*Ansuz*
I awake, still in the children’s room. I didn’t want Mother and Anders to move out yet, so I just slept here with my brothers and will continue to do so until Mother wishes to leave. Secretly, I hope it is a long time from now, for I know I will need her to guide me.
I stretch, careful not to wake Ulf, who is snuggled right against me and try to remove myself from the bed without waking him.
“No,” I hear Anders say. “No! Elle, NO!”
I rush to their room, no longer caring if Ulf sleeps. The tone of his voice sent chills through me. Something is wrong. Something is very wrong.
I pull back the curtain to find him on the bed beside her, shaking her roughly. “Eleanor. No! Wake up!”
He’s trying so hard, holding on to hope, but I know the moment my eyes land on her. She’
