125 – The Heat

Kneeling, Velvet cleared a tombstone from the snow, then looked at the name engraved on it.

'ADRIAN RUSSEL'S LAST PLACE TO REST.'

"I didn't expect our meeting with him four months ago to be our last." Candice, standing next to Velvet, muttered. "And he didn't tell us that he was seriously ill that time."

Velvet wiped away her tears, then looked at her friend. "Go on. You want to blame me for being too busy to come to his grave?"

The mage averted his gaze. "Even I wouldn't be that cruel, Vel. And after all, you do what you do to help people."

"No, I am indeed a bad friend." The prophet got up while adjusting her scarf. "I wasn't by his side when he needed it."

The two women fell silent, continuing to stare at the tombstone. All that was heard was the sound of the winter wind moving the branches of the trees.

"You love him, right?" Candice asked through trembling lips.

The prophet closed her eyes. She only answered moments later. "Yes, very."