章 33: Chapter 33: Belvah

I went with her to her room, not knowing what else to do. Ethpeal didn't react openly as she packed her bags with calm and that enduring confidence I loved about her. I sat on the bed, soft whines escaping under my breath, tail swishing back and forth as I struggled for something to say.

"Sass," Ethpeal turned to me at last, after her long silence, sighing deeply as she sank to the bed to stroke my fur. "It's all right Sass."

"It's not." I hung my head, weeping. "I failed again, Thad," I whispered to the ghost of the girl I'd loved. "I'm so sorry."

Ethpeal gathered me into her arms and held me close, humming softly, a tune I knew so very well, comforting me where I couldn't do the same for her as Thaddea reached through time and space to love me once again. "Dear Sassafras," Ethpeal said, "you've done more than any cat, any witch, could ever have done for this family." She sighed again. "And look how we've rewarded your loyalty and faithfulness."