Samantha Edwhan

End of the Winter Star

Chapter 9

It was mid-autumn. The warm days of summer were fast cooling into a chilly winter. Plants were going dormant and leaves were turning red, orange, and brown. Rain fell frequently and heavily. Today was no different. As Gerold sat with Griffin in his room, they watched and waited while a nurse inspected Misti’s egg.

“I don’t understand what we did wrong,” Griffin muttered. His deep voice was wrought with sorrow. “The egg should have hatched a month ago.”

“Sometimes it doesn’t matter if nothing was wrong,” Gerold told him quietly. “Not every egg manages to hatch.”

The nurse had a little candle in a glass jar. She held the egg over the top of the jar and peered at it. Gerold felt his heart twist for his friend as the nurse’s face fell.

“I’m sorry. The egg is dead,” she said. “It died some months ago.”

Misti choked out a sob. Griffin hurried to her side and wrapped a wing around her.

“It must have been when Adelaide rebuilt my nest,” Misti said through her tears. “I knew I shouldn’t have moved it.”

“Moving the egg would not be the reason, Laird Misti,” the nurse said calmly. “It’s more likely that the hatchling wasn’t strong enough.”

Misti pressed her head into Griffin’s side and continued to cry. Griffin’s expression was tight. Gerold could tell he was trying to hold it together, but he was also distraught. His heart ached for them. It was awful to lose an egg, especially when it was the only one in the nest.

The door burst open and Adelaide came rushing in. Gerold winced. Adelaide had been so excited to help Misti raise another hatchling. Adelaide’s eyes darted between Misti, the nurse, and the egg. She hurried over and wrapped her wings around Misti. Gerold wondered if she even realised that she had shoved Griffin away from his wife.

“This isn’t fair,” Adelaide muttered, pulling Misti into her shoulder. “No one should have to go through this.”

Griffin gave Gerold a strained look. Gerold suppressed a sigh and got up from his spot. He touched Adelaide’s back with his wing.

“Darling, perhaps we should give them some time to grieve together,” he said gently.

Adelaide glanced at him. Gerold tilted his head and flicked his ear, hoping it was a subtle enough visual cue to show Adelaide she’d pushed Griffin away from his wife. Thankfully, her eyes widened and she pulled her wings away from Misti. Griffin wrapped his wing around her again as Adelaide stepped back.

“Take your time,” Gerold said, turning to Griffin. “I won’t force you to attend the courts if you’re not up to it. Come back when you’re ready.”

Griffin nodded. “Thank you.”

As Griffin turned back to his wife, Gerold nudged Adelaide and led her out of the room.

“What an awful thing to happen,” Adelaide said once they were in the hallway.

“Yes, it’s dreadful,” Gerold agreed. “But give them time to process and grieve. We’ll help them as they need it.”

Adelaide nodded. There wasn’t much either of them could do at this point. Gerold knew she’d want to try and help them, especially Misti. But what they needed right now was time, and no one could give them more of that.