hard to hold Gloria's gaze. I could be sparing her the pain.
See… The Lady whispered eagerly. Now you’re seeing things my way.
Seth shook; he was only steps away from the edge. I want to know so bad… he thought.
Gloria halted and tilted her head at him, furrowing her brows. “Seth?” she asked nervously. “Are you alright?”
Her voice startled Seth and shook him out of his thoughts. “What?”
Now Elias eyed him warily. “Master? Are you alright? Is The Lady trying to possess you?” he raised weary hands. “I don’t have much strength, but I can bless you if you need it.”
Seth couldn’t tear his eyes from Gloria’s worried eyes. Guilt shot through him. He’d just been thinking about how soft her hands were and now he was considering betraying her trust? What a cad I am. Seth shook his head. No…he said to The Lady, I can’t do it… I won’t betray her trust.
The Lady pursed her lips. You’re throwing away an incredible opportunity…
“Master?” Elias urged, cautiously stepping in between him and Gloria.
Seth sighed and looked up at Elias “No,” he said aloud. “She’s not possessing me right now…”
“Is something wrong?” Gloria asked, still staying a distance away.
Seth shook his head and looked back up at Gloria and Elias. He gave them a brave smile. “No, sorry to worry you both. I’m just tired.”
Elias frowned in worry. “You do look exhausted; you should get some sleep before we go.”
Gloria nodded. “I agreed to let you keep watch, but you need your rest, Seth. It’ll take everything to fight her.”
“I know…” Seth glanced up the mountain towards her temple. The Lady’s calm expression was cracked, and he sensed desperation simmering underneath. Her little cult had been wiped off the mountain. Surely that gives us some kind of advantage.
Seth looked back at Gloria and Elias. “No, we need to keep moving,” he blinked back a fog of fatigue and resisted putting a hand to his forehead. “She’s growing desperate, I don’t want to give her more of my strength than I have to.” He let out a sagging breath and looked at Elias. “Elias, save your blessing for when we get to her temple.”
Elias grimaced. “I can’t guarantee how well it’ll work when we’re in her temple, Master. Would it be best to bless you now?”
Seth shook his head. “She wants us to get to her temple, so I doubt she’s going to waste her energy when she needs to wrangle us three on her own.”
Seth gave a sly smile when he felt The Lady squirm uncomfortably. Struck a nerve, did I? The Lady said nothing but glared viciously at him.
Elias nodded and stepped forward. “Then let’s get this over with sir, what can I carry?” Seth smiled and handed him a bag.
Gloria came up behind him and held out her hands for a bag. “I want to help,” she said. Seth opened his mouth to argue, but Gloria shook her head. “If you’re not going to rest, then you need to conserve what you have left.”
Seth looked down and smiled at the snow for a moment. “Okay,” he said softly and handed her the lightest bag. Gloria took the bag, weighed it, then gave him a look. She dropped the bag in the snow, then pulled at the strap of the bag slung on Seth’s shoulder.
“What are you doing?” Seth said, weakly fighting against her pull.
Gloria looked into his eyes. “Let me help you,” she insisted. “I…I know I can’t give you what you want right now, but I can help you finish this.” Seth stammered for a moment, but Gloria took his hand and pleadingly held his gaze. “Please…”
The wind blew and a few wisps of curls blew about Gloria’s face. Seth’s heart quickened and he chewed the inside of his cheek. “Alright,” he conceded and slid the heavier bag off his shoulders.
He handed it to Gloria who slung it onto her shoulders. She adjusted it and when she was comfortable, she looked back with a smile. “I’m ready when you are.”
Seth watched Gloria push back a few wispy curls from her face. Yes… he thought, a little smile sneaking out. I can wait…she will tell me when she’s ready.
Seth picked up the lighter bag from the snow and slung it over his shoulders. Then he looked around at Gloria and Elias. “Ready?” they nodded. “Let’s go then,” he said, then stepped forward and began wading through the deep snow with Gloria by his side and Elias trailing a little behind him.
Seth glared at The Lady. That will be the last time you try to get in between me and Gloria.
The Lady’s eyes narrowed at him. That’s adorable, she said, her tone darkening. I will make you mine. Then she chuckled, Oh the plans I have for your little friends…especially for dear sweet Gloria. I have something special in mind for her.
Not if I end you first, Seth spat and pushed through the snow as fast as his fatigued body would let him.
Go ahead and dream, my darling. The Lady sneered. It’ll only make the shattering crash of reality all the more sweet.