On Fallen Wings by Jamie McHenry Page B

fun day, even in the cold.”
    Mother moved to another spot on the counter and deftly sliced several apples into a bowl. Nia followed behind her.
    “How is Sean?” asked Nia, mimicking my mother’s strokes with her own hand. “I see Cael at the house a lot, but he’s always working with my father. He never mentions his brother.”
    “Sean left this morning,” I answered, holding back my emotion. I had wasted the night with my sorrow and didn’t want to start the day with a somber fair of tears. “He wanted to leave before the weather changed.”
    Abigail gasped and pulled me closer in consolation.
    “That’s a good plan,” said Nia, without turning. Her eyes followed Mother’s hand with intensity. “My father says it will be a difficult season.”
    “I hope it isn’t terrible for him to travel,” I said. I stood, rubbed Abigail’s back gently, and then walked into the kitchen. “He’s going east over Taylor’s Ridge. That’s the direction I want to go today. I know a good place to look.”
    Mother stopped cutting.
    “It’s near your home, Nia,” I continued. “Eldon Bauer told me about a cave on the north slope of the mountain. He said that, inside, there’s ancient armor from the last war with Morgan.”
    “What about Morgan?” Father thundered through the back door as I finished my sentence. His cheeks and forehead were bright red, and his steaming breath twisted and spiraled into the air, only to yield to the cold above.
    Leila followed him. She was shivering with emphasis. Mother had assigned her my portion of the chores, and I was certain that she wasn’t happy about it. She thanked me with a glare before slamming the back door.
    “Nothing, Father,” I said, grinning. “There’s no problem with Morgan.”
    Mother saved me by greeting him with a soft hug and a peck on the cheek above his beard. “Rhiannon was telling us where she plans to search for armor,” she said. “Near the mountains.”
    Father rubbed his thick hands and ambled to the end of the table. He pulled out his chair and sat while Mother rushed back into the kitchen, emerging a moment later with a steaming goblet for Father.
    “Drink something,” she ordered my father. “Ladies, would you like some warm apple cider?”
    “Yes!” Abigail and Leila answered in unison.
    While we enjoyed the steaming juice—apple cider can never be too hot—I told my friends about Sean’s visit the day prior. Leila and Mother joined us, and Father shared the story about Cael getting tangled in Avalon’s reins. While we sat in the dining room, laughing and drinking, Ethan stomped into the room. He glared and pointed, as if to protest the weather, or the fact that he had been working in it, but stopped once he noticed Father.
    “It’s cold,” he grumbled instead, wiggling his fingers. “Rhiannon, next time you go to a council, ask the Fae to cancel Moon Season. I like it when it’s warm.”
    His comment and his bright red face brought an eruption of laughter from all of us, which lasted until we finished drinking.
    “Thank you for the cider, Keelia.” Nia handed her empty goblet to my mother. “And thank you for letting me to watch you cook.”
    “You’re always welcome, dear,” said Mother, as she hugged Nia tight. “If Owen didn’t need you around, you could stay with us for the season. I could mold you into the best cook on your side of the horse meadow.”
    “Thank you,” said Nia. She turned to me. “We should leave soon. I’m afraid the cold is here to stay.”
    “Right.” I rubbed my hands together, excused myself, and rushed up to my bedroom. I put on my warmest clothes and then added a second pair of wool leggings, for extra comfort. I wrapped myself tight while returning back down the steps.
    My brother sat with Abigail, covered in the blanket near the fireplace. His face wasn’t as bright as before, and he looked comfortable.
    I grinned and turned to Father, who was enjoying a smoke from his favorite long