Page 42 of Glass Hearts

Max arrived back shortly after Petra’s departure. I honestly thought he wasn’t going to come back. He is the largest animal I have ever been able to successfully connected to. I lift the bag of remaining uncooked meat that I promised to bring along.

“I appreciate you helping me, but if you have other matters to attend to, you don’t have to follow or help me further. You have already helped so much.”

“Nonsense. The further south we go, the more lawless it becomes. And what’s the point of saving you if you end up getting murdered by someone else anyhow?”

I snort. “Fair point.”

“Judging by the purple under your eyes, you might as well hop on top of my back and get a bit of a rest while we head down. I know a shortcut through the forest.”

As gracefully as I can muster, I climb onto Max’s back. It is tricky to get used to the jerky motion of riding on a bear—a bear!—But once I get comfortable, sleep finds me instantly.

* * *

“Wake up, Mistress, we are at my family’s cave. It’s getting late, and we should probably stop.”

“Please, just call me Ella.”

“Very well, Ella, welcome to my home.”

A very large, regular-looking cave sits open as a large female bear stalks out with two cubs at her side.

“Sir Maxwell the Fifth, you wretched bear! Leaving me with these kids all day! And bringing a young human woman here? What are you thinking?”

“Gwendolyn, this is my new friend, Ella. I saved her, I was a right hero today, saved her life, I did! She can hear us, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Gwendolyn. Sorry for stealing Max for a bit,” I sheepishly add. If a bear could gasp, I feel like she would have.

“Dad’s a hero!” One of the little bears cheers as they both tackle their dad.

“Oh! Please be careful. The man he murdered for me stabbed him a bit.”

Gwendolyn roars at this. Right. Bears have big teeth. Let’s not bring up the stabbing.

“It’s okay, Gweny, she stitched me up good. It was just a scratch,” Max says as he continues to wrestle his children.

“Not to pry, but I thought bears don’t mate for life? I read that you all lead more promiscuous lives?”

“We do, normally. But my Gweny is special, and I don’t want any bears touching her. She is mine.” I smile and nod, loving how they don’t let their laws of nature define them.

We head into their cave, and it is dark as the sun sets. “I suppose you can’t see as well as we can. If I had known we had company coming, I would have tidied a bit.”

“No, this is perfect.”

I spot fireflies in the distance, and I ask kindly if they can provide me with a bit of light for a little while. My heart warms as I spot a large gathering of twinkling lights heading our way and enter the cave.

The little bears gasp in excitement as little fireflies fill the cave, shining like little stars on the rocky ceiling.

As the cubs fall asleep, Max fills Gwen in on all the events that happened when he became my brave, furry hero.

“Pfft. And humans call us beasts! I never liked that Randal man,” Gwen sums up at the end of his story.

“I can confirm that the humans are the beasts. Max filled me in on how hunting has been getting bad out here. Even though the Princes are no longer mine, maybe they would barter a deal for all the shit they put me through.”

Max gruffs and starts to sleep, before muttering, “Not woman talk again, she was my friend first. Sheesh.”

“Oh, shush you big goon.” Gwen turns her head to me. “What really happened before all this, dear?”

Through tears and laughs, I tell her the entire story of my brief love affair with the handsome princes who stole my heart. At one point, I lie down, leaning on Gwen, her large paw on my belly as if to comfort me.

Advice from mice, therapy from bears. This is my life, it seems.

“Are you sure they chose your stepsisters? Could they have fallen under your stepmother’s control? It seems like this evil woman holds a lot of power using the mage.”

Hope blooms in my chest. I squash it down immediately. The last time I held hope, it all went to shit.

“It could be possible. But could a spell make them say all that they said? Or how they didn’t even seem to care as I was hit repeatedly?”

“That I am unsure about. That’s why we are out here, away from all the magic. Now tell me, do you really think you are undeserving of love?”

I stare up at the ceiling of the cave, the fireflies still glowing, as if my answer is there.

“I am not sure. My best friend always says I am just subconsciously running away from love if it isn’t worthy of me.

And, even though it was said out of cruelty, I do wonder if Bernice’s words hold a bit of truth.

That I am not lovable or pretty enough. Look at how fast the princes turned on me. ” I sigh.

“Pfft, nonsense. Males are dense. Take my Max.” I hear Max gruff at that, apparently still listening.

“He wanted to travel to the Terra Isle. So the idiot dumped me and set about with his friend. They made it to the docks, realizing they needed a dang boat and wouldn’t be able to just swim.

I made that bear grovel for days on end when he realized what he gave up. ”

“And I was being a stupid bear. I could never imagine a life without my Gweny.”

“You are more than deserving of love, dear. Personally, I always think love is worth the risk—but that’s for you to decide. Do not let this harden your pure and kind heart.”

We fall into a natural silence as both Gwen and Max fall asleep. I can’t help but ponder all that has been done and said, including Gwen’s words of wisdom.

I close my eyes, feeling the subtle lulls of Max’s breathing and snores.

For the first time, even with my heartbreak, I feel freedom. An odd silver lining to my broken heart.

Never had I thought I could even go on an adventure like I am now. Sure, I had to ‘marry’ an awful man to get my freedom, but is it even a proper marriage if it was forced and there was no consummation? For my sanity, I am going to say no.

Although I am heartbroken and worried, excitement about what my future holds also starts to blossom.

My plans had never included a man, so why would it start now?

I really would have made a dreadful queen if the prince’s sweet words were true.

I would much rather be exploring, meeting new people and creatures, and helping those people in need.

Can’t do that when sitting pretty in a castle.

But my betraying heart still pains as I fall into dreamless sleep.

* * *

I awake the next day with a new lease on life and two large bear cubs sitting on me, squishing the shit out of me.

“Papa told me to wake you up!”

“Yup, that will do it,” I say as I try to catch my breath from all the weight.

“Boys, get off of Miss Ella.”

“But Mommm, she wants to play!”

“Sorry boys, now off you go.” She nuzzles her boys so they head towards the exit.

Stretching my sore muscles, I am surprised when I see a leaf with one of my granola bars on a little rock.

“I would offer you meat, but Maxwell says you are a vegetarian. I sort of went through your bag to find that. I just hate feeling unprepared. Anyhow, thank you for all that food.”

“Thank my ex-husband.” I laugh as I eat my granola bar.

Yesterday, I had ridden Max’s back the entire way here, so drained from the previous day’s events.

Today will be different. Not only because I don’t want to overextend my new friends’ kindness, but I also want to remember all the sights.

When I inevitably flee the mainland of Velora, I want to remember everything from my first home.

“Ahh, she is awake! How are you feeling this morning, Miss Ella?” Max asks as he stalks back into the cave.

“Much better,” I say as I put my boots back on. “You know, Max, you don’t have to escort me to the town. I-I would rather you stay here with your lovely family. I couldn’t risk getting you injured again.”

“Nonsense! I need a break from that beast!” Gwen says in a throaty bear laugh way. “Though please don’t go into the human parts, dear, you know how they can be.”

“Yes, yes, they will either kill me thinking I am of danger to them, or they will kill me to get my pelt. You say this all the time, Gweny.”

“I know, I know. I just need you around my big brute. If you come back round’ this way, Ella, I would love to see you again. Take care.”

She nuzzles into my hand. I opt for giving her a big hug, or I suppose, a big bear hug.

“Be safe, Gwen. Thank you for everything.” She nods her head as she and Max take a brief moment to nuzzle each other lovingly.

Max, the gentleman he is, carries my bag for me, tied onto his back since my back is still in a sorry state.

Then we start anew on our long trek.

Bear and woman.

* * *

Even though my feet are sore and my back still stings from all the movement, the journey is everything I wanted it to be. The lush green forest smells so fresh, with many creatures popping up to say hi. It’s teeming with life, and I can’t help but feel connected to it all.

The company is even better. We fall into a natural conversation, Max letting me know about tips on the forest, like where to find the perfect berries that won’t kill us, or how not to get lost. He is patient and understanding of my need to stop every once in a while.

Max offers to carry me again, but I don’t want to be a burden. He is a perfect gentleman.

“We should get to Quotina in a few hours. I probably shouldn’t get any closer, Miss Ella.

There is a cave just around the corner my buddy Scoot frequents.

So, I may stay there. Come find me if you get in trouble.

But after a few days, if you decide to stay, I may turn back.

I don’t enjoy being away from Gweny for too long, close to the humans.

What do you reckon you will do once you are there? ”

“Your guess is as good as mine,” I let out a long exhale.

“I know I need to get away from Eldor, that was always the plan. Maybe I will book a room at an inn and explore this new city. Then, decide what to do. I need to wait for my friend Lo, too. Hopefully, she got my letter. If she didn’t, I might need to go back to get her.

” My gut twists thinking of having to go back.

But I would do it for Lo. Plus, it would be nice to talk to Valak & Oliver.

Let them know The Shadow has moved on. Sadness fills me at missing my people at Harsekeep.

“If you decide to come back my way, please come visit us at the cave. I have enjoyed getting to know a human. Plus, I think my Gwendolyn really likes you.”

“Of course, Max. Thank you again for all your help.”

I lean down to give him a big bear hug and untie my pack. I wave goodbye to my friend as I start to hear the sound of city life in the distance.

Welcome to Quotina.