She gagged, but there was nothing for her stomach to heave, though her tongue still prickled with the memory of fruit.
Wordlessly, the man placed his palm on her back between her shoulder blades. Gently, he stroked his thumb from side to side, like a father soothing his newborn babe and knelt beside her.
The stench of rot was stronger now and it was all she could do not to gag again. She sat back on her heels and shrugged his hand away.
"Why?" she asked.
He watched her, dark eyes sympathetic, but said not a word.
She snorted and wiped a tear from her cheek. "He never loved me."
"He loved you."
"Not as I loved him."
"No. Not as you loved him."
They were silent for a moment, watching the shadows cast by the setting sun stretch across the field.
Before her, a twig lay buried under the snow, its bark half stripped, exposing smooth white wood beneath. She reached to pick it up.
YOU ARE READING
Winter's Tree
Fantasy[Open Novella] - [Long Listed] In the middle of a snow encrusted field stands a tree. Ancient and formidable, its roots run deep below the surface, carrying secrets that could unravel the very fabric of reality. Follow Ayessa as she struggles to rem...
