[This post is from Hecate’s point of view.]
Thordin winced. “I still—”
She shook her head slightly. “We can’t change the past, my friend. It took me a long time to figure that out—among other things. I live with the memories much easier now.”
“Still,” Thordin murmured. “I wish we’d all known.”
“There wasn’t anything you could have done back then,” she said, slowly sipping her tea. “I was already half drowned and their claws were in too deep. I don’t even know if Cíar could have saved me.” He would have tried if we’d had the opportunity—but that never came, not while he was still alive. She closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. “It’s going to sound odd, but it’s better this way—the way it ended up turning out.”
“You really think so?”
She nodded. “Very much. I’m happier now than I’ve ever been, even knowing what I know, even suspecting what’s to come. Everything’s turned out much better than I ever would have dared to dream.”
“Then I suppose maybe it has been for the best.” The door creaked open as Thordin answered her, Matt stepping into view, half-soaked by the rain that had begun to drum on the roof. Hecate arched a brow mildly.
“I see you didn’t get things closed up fast enough.”
He gave her a sheepish smile. “No such luck. Tea’s hot?”
She nodded. “Come sit over here. I’ll get you a blanket.”
Matt nodded, leaning in to steal a kiss even as he was careful not to drip water all over her. “Thanks. Then we can get down to business?”
“Once Sif gets here, yes.”
