The Binding by Kate Sparkes

Author:Kate Sparkes [Sparkes, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sparrowcat Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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4.

The baby came during the night after my third day at the cabin. I'd thought I was prepared to do it on my own, but a shot of terror nearly paralyzed me as the first hard contraction gripped my belly. I had the knowledge I needed, but suddenly I found that I lacked the courage. I pleaded with the baby to stay inside for a few more days, just until I could get home. She didn't listen. She seemed as eager to be born as I was to keep her in.

The labor was short, and the birth was as easy as the last had been, but that meant precious little when I was alone, in pain, and afraid. I'd built the fire up high in the stone hearth, but the wind howling outside the windows gave me shivers even as I crouched on an old blanket, sweating. Snow piled up outside the log cabin. The wind's shrieks drowned out my cries, and then those of my new baby.

Everything faded when I saw her. The fear disappeared. The vague knowledge I had of what was in store for her retreated to a place far back in my mind, and I fell asleep curled up in bed with my daughter at my breast. The moment wasn't perfect, but I tried to remember every detail so that I would have something to hold on to if everything went wrong.

And now, here we are. It has been a full seven days since the storm. Warm winds from the south have melted the snow enough that the Woods-witch should have little trouble reaching us. It was foolish to hand my money over to a stranger who earns her living on the farthest edge of society, but I know in my heart that she will come.

I hoped at first that the curse had missed this one, as I felt no strangeness in her in the days after her birth. But now, I feel it. The soft hum has begun, setting my teeth on edge, sending a silent scream through the depths of my soul.

I try to comfort myself with the thought that I’ve done the right thing, that coming here was necessary, that she will be safe. It doesn’t help. I still want to run from whatever is coming for us.

The baby cries, and I pick her up from the nest I've made for her on the big four-poster bed and carry her to the living area. She's wet again, and hungry. I change her, and we've just settled in for feeding when a knock sounds at the door.

My heart jumps, then trembles in my chest as the door swings open. The Woods-witch enters, carrying several canvas bags and reed baskets. She nods a greeting and begins setting things out on the kitchen table. I can't see what she's doing. The baby begins to cry again, and refuses to eat.

“It is as I predicted?” she asks.

I force myself to speak around the lump in my throat.

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