The Visit of Lilitu

It was a splendid spring day. Although there were chores to be done at home, Nadia longed to stroll under the sun and among the newly blossomed spring branches. Realizing her mother had awakened, she hurried to her wardrobe without waiting for a knock on the door, eager to sort through her clothes for the day's chores.

Her father, a merchant who valued their family's reputation despite being of modest means, insisted that his daughters dress in a manner be fitting their family. Therefore, Nadia's wardrobe was quite rich. Nevertheless, she chose a dress she used to adore but now found a bit short and snug, not worrying about it getting muddy. As she stood before the mirror, she examined the contours of her maturing body, her chestnut hair cascading almost to her hips, shimmering in the sunlight. Then she felt uneasy, realizing that despite her gradual maturation, she still couldn't understand why she hadn't found a suitable partner, and she distanced herself from the thought.

She draped a shawl over her shoulders, donned a large straw hat on her head, and put on her gloves. Just then, there was a knock at the door, and her little sister peeked in, giggling. "Don't be silly! You can't go out in that dress." They stuck their tongues out at each other, and Elsa exclaimed, "Wait, I'm coming too!" before rushing back to her room.

The two sisters descended the wooden stairs, their heel stapping against the steps. Their father, as he did every morning, was reading his newspaper at the table, while their mother had already risen and was assigning tasks to the servants for the day.

Approaching the breakfast table, they greeted, indeed, Mr. Windman, deeply engrossed in his paper, could only mumble a response without lifting his head. Seizing the opportunity, Nadia swiftly grabbed one of the freshly baked sesame-scented rolls from the oven and dashed outside, embracing the radiant embrace of the day.

Elsa quickly caught up with her, both girls laughing joyfully as they escaped the clutches of their mother. They immersed themselves in the flowers, trees, and the forest stretching out before them. After walking for a while, they swung on the swing their father had hung from a tree branch for them. Elsa was as romantic as Nadia was realistic. So when she asked Nadia if there was anyone she fancied or admired, Nadia sighed, admitting she hadn't found anyone yet, anticipating her mother bringing up the subject soon, which troubled her. Meanwhile, Elsa, eager to fall in love and get married as soon as possible, was overly enthusiastic. She had a whole list of criteria—eyes like this, lips like that, a slightly prominent nose. He must read a lot of books but also take her out for fun. She would get lost in her own fantasies while describing him, imagining her wedding while picking some yellow and purple wildflowers surrounding her.

After getting off the swing, they continued walking through the forest. When they came across a stream, Nadia stopped, removed her gloves, dipped her hands into the cool water, and picked up a perfectly round pebble. Holding it between her two fingers, she lifted it up to the sky. "Look, isn't it beautiful? So pristine! We could collect a few more stones and then toss them into the pool in the garden," she suggested.

Thus, the two sisters followed the stream, filling their dress pockets with stones as they went along. While walking, Elsa suggested, "Let's make up a song, but let the lyrics be our wishes." Excited by the idea, Nadia immediately began:

Two girls by the riverbank, skirts wet in the water,

With pockets filled with smooth round stones, they wander!

For before the sun rises, dreams shall alight,

In the gentle glow of morning's first light.

Elsa elongated her lips and exclaimed, "Ooh, so mysterious! I’ll keep going."

Simple wishes they did confide:

One for love, one for romance's tide,

The younger one, with dreams untied,

Pleaded, "Grant the man I've eyed."

Bending low, another stone she spied.

Though Nadia knew it was her turn, she hesitated to voice her true wish that she didn't want a partner, instead preferring freedom. But to keep the fun and magic of the moment alive, she quickly made up a wish to continue the song.

The elder's wish, power and grace,

Beauty's charm in love's embrace.

To win the heart she longs to chase,

In her hands, destiny's trace.

"Oh, goddess of the rivers! Grant my wish, and I shall give whatever is asked in return!"

Nadia exclaimed, sisters together bursting into laughter. Their pockets now heavy with pebbles, they were both amused. Linking her arm with her sister's, Elsa remarked, "We would have made excellent actresses or perhaps poets. Maybe then we would have been even more captivating!"

Suddenly, Nadia paused, beholding the lake and the trees before her. This hidden gem, resembling an oasis, was fed by a small waterfall flowing from its edge. Surrounded by speckled rocks bearing white spots, adorned with wildflowers peeking through, and adorned with willow trees dipping their branches into the water, this little island of untamed beauty seemed to be awaiting their arrival. "Look, Elsa, we've found the fairyking's palace!" she exclaimed.

As the two girls stood in awe of the sight before them, mouths agape, Elsa declared, "The weather's warm enough; I'm going to dip my legs into the water. Look how clear it is!" letting goof her sister's arm.

Nadia, seeing her sister dash into the water, laughing, first smiled at her antics. Then, a strange feeling crept over her, a fear that someone might be watching them, wishing trouble upon them. Unable to spot anyone, she shrugged off her unfounded apprehension, kicked off her shoes, and with a scream, plunged into the lake, surpassing Elsa and immersing herself up to her waist, arms outstretched towards the sky. Despite closing her eyes, she could feel the sharp rays of the sun almost piercing her head.

As a cool breeze swept by, she heard Elsa's distant voice calling her name. It sounded like a faint echo from a deep slumber, fading away after a while. The stones in her pockets seemed to grow heavier, her numb body being drawn deeper into the water—first her ears, then her nose, eyes, and hair... She watched as the light vanished, silently and distantly, like a quiet death.

Elsa, screaming, searched the water for her sister, crying out for help, but her calls went unanswered. Suddenly, a horseman appeared among the trees, rushing to her side to understand the situation. He, too, joined in the search and shouting, but to no avail. It was as if the lake had swallowed Nadia whole. Exhausted and chilled to the bone, Elsa gave up, sitting by the lake's edge. Looking at the young man who had come to help, still frantically searching in the water, she realized they were hopeless in their efforts to find any trace of her sister.

Finally realizing she needed to inform her father, Elsa, exhausted, approached the young man and asked him to escort her home on his horse.

The panicked household, amid Mrs. Windman's cries, rushed into the forest. However, when darkness fell, they returned home, deciding to postpone the search until morning. Mrs. Windman, inconsolable, mourned, "How could this happen? How did Nadia not hear her?" then, "Ah, you don't know how to swim, my daughter must have drowned!" while Mr. Windman, gathering his men around the large dining table, pointed out search areas on a map.

Meanwhile, Elsa struggled to speak, finding it hard to swallow and even breathe, her throat constricted by the knot of words. Though she wanted to believe it wasn't her fault, deep down, she knew the profound anguish she felt was the agony of guilt.

Throughout the night, nobody left the warmth of the roaring fireplace in the center of the room. Eventually, Elsa fell asleep curled up on the couch, while Mr. Windman continued to console his wife. Suddenly, they heard a knock at the door. Rushing to answer it, Mr. Windman screamed at the sight of Nadia, dripping wet and pale from the biting cold. Mrs. Windman wept tears of gratitude as she washed and dressed her daughter before tucking her into bed.

In the morning, they called the family doctor, but Nadia was perfectly fine. The doctor said she just needed some rest to recover her strength, and he found no injuries or marks on her. Over time, Nadia healed and regained her old strength. The traces of her trauma vanished quickly, yet each passing day brought new sensations, new dreams forming in her mind.

Mrs. Windman was extremely pleased with Nadia's recovery, remarking to her husband, "Look, our daughter is better than before. Her cheeks are rosy, she has regained her strength, she's even more beautiful!" Mr. Windman, smiling at these comments, was happy that everything was back to normal, with the sun shining in their gardens. Only Elsa sensed a change in her sister, attributing it not to her mother's magnificent care, but to the events they had experienced. She tried to mention it to her father once, but he became angry, accusing her of not being supportive enough and sending her away. However, deep down, he too felt that his daughter was not the same as before, that she had changed. Yet he postponed the matter, believing that his wife couldn't bear another crisis and hoping that Nadia would eventually overcome this trauma.

Meanwhile, Elsa began seeing the man she had met at the lake. He was indeed handsome, well-read, and took her to various entertainments, just as she had wished for in her dreams.

As time passed and Nadia recovered, the distance between the sisters grew. Nadia, often busy in the city during the day, either had new dresses made—expressing her desire for more mature attire—or spent time with her new friends at a restaurant or entertainment venue, returning home late at night.

Only one evening, when Elsa and Nadia were alone at home, Nadia confessed, "I've become a much more beautiful and stronger woman than I ever expected, Elsa. You've also found the man you wished for. I don't think it's a coincidence, and I intend to make the most of my luck." This statement from Nadia, who had never considered marriage before, seemed so surreal and dream like to Elsa that she could only smile in response.

As Nadia continued with a disturbing smile on her face, she took out a cigarette and a lighter from her bag. Seeing her sister smoke, which was unusual because Elsa knew Nadia didn't smoke, Elsa was filled with both nerves and astonishment. Before she could open her mouth to speak, Nadia said, "I really enjoy this, Elsa, just like the changes in your life. I'll find my own castle to conquer, just like you did." With that, she left the house.

Elsa, shortly after, decided she was ready to start a family and married the man of her dreams. Events unfolded so rapidly that she found herself standing in the middle of her room, once shared with her confidant, now two strangers. Approaching the tall window where she had dreamed for years, she gazed at the sleek black carriage that would take her to her new home. With tears and cheers of joy, she bid farewell as she boarded the carriage, casting one last glance at her childhood memories through the window. Meanwhile, Nadia watched the procession pass by expressionlessly, feeling detached from the crowd, her family, and even Elsa, with whom she had once shared everything. Holding her slim cigarette, clad in elbow-length lace gloves and a delicate tulle dress that accentuated her curves, she had transformed into a distant, alluring, and even dangerous figure, far removed from her former self.

Realizing she was alone for the first time after her sister's departure, Nadia searched for the small velvet box she had kept hidden in her closet for so long, a secret she had never shared with anyone. Excitedly, she sat on her bed and, under the dim light of her night lamp, opened the box to reveal the small pebble inside. Despite denying it until now, she knew that their lives had changed because of this pebble. That day, it wasn't just the flowing water, the forest, and the flowers that heard the sisters' wishes...

Suddenly, the pebble flew from her hand and rolled to the door, causing it to crack open. As the smoke cleared, a space filled with chunks of burning earth emerged, revealing a path covered in tar-colored rocks, illuminated only by scattered embers. Nadia sensed that this was a sign where she would find answers to everything they had experienced. Yet, resembling the gates of hell, she couldn't muster the courage to enter. Instead, fearing it might disappear, she waited. Soon, various sounds echoed from the cave-like hollow, signalling someone's arrival. Understanding that someone was approaching, Nadia took hold of the first solid object she found, assuming a defensive stance.

First, a slender, tall creature covered in a green mud-like substance appeared and stood at the threshold of the door. Its face resembled that of a human, but it had no nose or eyebrows. Instead of eyes, there were pitch-black voids, and its mouth was just a shapeless gaping hole filled with sharp teeth. As the creature waited, a stunningly beautiful woman in a magnificent red dress emerged behind it. Her hair was jet black, her eyes emerald green, and her blood-red lips were thin and sharp, giving her face the appearance of a relentless goddess. "Hello, Nadia," she said, stepping into the room with pointed heels. Closing the door behind her, she walked around the room with curiosity, smiling as she examined the makeup mirror adorned with neatly arranged lipsticks. Then she noticed a childhood photograph of the two sisters stuck to the edge of the mirror, picked it up, and sat on the stool in front of the table. It was then, for the first time, that she asked, "So much has changed, hasn't it, Nadia?" She cast a sharp glance from beneath her long, curly eyelashes as Nadia pondered whether this was a threat or a miracle, unsure of what to say. The woman continued, "But come now, there's no need to be so hesitant. We've known each other for quite some time, after all. We met at the palace of the Fairy Emperor." Setting the picture on the table, she stood up. "I don't have much time, soI hope you'll remember quickly. Let's face it, while you were out enjoying yourself, reveling in the pleasure of manipulating handsome and wealthy men, you didn't feel the need to look back." Nadia was taken aback by this statement, but the woman approached her with great affection and sincerity, smiling. "I'm not blaming you, don't get me wrong. Women chase different desires at every stage of their lives." Encouraged by this, Nadia found the courage to ask, "So, who are you?" The woman rubbed her hands together thoughtfully. "I am both the daughter of the Fairy Emperor, a wise woman, and an old crone. I am the essence of all women, the one who hears their wishes and guides you. Now, who do you want to be, Nadia?" The answer to this question burned like a fire within Nadia. The woman said that if Nadia wished to marry a prince, she could certainly make it happen, but she would demand a small payment in return. Although the demand seemed threatening, Nadia knew that some things couldn't be achieved without sacrifices. She agreed to the offer with confidence.

The woman instructed Nadia to meet her in the forest two nights later, warning that if she didn't arrive before sunrise, her wish wouldn't come true.

Meanwhile, Nadia's mother was busy organizing a gathering at home, considering it an opportunity to introduce her daughter to potential suitors on the morning of her meeting with the woman in the forest. The event would include various wealthy families' prospective grooms, and though no one showed it, Nadia's face seemed familiar to many. Besides their wealth and their desperate desire to see her as their wife, none of the men had any other qualities. Nadia didn't see any of them as her equal; they were all just silhoulette to her, destined to remain in her shadow.

However, as the night came to a satisfying end for everyone and Mrs. Windman drifted off to sleep peacefully after a warm bath, Nadia sneaked out to the stable and took a horse, setting off towards the forest. She arrived at the location the woman had mentioned just before dawn. This place reminded her of the pond she and Elsa had visited years ago; the moonlit pond was surrounded by rocks, with a small waterfall in the center, a river flowing by the edge, wildflowers, and tall fir tree sreaching out to the water. The surroundings were enveloped in the intense scent of flowers, giving this mysterious little island an aura that went beyond fascination, resembling the abode of the Fairy Emperor...

While Nadia stood frozen, gazing at the scene, she spotted the woman by the edge of the lake. Smiling, she approached Nadia with her white tulle dress wet at the hem. Locking her emerald green eyes with Nadia's, she said, "Are you ready?" Nadia nodded as if to say yes. "All you have to do is bathe in this pond, then you can return home," she added. Nadia looked at the woman with unease. "Don't worry, the water is warm and safe. And I brought a special soap just for you," she said, handing her a red crystal-like bar.

Nadia hesitantly undressed, her heart racing with memories of her last pond adventure, trying to muster up the courage to overcome her fear. She dipped her knees into the water first, encouraged by its warmth and shallowness. Under the moonlight's clarity, she could even see the stones at the bottom and her feet. When she turned around happily, she noticed that the woman had already left. As she began to apply the soap, resembling the red crystal, to her body, she felt a glow with each touch, even though she couldn't describe it, she felt younger. This magical stone was indeed a miracle!

While Nadia bathed in the lake, the forest was hosting a very important visitor. The king, wandering through the forest during the hunting season, saw Nadia shining like a fairy in the water as he passed by the lake. Mesmerized by the sight, he decided to watch her for a while instead of approaching. He summoned one of his aides to quietly observe Nadia without revealing themselves and report back to him. Then he quietly returned to his palace.

A week later, Mrs. Windman burst into her daughter's room with excitement, announcing a invitation from the palace and looking at Nadia. Nadia, equally surprised as her mother, realized from reading the small card that it was an invitation toa dance. So, this woman promises to wield the power to bring a king to his knees…

Of course, a special dress had been tailored and the most expensive jewelry had been bought for this important invitation. Mrs. Windman saw this ball as an investment, her eyes gleaming with possibilities in finding a noble spouse for her daughter, which intoxicated her.

The ball took place in the grand salon of the palace, adorned with white marble and gilded statues. The wealth, power, and abundance mesmerized Nadia to such an extent that she finally felt a sense of belonging, seeing that her superiority and desires had some equivalent. This palace would either be hers, or she would forever remain distant from this dream realm.

Accepting a few dance invitations, Nadia later embarked on a forbidden stroll as the night progressed and everyone became lost in drunken conversations. She slipped away from the marble hall and entered the library at the end of the vast corridor. She was greeted by towering shelves and perhaps thousands of books. Curtains drawn to protect the books from daylight, in the darkness, under the warm glow of lamps flickering at every step, the golden names on the leather-bound books sparkled. Although she had never been fond of books, just imagining that one day all of these would be her was enough to enchant her.

As she heard the sound of the door from the depths of the library, she startled and hastened her steps to return to the salon. But unexpectedly crashing into someone, she stopped to look. When she saw that it was the king himself, she was surprised at first but maintained her composure without revealing it, knowing that this was the right moment. Instead of a prince, why not a king who had become a widower at an early age? She knew that this man was just a simple creature living under the dominance of his desires. Internally, she wanted to provoke him so without bending too much she greeted him. Greeting him without excessive deference, she took a huge risk. But king was already enchanted with Nadia’s sight. First she met him and talked for a few minutes. This sandy-haired, burly man could actually be considered handsome. To be able to extract this special moment from Nadia was priceless for him! Unable to wait any longer, the king leaned in to kiss her. Knowing that his move could determine her fate, Nadia did not allow it, swiftly leaving the library to return to the ballroom, citing the protection of her honor.

When she returned home that night, for the first time, she began to consider what she would give in return if this wish were to come true. Perhaps bags of gold or precious stones... She currently had no money, but the intensity of her desires suppressed her worries. She patiently awaited news from the palace for a week. Her mother would inquire if she had met anyone at the ball, pressuring Nadia, warning her that if they did not receive returns on their investments in the coming days, they would face financial difficulties. However, two weeks later, another invitation arrived from the palace.

Bayan Windman, taken aback by the situation, found herself completely baffled and sank to the ground when she asked Nadia who she was meeting. She looked at the invitation letter in her hand, then at her daughter, unable to make sense of it all, sensing something fishy for the first time. After this point, everything unfolded at a lightning pace. Nadia found herself attending weekly gatherings, arriving at her doorstep in a royal carriage after each invitation. Her mother, instead of pondering how this miracle happened, began focusing on how to expand their wealth and on business deals with aristocratic families.

As weeks passed, Nadia managed to keep the king entertained, but she knew she could never tame a wild lion. Therefore, she never neglected to stroke his ego, telling him that they could only be together through marriage, promising to dedicate herself entirely to him once they were wed. The king, feeling powerless in the face of Nadia's beauty and charm, was driven to madness, but he couldn't bring himself to act dishonorably, struggling with his helplessness. Eventually, he had no choice but to agree to her demand. While the country celebrated his choice of a spouse from a non-aristocratic family, it was not well-received within the palace.

Despite all the obstacles and hardships, Nadia managed to marry the king. However, despite the wealth, and flawless plan, this marriage brought along different challenges. Yes, every room in the palace, the king's bed, and even the land of the country belonged to her, but she was lonely. She could feel the disliked by the palace staff at every step. Even though she knew the rules and customs of the palace, she often invite her mother or requesting visits from her sister Elsa, with whom she no longer had a close relationship. Finally, she decided that the only solution to endure this hardship was to have a child.

When she learned she was pregnant, the joy was met with jubilation within the country and behind the marble walls of the palace. However, after this development, the king stopped seeing her and she was confined to her room under the supervision of a doctor. Over time, Nadia sank deeper into despair and unhappiness as she awaited the birth.

The fog of intense and gloomy emotions somewhat lifted when her son was born. However, confined to her room during the postpartum period due to tradition, she felt herself nearing the limits of her sanity. One night, as she read by the fireplace—she had acquired the habit out of desperation, as there was nothing else to do in the palace—Nadia saw her at the door. The woman with unmatched beauty, whose allure and dangerous gaze gently commanded attention. As she entered the room, she first inspected the surroundings, gliding towards Nadia with the echo of her high-heeled shoes reverberating on the wooden floor. Spreading her red-painted nails and long fingers out to the sides, she remarked, "Well, well, Nadia. How did it happen that years have passed, and you've acquired everything a woman could desire in this world?" Nadia knew deep down that this visit would happen one day, but things were different now, of course. As a queen, she could offer her jewels or gold of any value.

After seated facing each other on the couch and chatting for a while, the woman finally turned to Nadia and said, "Now it's time for the gift I want and I want your son." Nadia was taken aback by this request and could only manage to say, "I don't understand what you mean?" The woman crossed her legs and smirked as she sat by the fire. "I told you I would ask for a gift, and you chose the king. You under estimated the likelihood of your wish coming true and my power, Nadia." Then she gave a threatening look from beneath her long lashes. "I've just come to tell you this. I'll get him anyway. If you want to make another deal, we can discuss it, of course," she said insidiously.

Losing her only son, painful as it was, or destroying the life she had built, or becoming a puppet of this dangerous woman... Fear left her feeling helpless, and Nadia had to submit once again. After the deal, the mysterious woman took the baby. All that remained was a grieving mother and a woman accused of witchcraft.

Although locked in her room with guards outside her door, Nadia didn't know where the king's sole heir had gone, and despite her suffering, she became a disruptive servant. Her family visits were forbidden, and then she brought to a trial, thrown into a dungeon with walls of decayed and foul-smelling stone on charges of witchcraft. Grief and sadness had turned Nadia into a mere shadow of herself. Luck may have been on her side until now, but she knew she had reached the end of the road. The court's final decision was the execution of the queen, and Nadia lost her last hope, collapsing into a corner of the cold stone dungeon.

A day before her execution, she heard familiar foot steps echoing between the stone walls. Then the sound of nails sliding along the iron bars, followed by the appearance of a silhouette across from her... Wearing nothing but a red leather coat and with her unique beauty, the woman smiled at Nadia from the other side of the bars. Unable to decide whether her expression was one of kindness or pleasure at witnessing Nadia's suffering, a few seconds passed before the woman spoke, "Nadiaaa, hello."

Nadia, her nerves shot and in a wretched state from hunger, sat in the darkness under the flickering light of a small torch when she recognized who the woman was, she lunged at the bars as if driven to madness. Ready to make one final attempt, if she had the strength, to kill the woman. Unfortunately, catching this supernatural being was out of the question, let alone touching her. "I've come to bid you farewell, Nadia. I think after all this time, we deserve that," she said, raising her hand to silence Nadia amidst her rapid breathing. "I think enough playtime is over. Let's get to the point. You said you wanted to be with your son no matter what, and in return, you were willing to give up your entire life. There are a few conditions to your wish, of course."

Nadia couldn't bear it anymore and began to cry, asking, "Who are you? What are you?" With this question, time seemed to stand still between the dark walls of the dungeon. The smile faded from the woman's face, and her eyes studied Nadia as if interrogating her. Though hesitant to respond, she finally said, "My name is the name of wind and water, Lilitu." As the sentence echoed on her lips, her voice seemed burdened, carrying the weight of ominous memories. Yet, she quickly shook it off and smiled again, looking into Nadia's eyes. "Now, let's get to our agreement."

Nadia fell silent, looking at Lilitu with fearful eyes. She knew that this woman, mentioned only in a few narratives, was said to be Adam's first wife. But after their separation following her betrayal, Nadia couldn't recall any mention of Lilitu in subsequent texts. Yet, she had long understood that the beautiful woman before her was actually a formidable entity to be feared. She remained silent, helpless. "Tomorrow, Nadia, you will be hanged on the gallows. But you chose for this not to be the end and opted to be with your son. He is now where I reside, a little deeper down," she said, pointing with her finger after pausing to collect her thoughts. Then, approaching the bars, where Nadia waited in fear, she lowered her voice. "So, you won't die. This is not the end for you." Though Nadia struggled in her mind to trust such a being, she couldn't shake from her mind the barren hill she would walk to at dawn, the place where crows awaited in the branches of a tall tree.

Not wanting to spend any more time in this wretched place, Lilitu said, "A visit is brief, Nadia. So, we will soon meet again," before turning and starting to walk away. As if remembering something, she turned back in the darkness, raising her finger. "When you wake up, don't leave, if you do, you won't see your son again," she said.

Nadia waited for the dawn without sleeping, praying and begging to reunite with her son. She didn't resist the soldiers who came to take her early in the morning. Her legs were too weak to carry her up the hill. At the top, she looked at the people, some angry, some bewildered, even some seemingly enjoying the anticipation of her end. Under the towering yet deathly, lonely and barren tree, they all awaited only her execution. As they slipped the rope around her neck, she thought only of her son's beautiful face. Perhaps this would be the day she would be free from all her pain.

As the darkness dispersed and her lungs painfully expanded, she felt her heart pounding in her chest again. Nadia woke up in the depths of the dark earth and managed to dig herself to the surface. The pitch-black sky was filled with stars, the branches of the tree leading her to death were bare, and the ground trampled by the crowd now felt warm and smelled of ashes. The path stretching out before her was made of perfectly round stones, just like the one in her pocket. She looked towards the valley on the other side of the hill, where smoke rose from above. It seemed like a great fire had left behind only a heap of ash and rust. It was almost impossible to say that the shattered stone pieces had once been a palace.

Turning back from the dark pit she emerged from, she then looked at the path ahead and around her. In the meantime, a man appeared beside her, half-human, half-goat, with furry legs and large hooves. "Welcome, Nadia. I'll take you to our queen; she's waiting for you," he spoke, then turned to follow the path.

Nadia's family, her life in the palace, and the desires and happiness left far behind crossed her mind. Now, she had to move forward, muster courage, and take a new step. In this new journey, there was only one precious thing left—her son.