The enormous wings behind her remained half-folded. Thousands upon thousands of feathers layered over one another with breathtaking precision, every edge so finely sculpted that Mirabelle almost expected a breeze to ruffle them.
Her antlers spread wide above her head like the branches of an ancient world tree. From them hung impossibly delicate strands resembling spider silk.
No...
Not silk.
Gold.
Hair-thin golden filaments connected one branch to another, catching the sunlight until they shimmered like countless threads of liquid dawn.
Tiny sapphire and moonstone droplets had been set into them. They resembled morning dew suspended forever between the antlers.
Perched atop her head were two elegant fox ears, standing proudly upright in quiet vigilance. Three delicate golden rings pierced the outer edge of each ear, catching the light whenever it shifted across the sanctuary.
