RUNE WOKE FROM THE DEEP SLEEP SHE'D DRIFTED INTO

She wasn't sure how long she'd slept, but judging by the light streaming in, it wasn't particularly long.

Her mothers would be less than pleased with her lateness, but that was the last thing on Rune's mind at the moment.

He'd left her—But what stung slightly more was the burning curiosity that still mocked her. There were so many planets to see, new people to speak with, and yet Rune was confined to isolation.

Sitting up, Rune stared down at the kyber crystal in her hand before setting it down. She then stripped off her ceremonial dress, tossing it into a far off corner.

After rummaging around, Rune found something simple that she preferred more. She really was prolonging the inevitable.

Rune hiked all the way back to the fortress, easily slipping by the other witches. Ideally, going straight to her room would be the best.

But during her short walk, Rune had made up her mind.

"Ana-Rune, where have you been?" Mother Korils' voice wafted through the halls.

Might as well get the endeavor over with.

"I need to speak to both of you." Rune blurted before she lost her nerve. "It's important."

Koril and Rune walked to Aniseya's quarters, the thud of the door behind them made the situation suffocating—She should've been used to that.

"So who is it?" Aniseya asked gently.

"Who is what?" Rune's eyes darted back towards the door, suddenly regretting her decision.

"We're not stupid," Koril said. "Weeks prior, you were more than satisfied with stargazing from your room. Now you sneak off for hours on end."

Mother Koril's tone was both harsh and accusatory, as if Rune had committed a horrible crime.

"We understand your need for independence," Aniseya said, looking at Koril pointedly.

But her mothers had not the faintest clue how far the need had gone–Perhaps too far.

"It's that Zabraki girl that gave you those sweets for free, isn't it?" Mother Koril said.

Rune looked at Koril in confusion. Still, though, a trickle of relief gave way into her–She was just glad the stranger's presence hadn't made its way to the fortress.

"I love this coven, this planet. Please do not for a moment think otherwise," Rune began, taking a deep breath.

"But?" Mother Aniseya tilted her head.

"I'd like the opportunity to explore everything out there," Rune said. "You've given me the burden of responsibility without the option of choice."

"You wish to leave the coven?" Mother Koril broke the tense silence. "It was only hours ago that you pledged your allegiance to the sisters."

"I'm not revoking it, mother." Rune's voice was tinged with frustration. "I just want to explore."

"Explore?" Mother Koril scoffed.

Rune looked towards Aniseya hopefully–But the look of half disappointment was evident on her face.

"I suppose we can no longer delay the issue then, hm?" Aniseya said.

"Don't tell me you're actually entertaining her nonsense." Mother Koril squinted.

"It's not nonsense!" Rune insisted defensively. "I think I'm old enough to make my own decisions."

"That you are," Aniseya said. "I'm only surprised it took this long."

"Is this you agreeing?" Rune questioned with slight excitement.

Mother Aniseya looked away from her—The lack of responses was loud enough to turn Rune's eagerness into disappointment.

"Jedi are lurking everywhere!" Mother Koril exclaimed. "You would never be safe."

"You've never fail to remind me how sinister the Jedi are." Rune rolled her eyes. "But from what I've read, they stand for a noble cause. And I think I can handle a couple of Jedi."

"Nothing short of arrogance." Koril shook her head. "Aniseya?"

"You are our only child," Aniseya spoke finally. "This coven's sole hope."

She could at the very least be honest with herself; Rune didn't want to be hope.

"There are things the two of you keep from me." Rune pointed out.

"I have no father; There are no men in this coven. You have refused to tell me where I come from."

Koril and Aniseya exchanged looks. The secret they had so carefully kept to themselves would soon unravel if they let Rune continue on like this.

"Something is missing from inside me," Rune said. " And I intend to find what it is."

She would not be stopped nor persuaded, just like the thread. It would be pointless to continue on.

"If we let you do this, you need to promise us you'll be careful," Aniseya said finally. "I cannot lose you."

Rune softened, dropping onto her knees. She placed her hands atop her mother's lap earnestly.

"I swear," Rune promised. "If anything goes wrong, I'll come right back to both of you."

Aniseya offered a sorrowful half smile. "Then I must allow you to follow your own path."

Rune shot up at the approval. Mother Koril wouldn't spare her a glance, but Rune figured that she'd get over the decision eventually.

For now, at least, Rune could focus on where she'd escape to first.

                                      ——-

A/N: hey...hi! I hope you guys don't hate me but this section of the book has been stumping me so hard I've had the craziest writers block. But I haven't forgotten and will continue to push🫡