Long Winters End by Katica Locke

Author:Katica Locke [Locke, Katica]
Language: nld
Format: epub
Tags: erotic MM, Romance MM
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

***

Myrran jerked awake, slumped over on his side, his mother kneeling beside him,

her hand on his shoulder. A rich, savory aroma filled the air, emanating from the bowl in her other hand, and Myrran's empty stomach knotted up, gurgling loudly in the silence.

"You need to eat," she said, holding the bowl out to him. He glanced into it, a wave of disgust washing over him at the sight of the dark, greasy scraps of meat.

"Get that away from me," he said through his teeth, bracing himself against the wall as he lurched to his feet. Feeling sick to his stomach, he stumbled outside, where the stench of roasting meat hung thick in the air. All around him, his people were devouring Ilevet's flesh, some of them gnawing on his bones like dogs, and the spirit's beautiful, sable skin was stretched over a framework, drying beside the fire. He stepped aside as his siblings ran past, laughing, their hands and lips shiny with grease.

Overwhelmed by the unspeakable horror around him, Myrran wandered around

the village, finding a quiet, sheltered spot behind one of the other lodges. Leaning back against the outside wall, he stared out into the woods, watching the blue-gray shadows

deepen as darkness crept over the valley. As night fell, the winds rose, keening through the trees, a mournful wail that rose and fell, as through the whole valley were weeping.

Pulling the collar of his robe up around his face, Myrran ventured out from behind

the lodge to find the village deserted. He could see light shining beneath the skins

hanging over doorways, and hear voices raised in song, but it was unusual to have no one tending the fire, especially in a storm. As he moved toward the glowing pit of flickering coals, Myrran's gaze moved from the giant rabbit skin to the bones scattered about, the skull staring sightlessly at him.

"I'm sorry," Myrran whispered. "There was nothing I could do." But there was something he could do now. Drawing the knife hanging at his belt, he cut the hide down

and collected all the bones he could find, piling them in the center of the skin. Gathering up the gruesome bundle, he slung it over his back and bowed his head into the wind as he left the village for the last time.

Struggling through the buffeting winds and blinding snow, Myrran was exhausted

by the time the great stone monoliths of the sacred circle loomed up out of the darkness.

His breath coming in ragged gasps, he dropped his burden beside the altar and swept the piled snow from the stone slab with his arms. Gently, he lifted the skin full of bones onto the altar, tears freezing to his cheeks as he smoothed the long ears and folded the silky paws on top of the bundle.

Reaching into his pocket, Myrran pulled out the beautiful, rainbow swirled egg,

running his fingertips across the bright, smooth surface before setting the egg upon the skin. He did not deserve forgiveness, none of them did.

The wind howled around

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