That was not at all what she expected. Puzzled, Valeska tried to run a few plausible scenarios through her mind as to how Wardruna was able to persuade her daughter into becoming a resident of Northfall - and fell short.

In much the same way Dimitri had left the nest, for Sreda also it seemed the time had come.

She wasn't quite sure when it happened, but even more surprising, at some point along the grand journey of motherhood Valeska had very quietly learned to let go.

At least to a degree.

She had left her own homeland as little more than a yearling and forged the path that led her to a future she now wouldn't have changed for anything. Every step from the place she had loved as a child had taken her further into the light, and perhaps - although the thought still filled her with pain - this would be Sreda's light, too.

Valeska looked at her daughter and thought, that was a poor choice of word. Sreda despised the light. Valeska shuffled the sentence back around in her mind, and instead thought, this would be Sreda's ultimate plunge into the infinite darkness she so dearly coveted.

Despite the dark-furred girl's promise that it wouldn't last, her mother smiled gently.

It is alright. I have accepted that I cannot hold onto you forever, she said softly. Моя маленькая тень. (My little shadow.)

Valeska frowned.

But you cannot leave without us first sharing an embrace.

She paused.

Also, you must promise to visit.