But I had nothing to fear in the waters that coursed through my home. Power is not necessarily perversion. If I moved when I needed to move, I did not oppose the force. Instead, I was able to enjoy it.

After enough time, I left the mighty river, refreshed and brimming with gratitude. I returned upstream and pulled the dress I’d brought over my wet skin, realizing with a sigh that I would ruin the fine satin, but having little choice. Unless I traversed the woods with no clothing at all.

I sat in the sun on the largest boulder, my chin back and my hair drying in the climbing heat. I listened to the snowflakes melting, dripping from their haughty perches atop the trees. It was then that I realized I was no longer alone. And I would have thought it to be Vincent, except he preferred not to bother me when I was safely in solitude. And Rosemary was preoccupied with her garden.

<<I have come for the child>>.

I lowered my chin, the sun still warm on my face but my blood chilling. I angled myself on the boulder to see the pyre I had rescued standing in the slushed snow at my feet. He had acquired a shirt from somewhere—or someone. And he had bathed himself as well. Drinking the moonlight must have done him well, for his skin had moved from a chalky gray to the hue of morning sun bouncing off a snow bank.

I did not respond, of course. How could I? Why would I?

I was, however, curious as to what he wanted with the Sleeping pyre child.

<<He must be put to rest>>.

Oh is that all?

We could handle something like that. Vincent would manage the affairs and ensure that the child was properly cared for in death. Therefore, I could ignore this pyre’s demands. I climbed down from my rock and fetched my filthy dress.

He bristled as I turned to leave. Apparently he did not wish me to. But I did not care what this pyre wished. I had done my duty and freed him from his bondage. If he wanted to roam the woods of our estate, he was welcome to. He owed me nothing. And I certainly did not owe him.

<<Wait>>, he meant to me.

But I did not want to wait. So I walked off, half expecting him to follow me. He stayed where he was, though, which perturbed me more than him chasing after me. I swiveled back around and marched up to him. It was a good thing, too, for I realized the soles of my feet were frozen since I had forgotten my boots at the river’s edge.

I wondered what the pyre wanted. But, honestly, that was the reason I was so compelled to help him in the first place. What did he want?

His white eyes glimmered in their gold casings. <<Come to me>>.