Noah stirred under the covers and yawned. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he savored for a moment the peace and calm that enveloped him. The golden rays of the late afternoon caressed him with their gentle touch and gilded the silver strands of Shana’s hair as she slumbered in his arms.

After crying and pouring their hearts out, the two had fallen prey to long overdue physical and emotional exhaustion. Noah could hardly remember the last time he had fallen asleep cradling Shana in his arms. Had it been… three years ago when she caught the mumps? At that time, he had spent every night with her, terrified that she might not recover. She had eventually gotten better and he had been buried with the plans for his engagement to Marzbane Ilmaz, the constantly brewing unrest in Norden, and the preparations for the southern campaign. At some point, he had convinced himself that Shana was too old to hold her father’s hand while falling asleep, that she needed to start acting like an independent adult, that in a few years, she would fly away to someone else’s household… Idiot! She hadn’t even reached her tenth year! In reality, he had neglected her, covering his blunder with weak excuses.

Looking at the sleeping girl, Noah’s eyes stung. Very gently, as not to wake her up, he leaned closer and kissed the child’s forehead.

‘Be honest.’ A little voice tugged at his heartstrings. ‘Even when she becomes a wrinkled granny, she’ll always be your little girl.’

Relishing this blissful epiphany, Noah almost missed the weak moan of swinging hinges as the door to the bedroom quietly opened. He stiffened, instinctively wrapping his arms tighter around Shana as his ears followed the intruder’s footsteps, cushioned by the soft carpet. It took his still sleepy mind a second too long to recognize the unexpected visitor. His body relaxed and he opened his mouth when a weak, slightly slurring voice beat him to it.

“Gwanma?”

Between the long white lashes, Shana’s deep-blue eyes sparkled like two sapphires. Noah’s sudden jerk had awoken her and she stretched like a little kitten, snuggling against her father’s shoulder before the last remnants of drowsiness flew away.

“Grandma!” She jumped up, throwing confused glances between the tearful Marzbanati and Noah. “Papa? You… It wasn’t a dream?”

“Of course not, Starlet.” Noah sat up and ruffled her hair.

“Ah, kalemge-shekri! My sweethearts!” Neli rushed to the bed, throwing aside her usually dignified and cold demeanor, and began showering the two with hugs, kisses, and even more tears. “My precious children! My babies! You are fine now! Jin-ah il’lam! Praise the King of the Djinn!”

“We are alright, mother,” replied Noah, unable and unwilling to hide his smile. “All will be fine from now on.”

He hugged Shana and kissed her cheeks before leaving her in Neli’s hands. Seeing him go, the child grabbed his shirt.

“Papa?”

“I must leave for a bit.” Noah smiled and held her hand. “I’ll come back soon and we will talk again. Will you manage without me? I promise, Starlet, I-”

“You need to discuss my prophecy with Uncle Will and Tikotse.” Her words surprised him, and even more - her calm and mature tone. She let go of his shirt and blushed. “I know. You have important things to do, papa. I’m fine. I’m no longer a child.”

Fidgeting for a moment, her confidant mask slightly cracked and she avoided his gaze..

“But… can grandma perhaps…?”

“Neli will stay with you.” Noah chuckled. “Looking at her, she wouldn’t leave you even if I gave the order.”

“So it is.” The old Marzbanati lifted her chin. “You can leave our little bird in my care.”

With a nod and a final hug, Noah left the two and stepped into the anteroom. The person he hopped to find was indeed waiting there in a cloud of smoke.

“Congratulations, little wolf.” Kash-baba waved her pipe at him. “The child will recover.”

“We were lucky this time. But in the future…” All the happiness drained from Noah’s face.

“Say no more. The prophecy is bothering you.”

“I need your help. Will you come with me? We need to get to the bottom of this mess.”

“And what about the Moren-gadir’s protection?” The old shaman pointed at the white door with the mouthpiece of her pipe.

“Ildemar’s defenses might be weakened but are still holding. I have placed some talismans that Gregor made throughout the room, so no malicious ghost should be able to sneak past this time. And with Neli there, no mortal can do her harm.”

“Then lead the way.”

Noah nodded and called a servant. After whispering in his ear and sending him away, he offered his hand to the old Binshi and led her through the maze of Ildemar’s corridors.

Not long after, the two arrived at a familiar door. After a brief knock, Milly appeared at the threshold, blinking surprised at the esteemed guests.

“Is your lady in the condition to receive visitors?” asked Noah politely, his eyes peeking over the maid’s shoulder, eagerly seeking someone on the other side of the door.

“Y-yes, Your Highness. Kush-turgan. I’ll inform her of your arrival. Please, come in and take a seat. Do you need refreshments? Something to eat?”

“Just call the Duchess, Milly.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t mind a cup of birch juice, child,” smirked Kash-baba and quickly lowered herself in a cushioned chair.

Fretting around, the young maid scurried away to return in a short moment followed by the still pale-looking Lorelei. Seeing his wife’s face, a bit of guilt pierced Noah’s heart. He should have left her to rest some more. There was a chance that the revelation of the prophecy would worsen her condition. And yet, this time, he was determined to share everything with her. It concerned her more than anyone else. Besides, hiding the truth had proven to be a disastrous decision lately and he didn’t want to risk the fragile peace that had been established.

Standing up, Noah gallantly took Lorelei’s hand and kissed it before leading her to her chair.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” Lorelei nodded at him and greeted the old Binshi with a warm smile.

“First, my lady, I owe you an apology for leaving you alone with Saya and Soraishu.”

“I was hardly alone.” She chuckled. “And besides, the Duke of Norden surely has more important tasks than to console crying children and their relatives. But I accept your apology anyway.”

“Thank you. I… Shana has awoken.”

Looking carefully at Lorelei’s face, Noah didn’t miss the minuscule twitch and the shadow of fear that darkened its features. Although it hurt, he could understand her. Shana had tried to harm Lorelei one too many times, and these weren’t the pranks of a child against her stepmother. He had no hope that Lorelei could forgive Shana, but maybe… she could somewhat understand?

“I have come here because of the prophecy she made.” His tone was somber.

“She has finally awakened completely?”

“Actually, it appears that she had fully awakened over a month ago.”

Lorelei just stared at him blankly.

“It happened a day after we encountered the dhrowghost.”

“And what does it have to do with me?” Her voice shook and she visibly shivered.

Before Noah could reply, someone knocked on the door again. Milly hurried up and let Duncan and William in. After inviting the two men to the table and pouring them some birch juice, the maid was quickly sent away.

“Why have you summoned us here?” William stared at his lord and asked without any delay. His rudeness earned him a reprimanding glance not only from Noah but also from Duncan who was about to take a sip from his cup.

“Because Lady Lorelei is in no condition to cross half the castle for your convenience, Will. And the matter we will be discussing also concerns her.”

“Which is?”

“Shana’s prophecy.”

A coughing sound from Duncan’s side indicated his near-drowning in birch juice.

“The little one is awake! Thank the Fathers! But… By prophecy, you mean…?”

“Exactly that prophecy.” Noah furrowed his brows and his gaze circled around the table. All the faces were pale and somber and he could read his own uneasiness on them. And he was about to fan their worries even more.

“What Shana saw… It had to do with me and Lorelei, and the fate of Norden.”