Chapter 3
I wake up shuddering and with chattering teeth in the middle of the night. I lie curled up in the Vasilieu’s pillow nest in front of the fireplace, but it wasn’t lit when I arrived yesterday. The smaller one in the cooking area was burning to keep the kettle warm, but most likely needs to be stoked now as the wind hollers and roars outside the little cottage. I don’t need to look out the window to know what I’ll see.
Snow.
I jump to my feet, grab a blanket, and wrap it around myself. A few quick steps lead me to the nearest window and I peer out.
The night is saturated with huge whirling snowflakes. I can’t see beyond a couple meters, and the entire forest is hidden behind a wall of snow.
“Oh, Anani,” I breathe and lean my forehead against the frigid glass.
I’ve never seen
