Realizing it was morning, and that she was likely missed at home, she sat up straight. The leaf blanket fell away. Her arm had fallen asleep, so when she moved, pinpricks pierced up and down her arm as the feeling came back into it.
Her sudden movement disturbed Annilen, waking her from her deep sleep.
“Morning, Snow,” she said around a yawn.
Snow struggled to her feet. “I have to go. Yirrie will be looking for me.”
She was going to be in trouble. A lot of trouble. Her only hope was that she would be able to sneak into her bedroom and pretend she had been there all night. The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, so she hoped Yirrie and Elator wouldn’t be awake yet.
Annilen fluttered next to her, keeping pace. “The festival went long into the night.”
That gave her hope. She had spent a good portion of the night with Master Harwin and was certain no one missed her when she slipped out of his house and into the forest. Her heart, though, was still beating a rapid pace.
“How do you know?” Snow asked.
“How could we not know? Music and dancing and singing kept most of us awake.”
She sounded irritated and for some reason that made Snow smile.
“When I saw you sleeping at the foot of the tree, away from all the noise, I decided to join you,” Annilen said. “Some of us had to get far, far away from the village to get any rest.”
She couldn’t help it, she giggled at the way the little sprite sounded so cranky.
As they neared the village, though, apprehension rolled through her. What if Yirrie knew she was out all night? She told her to stay within the confines of the village, within the protective ring of magic laid out by the Elders warding off evil spirits and dark magic that might want to invade. She had disobeyed. Because she was desperate to find answers.
Though Annilen said the merriment went late into the night, something made Snow pause, close her eyes, and reach out with her senses to tap into nature. The magic surrounding the village was still intact. That was a relief.
The village was quiet. The birds, squirrels, and others were only just now coming awake, which gave her hope.
“What is it?” Annilen asked.
“Just checking the village,” she said. “All seems to be well. Which means I can sneak back inside the house unnoticed. You should go, Annilen.”
The sprite gave her wave and flitted off.
Snow continued on her way and entered the village. No one was up yet, which was a good sign. She hurried to her house, slipping around the back and heading for her window. She shoved it open and climbed inside, relief sputtering through her. Her room was empty and dark.
She quickly changed out of the dress she wore the previous night into a clean day dress. After she combed her hair, she stepped out of her room and ran right into Yirrie.
Her arms were crossed over her chest. A pinched expression of both anger and worry creased her features. Immediately, Snow realized she had not been so stealthy after all. Her sneaking was discovered.
“Where have you been?” Yirrie demanded.
“I was—”
“You were in the forest all night, weren’t you?” Her tone was less than kind and told Snow there was no use in giving her excuses.
She flushed hot, her cheeks burning. Finally, she nodded.
Yirrie dropped her arms and huffed out a breath. “Even after what happened that night at festival? Snow…” She shook her head, unable to continue.
“I’m sorry, Yirrie. The forest called to me and I had to obey.”
It was a half-truth. She couldn’t tell her about visiting with Master Harwin or finding the missing mirrors or even learning about the dark wizard. She wasn’t sure Yirrie would believe her anyway.
“Snow, Tasnia wanted to banish you from this village because of what happened. You promised to stay within the safe perimeter of the village.”
She clenched her jaw, biting back the caustic reply that sprang to her lips. No, it was Yirrie who had promised for her. Yirrie didn’t understand what it would do to her if she remained within the village.
