He bathed for a long time, breathing, trying not to think. At one point, a blue fox passed through the trees nearby, its paws perched atop the snow, glinting curious gold eyes his way. They lived in the forests around here, apparently, or so Saiet said. They stayed close to human establishments because humans liked them, fed them, let them inside, sometimes spoiled them shamelessly, and occasionally one bonded to someone.

Giddon heard a rustle behind him, much too heavy for a fox. Glancing around, he observed Saiet making his way along the path.

“That was quick, wasn’t it?” said Giddon, for Saiet had gone out to check on a pregnant pig and Giddon had understood it to be a fair walk away.

“I ran into some friends on the road,” he said. “I think you should put your clothes on, son, and come into the house.”

Finally, someone who could help them with their plan. “I’m coming,” said Giddon, pushing himself up, drying and dressing quickly, for the cold air was a special kind of torture after the bliss of the hot pool. He stepped into his boots and clumped down the path, not bothering to fasten them, rubbing water out of his hair and his beard with his towel. He got to the house and opened the door.

And there she was. His Bitterblue, his queen. Standing right there, looking right back at him. Giddon’s eyes blurred. He fell to his knees and began to cry. Bitterblue wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He held her, sobbing into her stomach, loving the silbercows, loving their stories. She was real. She was solid. She smelled like soap and she was stroking his hair and her voice was saying soft, comforting words. His vision was turning to stars. He couldn’t breathe. He heard her giggling and felt himself falling. Then everything went black.

—

When he came to, he was lying on the floor with his head in Bitterblue’s lap.

“I hope you know you’re never going to hear the end of this,” Bitterblue said.

“Yes, please,” said Giddon, who wanted to be teased about this every day for the rest of his life. She was still stroking his hair.

Nev’s family was bustling around them, preparing a meal. Hava, her pale face luminous and streaked with tears, was helping them. Saiet was setting out again for the pregnant pig. Giddon knew it was a small room, and he as a big, tall person was taking up much of the floor, but he didn’t want to relinquish his position. He was afraid that if he stood and she stopped touching him, it would turn into a dream.

“What happened to you?” he said weakly.

“Silbercows rescued me,” she said. “And then I’m afraid the Cavendas scooped me out of the sea.”

“What?” cried Giddon, turning to look into her face.

“They kept me in their attic,” she said.