Astraea’s New Crown

Astraea emerged through the mirror gate shrouded in pre-dawn mist, the weight of her footsteps crushing the remnants of frost beneath her boots. I was waiting in the courtyard, hands deep in my coat pockets, watching the horizon light with the first pale glow of a winter sun. When I saw her step through, the cold air sharpened. Her gaze met mine—a glint of pride and sorrow all at once—and I straightened, pushing aside the last traces of sleep.