Dear K,

I wish I could tell you about the latest book I am reading, but I haven't finished it yet. I haven't read in days. I wish I could tell you it was because of something new and exciting happening in my life.

I wish I could tell you all is well.

But I've been lying to everyone for so long, I lack the energy to lie to you as well.

All is not well.

My father seemed interested in your irrigation systems idea, but chose to ignore this much more practical idea for his rain makers. He is so certain they will work, he does nothing else. I am left to tend to the household and that combined with my work at the inn has taken its toll on me.

Worse yet, a fox killed two of our chickens and I'm not entirely convinced we will get through this winter. There is a shortage of food in the entire village and I'm so scared no one will want to help us.

I feel so angry and helpless and there is no one I can tell, no one I can scream to. Or at.

I wish I could speak to you of dragons and special boys, of mermaids and pirates and love. Of beautiful swans and merciful hunters.

Forgive me, but I can only speak of misery.

Yours,
Kat

Kat,

Where is all this coming from? Why didn't you ever mention before that things are this bad? I don't even know what to say to that.

I know you love your father, but the man needs to get a grip. He can't just leave you with nothing. You're his daughter. His charge. Until you are married, he is lawfully responsible for your well being! Whether you actually need it or not!

Don't you have anyone, a friend, a neighbor, who could talk to him, make him see sense? Help you find food. He can't just leave you like this.

I'm sorry about the fox. I'm sorry about the chickens. I'm sorry that winter is coming and you are cold. I'm sorry I can't do more than listen and encourage you.

I wish I could do more. I wish I could be there.

Don't leave me in the dark. Don't pretend to be alright. You can be honest with me.

And even if I can't fix anything, I'm always here.

Yours,

K.

He was always there. Yes, he was. But why couldn't he be here, with her?

Why did he never ask her name or where she was?

Yes, they were both breaking the law, and it was punishable by death. But they had been writing to each other for months. She trusted that he would never turn her in, never hurt her.

Couldn't he trust her as well?

Her heart clenched and it hurt to breathe. It wasn't the first time, but her need to see him had never been this powerful. Because words were no longer enough.

For the first time in her life, she needed him to hold her and make the bad things go away.

This is all you're getting for today😊

So. Thoughts? Feelings? Why does he never ask? Why does she care about it so much?

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