As the horizon lightened with approaching dawn Serapha landed in front of the low hill of her home. She stood there for a long time. Then, taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and opened the door.

Her mother was sitting in the front room, practicing her clarinet. When she looked up and saw Serapha in the doorway she dropped the instrument, heedless of the clatter as it fell to the ground, and ran to her daughter.

“Oh Serapha, you’re all right!” she said as she hugged her tightly. Any lingering fears dissolved as Serapha returned the warm embrace.

After a while Serapha disengaged herself. “Mom, all the warm air is getting out. We should at least shut the door.”

Flame Song laughed and stepped inside, shutting the door behind them. “What’s all the commotion?” asked her father as she stepped into the room. Then he spotted her and she was engulfed in a second hug. Pretty soon the whole family was there, and all three of her brothers had to give her a hug as well.

“We were worried about you,” said Alan as he stepped back. “I didn’t think that Captain Young was up to any good.”

“You were right,” said Serapha.

“Enough said then,” said Alan. “We’re just glad you’re home safe.” And he reached out and ruffled her hair.

“Hey!” she said. “You big lump. Leave my head alone.”

“But from up here that’s all I can see, shorty,” he said with a grin.

Serapha laughed. She was home again, and everything was all right.

There was still one more thing to be dealt with, however. Serapha wasn’t exactly looking forward to it, but it had to be done. She needed to apologize to Michael. Several weeks later, with Alan by her side for moral support, she returned to Snowcap. They landed on the street in front of the nameless little inn owned by Michael’s family.

Serapha took a deep breath and went inside. Mr. Alderman, Michael’s father was at his usual spot at the front desk. “Here for the day?” he asked briskly.

Serapha shook her head. “No sir. I came to speak with Michael. Is he here?”

The middle-aged innkeeper gave Serapha a long look. She wilted a little bit under the stare. At last he said, “Yes, he’s in the storeroom.” Serapha nodded and headed back through the inn. She could hear Michael humming to himself as she approached the door. She knocked softly and the humming stopped. Michael opened the door and gave a little start to see her standing there. “Serapha?”

She hesitated, not sure what to say, then said, “Michael, I’ve come to apologize to you. I’m afraid I’ve been something of an idiot.”

“No you haven’t,” was his instant reply. “I… I don’t have any claim on you after all.” There was a faint trace of bitterness in the young man’s reply.

“Maybe not, but I still shouldn’t have just abandoned you like that. And for somebody like that…” she stopped, aware that her voice was rising. “Sorry, a total jerk like that Captain Young. I know I can’t expect anything, but I had hoped that you might at least want to be friends.”

Michael looked at her, his warm brown eyes unreadable. Then he tentatively smiled. “Look, I’ve been just as much of a fool as you. I shouldn’t have let you go without a fight.” His smile widened. “Of course I want you for a friend, and for something more if that’s what you want.”

Then he put his arms around her and hugged her close. She rested her head on his shoulder and hugged him back, cupping her wings around him in a warm embrace. Somewhat to her surprise she found a tear trickling down her cheek. When Michael at last broke off their embrace he brushed it away gently. “Serapha, don’t cry. I don’t like to see you cry.”

She sniffed. “It’s okay. I’m just glad I haven’t ruined everything. I care about you a lot you know.”

“I care about you too,” said Michael.