Chapter 2: A Quiet Morning

It had been two weeks since the birth of the young princess.

Under strict orders from her physicians, and Jaziel, Jamila was confined to her chambers until she had fully recovered. Forced to attend to matters of state from the comfort of her bed. Snow still drifted steadily beyond the rounded window, and the work before her felt endless… but now, she had Shani as her constant companion.

Jamila tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, biting her lip as she scanned the documents spread across her lap.

A soft coo pulled her attention away. Her gaze flicked to the intricate golden crib beside her bed, where Shani stirred.

Jamila let out a quiet groan and leaned down, carefully lifting her daughter into her arms. As the child latched, she settled back against the pillows, propping the documents higher in her lap and attempting to continue her work despite the heaviness in her limbs.

For a moment, there was peace.

Then… tap. Tap. Tap.

Jamila startled, turning toward the window. A pale hawk perched on the ledge, its feathers catching the light with a subtle, iridescent sheen as it tapped impatiently at the glass. A smile softened her features.

She set her papers aside, gently placing Shani back into the crib. The child let out a few soft, protesting whines as Jamila crossed the room. The moment the window opened, the bird slipped inside, circling once before settling on the wooden desk.

Jamila moved toward it, carefully removing the note tied to its ankle.

Her lips curved as she read.

‘ᚨᚱᛖ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚱᛖᚲᛟᚡᛖᚱᛁᚾᚷ ᚹᛖᛚᛚ? ᚺᛟᚹ’ᛋ ᛋᚺᚨᚾᛁ?’

Two simple questions. Was she recovering well? And how was Shani?

But she could feel everything he hadn’t written.

Jamila pressed a soft kiss to the parchment before setting it down and reaching for her quill.

‘ᛁ ᚨᛗ ᚠᛁᚾᛖ. ᛋᚺᚨᚾᛁ ᛁᛋ ᛈᛖᚱᚠᛖᚲᛏ…’

I am fine. Shani is perfect…

She paused, tapping the quill lightly against her lip. Then something struck her.

A few days prior, Jamila had trimmed a small portion of Shani’s hair. Jamila moved to a small drawer and retrieved the soft bundle, tying it carefully with ribbon. After a moment’s hesitation, she lifted the scissors again and cut a small portion of her own hair, binding it the same way.

She attached both bundles to the note.

“Please deliver this safely to Shin, Skye,” she murmured, gently stroking the bird’s head.

The hawk took flight the moment the window opened. Jamila lingered there, watching as it disappeared into the pale sky until it was as if it had never been there at all.

For a long moment, Jamila continued staring at the sky. The room felt quieter without him. 

Seasons turned.
Snow gave way to spring, then summer, then winter once more. Again and again the seasons came and went. With each passing season, Shani seemed to grow a little more.

Before long... seven years had passed.

Sunlight poured through the window, washing the room in warm hues of gold and red. Jamila groaned softly, pulling the blankets over her face in a futile attempt to steal a few more moments of rest. Nearby, Nimue moved quietly through the room, already preparing for the day.

“Mama…”

Small hands tugged at her.

“Mama! The sun is up!”

When that failed, the tugging turned into bouncing.

Jamila huffed a quiet laugh, lowering the blankets just enough to peer at her daughter.

Shani stood before her, alive with energy. Her warm brown skin glowed in the morning light. Platinum-blush curls sprang wild in every direction, and her purple eyes shone with excitement.

Jamila couldn’t help but smile.

“Good morning… my little dawn.”

Shani beamed.

Jamila pushed herself upright, stretching before leaning forward to press a kiss to her daughter’s forehead. Her fingers lingered, gently tracing the pointed tips of Shani’s ears… a ritual as familiar as breathing.

Her gaze drifted briefly to the window, to the red leaves, to the distant sounds of the waking city. Then, reluctantly, to the crystal bangle resting on the bedside table.

Shani noticed immediately.

“I hate that thing…” she muttered.

Jamila’s smile faltered, but only for a moment.

“It’s for your safety, love,” she said softly.

From across the room, Nimue spoke, her voice quiet and measured.

“It is necessary.”

Jamila didn’t look at her.

Shani didn’t argue. She never did.

She simply held out her arm.

Jamila slipped the bangle into place.

The change was immediate. Shani’s skin paled, her ears rounded, her glow dimming.

Nimue’s gaze lingered on the transformation, sharp and assessing, before smoothing once more into neutrality.

Jamila swallowed. Then pulled her daughter close. Without warning, she attacked, fingers finding every ticklish spot she could.

Shani shrieked with laughter, squirming and kicking as she tried to escape.

“Stop—Mama—stop!”

Jamila laughed, finally relenting and pulling Shani back in. She cupped Shani’s face, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead.

“You are perfect… morning and afternoon… every part of you is perfect.”

Shani smiled, wrapping her arms around her mother’s neck.

A knock sounded at the door.

At Jamila's nod, Nimue stepped forward, fresh clothes draped neatly over her arm, a towel folded with precision.

She paused a few steps away, her gaze flicking briefly between them, taking in the laughter, the closeness, before smoothing into composure.

“Well,” Jamila sighed, brushing a curl from Shani’s face, “we should get ready for the day.”

Her fingers brushed once more along the hidden points of Shani’s ears.

Nimue stepped aside to let them pass, her presence quiet but constant as she followed behind.

The crystal caught the morning light as they stepped into the hallway.