Her journey through the air and over the flood had ended around midafternoon, perhaps nearer to early evening. Now it was late, and Miri was hungry, but she had not moved, much, from her spot on the edge of the water. Her eyes hurt, for she had been straining to see who and what was swimming toward land. The only times she had moved from her spot was to help other fairies out of the water, and to coax the occasional domesticated animal toward her. She knew better than to crowd the wild ones, and she remained still as they rolled wild eyes toward her, desperate to reach land but terrified of her. She left them alone and waited for her soul-sister.

Jhela had not arrived, yet, and Miri was tired. She should go inside the castle and pick out a corner to curl up in, or go searching for Rushad or even Joel and Ewan. She didn’t want to go into the castle. Despite the pleasant memory of dancing with Patrick and meeting Lollipop (had he lost his familiar, too? Had he survived the flood? Had Lolli?), there was also the reminder that once, she had shared a meal with her bond mate, the one who was no longer with her. Uselessly, Miri sent a tendril of thought along the bond that used to tie them together, and once again she came up empty.

Miri’s body no longer had any tears to shed. Ignoring the pain that accentuated the constant ache she’d had ever since their bond split, Miri’s resolve strengthened. Pushing her hair away from her face and sniffling a bit, Miri got up and began to collect driftwood. She would find dry wood —there had to be wood in the castle— and start a fire. She would keep watch until the maned wolf showed up. If her body fell asleep, fine. Miri would not stop it from functioning, but the last thing she was going to do was go inside that castle. If Jhela showed up tonight, there had to be a familiar face around. Perhaps if she saw Miri, she would remember everything and come back.

The freckled woman went inside just long enough to purloin some starter logs for her fire. Once that was started, it could warm the wet driftwood she’d found as well, while giving off heat and light at the same time. Settling herself back in her original spot, Miri cleared the area and set up her impromptu bonfire. It took a couple of tries, but Miri knew how to light a fire and did not give up. Soon it was burning merrily, and Miri sat beside it with her arms hugging her knees. She was angled so that the light did not blind her, and so that she could see out over the water. Jhela would have to come soon. She had to. Miri would not accept the idea that she might have died.