The cold wave abated about a tenday later, much to my relief. Not only because such a long bout of unusual cold was eating into my food stockpile, but also because-. My train of thought was interrupted by a knocking on the door. Soot landed on my shoulder. “Is that who I think it is?” I reached up and scratched him on the back of the head. “It should be.” Meleri, who was sitting over at the fireplace gave me an inquisitive look. I just gave her a coy smile in response. “You’ll see.” Meleri shrugged and went back to scratching Irane and Irenji behind their ears. The two Great Wolves sighed softly with contentment.

  I got to my feet and walked over to the door. I could already guess who it was, and I wasn’t disappointed. “Hello Nettle, come in.” Nettle flitted inside and shook some snow off her head. “Well, the cold wave has passed, but it’s still piling up snow.” She looked around the room. “So, how many do you reckon?” I looked around the room. “Me and mine will be for sure. And I am pretty sure Meleri will join in too. Whether Bahruun and Millid will join… that’s up to them, really.”

  As I spoke, the door opened, and Bahruun and Millid entered. “The snow’s coming down hard, if my cottage wasn’t on top of a hill it’d be buried at this rate. Oh, hello Lady Nettle, I hope you’re doing well.” Bahruun gave her a respectful little bow, followed by Millid shortly after.

  Nettle gave the two a gentle nod. “I was just making sure I knew how many…” Her voice trailed off as she noticed Irane and Irenji. “Ah, so that’s where the two disappeared to, was wondering about that when they didn’t interfere with the Matriarch post-frost hunting.” Nettle turned back to Bahruun and Millid. “At any rate, Bahruun will you and Millid…?”

  Bahruun hesitated. “Is that alright, Ma’am? I mean I’m neither Fae nor Old Folk.” Nettle waved him off. “That doesn’t matter, you’re part of a Fae household, are you not?” Bahruun opened his mouth for a moment, hesitated, and then nodded. “I suppose it could be viewed that way, yes. Hmm, sure it might be a chilly event, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both of us, so why not?” Millid looked up at Bahruun with the same inquisitive expression Meleri gave me earlier. Bahruun bent down and picked up the Sand Devil. “Why don’t I let Lady Nettle explain it? After all, she is the one who is inviting us.”

  Nettle smiled, showing her numerous small but razor-sharp teeth, quite pleased with this arrangement it would seem. This caught Meleri’s attention. She and both Great Wolves were now paying full attention. Nettle, for her part, made a dramatic flourish and then cleared her throat. “It is my great privilege and pleasure to invite Lady Morgana and her household to the annual Winter’s Feast, which takes place the night of the first full moon of winter every year. This year, it’s the village of Winter Glen that is hosting the feast. The feast itself will take place three days from now and starts as soon as the moon rises.”

  Meleri and the wolves got to their feet. “So it’s a party of some kind?” Nettle blinked a few times. “I guess it could be viewed as a party. Although the Feast is more of strengthening bonds than about being loud and having fun. Good company, calming music and the sharing of warmth and food with those you care for around the winter pyre. I dare say that it…” There was a sudden knocking on the door yet again. Now who in the world could that be? I wasn’t expecting other guests.

  I gave Nettle an apologetic shrug and went to answer. As I opened the door, I was met with an unexpected but welcome surprise. “Jaira? I thought you would have portaled south for the winter ages ago.” My smile faded as I noted she seemed out of sorts. “Something wrong?” She nodded. “Hi Mom, things have escalated back home, it’s a full-scale civil war. I was warned to not return until the dust settles, and since I do not wish to stay in the northlands over winter…” Jaira bit her lips. I took a deep breath. “Fine, but your servants will have to quarter in Nekkal, I do not have enough space for an entire caravan.” Jaira nodded. “I figured you’d say that, so I sent them all ahead already.”

  Jaira tilted her head and gazed past me. “Well, now that’s a surprise. Hello, Lady Nettle, how wonderful to see you. You are as radiant and terrifying as always. I hope things are going well.” Nettle eyed Jaira and then me for a few moments. “Greetings to you as well Jaira, and things are going well, thank you for asking.” She glanced at me. “I take it I will have to extend the list with one more person?”

  Jaira blinked. “List? What li- oh, wait the Winter Feast? I made it in time? I would be honored to join.” Nettle nodded slowly then tilted her head while her antenna made a dim and slow dinging sound. “Very well. Shall I meet you there or…?” Nettle glanced around to everyone. I thought about it for a moment. “Why don’t you instead join us all on a carpet trip? It’s easier if we all go as a group, after all. Not to mention flying across the mountains to reach Winter Glen would be far more comfortable for you aboard the carpet. Not to mention far less prone to birds mistaking you for prey.” Nettle looked outright relieved for a few moments before she caught herself.

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  She cleared her throat. “That sounds perfect, thank you. I will see-” Before Nettle could utter another word she was cut off by Meleri. “Oh no, you don’t, it’s almost lunchtime, so you can join us for a bite to eat before you go.” Nettle blinked in surprise for a few moments before she let out a delighted laugh. “I won’t say no to that, I will be in your care then.” She gave Meleri a respectful nod and flew over to the table to wait for the food as Meleri walked into the kitchen.

  I stepped aside and waved for Jaira to come inside. She didn’t hesitate to get out of the cold, despite the protection her Reimmeith gave her. I glanced behind her and saw the tracks from the wagon, so she sent her boys away before she even knocked on the door. Well, I would not turn the kid away, so that didn’t surprise me.

  Lunch was served about half an hour later. Simple sandwiches of ham and cheese. Simple but filling enough to tide you over until dinner. As we ate, Jaira filled us in with a simple rundown on how things were going down south. It was not pretty. Jaira’s own estate was doing fine thanks to its tight security and adamant refusal to take a side in the war, but travel was effectively a no-go within the region.

  As lunch was winding down, Meleri made the dishes take the trip into the kitchen on their own. Jaira was having a pleasant conversation with Bahruun and Millid while Meleri was reading through notes she made from her last bit of practice where she conjured up a small cabin-sized snow structure. Irane and Irenji left through the pet-door to stretch their legs, and Soot went with them. That meant they were planning to hunt. I didn’t mind. Sure, it made it a bit more work with bleeding and dressing the kill, but it saved me the effort actually hunting.

  Nettle finished her last bit of food and took off. “Delicious. You are quite the chef, Lady Meleri. I can see why Ivy wouldn’t stop singing your praises.” Meleri seemed quite pleased by Nettle’s praise. Meleri then glanced over at me. “Hey sis, why not invite Rathina as well?” Huh… I could, couldn’t I? The Fae weren’t as prejudiced against Infernals as more ‘civil’ people. Sure, she would likely draw a few curious gazes… and more than a few lusty ones, but all-in-all it was doable. “Great idea, sis, I’ll call her up now.” This drew Nettles’ curiosity. “I don’t recall meeting a Rathina before, a new acquaintance of yours?”

  Meleri shrugged as she picked her notebook to review her last lesson. “Oh, it’s Morgana’s girlfriend.” Those words caused Jaira, who was busy taking a swig from her cup of cocoa to nearly choke, and she burst into a coughing fit as Bahruun hurried to pat her back to help her. “I’m sorry I... I must have heard wrong. Did you just say Mom’s girlfriend? Morgana “The Aromantic” Byrne’s Girlfriend?” Winter flew down and landed on Jaira’s head and leaned down and looked at her. “Mother has indeed begun a relationship with Rathina. She is quite nice, I like her.”

  Midnight looked up from where she was lying on the mantelpiece. “Rathina and Mother met a while back before the snow came. They got along well, and after a bit of butting in by Meleri the two went on a date together and have been steady since. Though not as openly romantic with it as Meleri would have hoped, no doubt.” Jaira stared at me for a few seconds. “Are you SURE she isn’t an impostor?” Oh, for the love of… I grabbed her shoulder and pulled her in close enough to give her a headlock, earning me a slightly annoyed groan from her. “Proof enough for you, you little jokester?” I put my knuckles to her head. “Or do I need to give you some incentive?”

  Jaira waved frantically. “I give, I give, you’re the real deal.” I let her go with an annoyed huff. “Believe it or not, kid, I am capable of emotions other than annoyance, you know. Though you make it hard for me sometimes.” I walked over to the mirror. “Now then, let’s see… Rathina…” It took a few moments to get the call through, mostly because both Jaira and Meleri kept distracting me. Just as I was contemplating hexing them silent, the mirror turned bright white for a moment before Rathina’s beautiful visage materialized.

  “Oh, Morgana dear, how delightful to see you. I was just thinking about you.” She looked as radiant as ever. “Hello Rathina, I was wondering if you were feeling up to visiting for a few days.” Rathina’s brows shot up in surprise. “Hmm, I might be. What's the occasion?” I stepped closer so I didn’t have to listen to Meleri and Jaira talking behind me. “The winter feast is a few days away, and Meleri suggested I’d invite you as well. If you would like to join me, that is.”

  Rathina’s beautiful smile grew even wider. “Oh, I would love to dear. Get the summoning circle up while I grab some stuff to get me home afterward. Three days would cause the return spell to not function, after all. I will also inform my good-for-nothing old man so he won’t throw a fit.” No love lost there it would seem. “Sure thing, honey, I’ll need about half an hour to get the summoning set up, so that’s all good on my end. See you soon!” Rathina gave me a brilliant smile as she faded from view and I was left with my reflection in the mirror once more. I turned around and walked towards the potion room without even glancing towards Jaira and Meleri. I didn’t want to spoil my good mood because they were being nosy and annoying.

  It took only a few minutes more than my expected half hour to get things set up. I needed to pop out and ask Jaira to handle the dressing of Irane and Irenji’s successful hunt. I couldn’t just up and leave the partially finished summoning ritual, after all. “From beyond the gate, beyond space and time, I call upon you, whose name is Rathina, heed my call and appear before me.” The circle flared up and a few moments later Rathina emerged from it. She looked absolutely stunning dressed in her finery and with her strength renewed after her return home. I stepped into the circle and pulled her out of it. “Come here, darling.” I leaned in and gave her a kiss, one she was more than happy to reciprocate a few moments later.