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The Empress

Jack and I had marveled at the snow I spun in circles as flakes fell, dizziness overwhel Gasping for breath, I collapsed, tears streaking down my face

Lark’s animals fell silent The river’s current stilled The better to hear my sobs I missed Jack so much; I missed Aric so much I cried for them both

The skies opened up with an intense shower of snow, till it’d painted the ground white

"Isn’t it a looks clean"

What I should have said: "You’re about to die, and there’s nothing I can do about it And in a few short weeks, I’ll be so e"

To tighten rief that could bury ht of snow--and all the eht--would make me less likely to be with Aric

Just the opposite; because I could see my future so clearly If he died before I did, some symbol--like snoould mark the end of his existence Later I would experience that waypoint (because everything was connected) and wish to God I’d taken a different path

Death was inevitable Why er? In a perfect world, I would’ve taken ht

This world was as far froet

I decided then that I would map my own journey and mark my oaypoints The snoould sy of another

A new slate But not a blank one The red ribbon would be a cherished remembrance, but I wouldn’t keep it with me at all times

I lay in the snow and lifted my hand to the sky Flakes landed on ood-bye

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The Hunter

Lying in that bank of snow, I gazed up at the falling flakes They drifted over my face Soft, soft Like Evie’s lips With effort, I lifted my scarred hand to the sky I closedfor me

J’ai savouré I savored each cold kiss

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The Empress

Day 451 AF

"You still have only two icons?" Gran murmured as I sat beside her bed

Over the last week, the snow had ed I’d made a decision that affected my future, and then I’d made preparations