Sigurd closed his eyes as he tried to remember clearly what he had just seen. The Runa in his visions had told him everything he needed to know, had she not? He wondered if he should accept what the visions had told him so readily, yet he felt it in his core that what the visions had told him was real. 

“Are you alright there?” Runa placed her hand on his shoulder. 

He glanced back at her, that radiant face that always offered him a smile, “I’m not sure. This vision has given me a lot to figure out. I- I will tell you, but I need to wrap my head around it first,” he remarked with a sigh.

“Hey, it’s fine, but maybe, just maybe, I could help you wrap your head around it? Over a cup of tea?” Runa suggested, “It’s chilly out here anyway.” 

Sigurd stared down at the lake below them, the valley was narrow with mountains on either side. The winds could really bite in these parts. He didn’t mind, but he knew Runa would leave in a heartbeat if not for her mother. 

“Yeah, alright. I think you’re right. I could use an extra brain for this one,” Sigurd remarked and turned around, “And your brain is probably the best one around here.” 

“You’re such a charmer, Sigurd… You really know how to compliment a lady,” Runa chuckled as they wandered back inside her office. 

“I’m sorry. About just now. My visions always come at the strangest times, don’t they? We were supposed to talk about the wedding, right?” Sigurd grabbed her hand and pulled her close. 

Her smile grew wider as she locked eyes with him, “Yes, but it’s fine. It can wait.” 

“I’m lucky that you’re so understanding and even luckier to get married to you,” Sigurd muttered before he pulled her even closer, hunching slightly for his lips to reach her lips.

His hands slid down to her waist, her lips greeted his as they met in a kiss. She grabbed his hair and pushed him against her desk. He wrapped around her as she melted into him, their kiss deepened before she abruptly pulled away. 

“I’ll heat up some water,” she said softly as she walked towards the kitchen. 

Sigurd watched her go, wanting more, “Y-yeah. I’ll get the cups.” 

He breathed out as he reached into the kitchen cabinet, he had to tell her about his vision now, didn’t he? He wasn’t sure how she would take it. He had never had a vision with her in it before. His visions were usually less wordy. He placed the cups on the counter and carefully searched for the tea bags. 

“Green Tea, right?” He asked her, eyes gazing at her lips. 

She nodded and turned on the electric kettle, stopping for a moment. A dreadful chill came over her, she felt frozen to the bone. She glanced at the window, snow had softly started falling outside. She longed for that warm cup of tea now, and to wrap herself up in a blanket next to Sigurd. 

He placed the tea bags into the cups, “Are you doing okay? You look a bit pale,” he told her with a concerned expression.

“I’m fine. Feeling a bit cold that’s all. The weather is turning so abruptly,” Runa smiled and poured the hot water into the cups. 

Sigurd loved to watch her smile, this was probably one of the main reasons why he had asked her to marry him. He wanted to watch her smile every day. She had been his neighbor since they were children, they used to spend every day together exploring the old abandoned houses on his family’s large property. She was always braver, the dark frightened him easily. 

They sat down on either side of her desk, letting the tea cool down as they gazed at each other, “Your vision, Sigurd. You should tell me about it,” Runa said softly and leaned forward. 

“You were there. Just like this. We were talking about the black plague, about the curse on this village,” Sigurd started telling her. He hesitated before continuing to tell her the rest. 

Runa kept her eyes on his the entire time, waiting for the tea to cool down, trying to figure out what he was telling her. A dull headache made her lose focus, his words seemed to stretch far too long. 

“What do you make of it?” Sigurd asked her after having explained the whole vision. 

“I- Um- I need some time to mull it over before I can say anything. It seems strange compared to your usual ones. I mean my grandmother did actually tell me about the curse, which makes your vision a bit eerie, to be honest,” Runa muttered as she picked up her tea cup. 

Sigurd sighed, he was afraid that his vision was somewhat based in truth, they always were, “Take your time. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with the information. Am I related to a witch? Is it real? I thought this village was abandoned for years after the black plague so all the families that live here shouldn’t be related to anyone who used to live here before, right? On a side note, why did my grandmother never tell me about any curse?” 

Runa placed her fingertips on her temples, resting her head on her hand as she inhaled the tea, “This might be a good chance for you to dig around in your family history. As for your grandmother, well, I don’t think she would ever want to scare you with stories of curses. She was the sweetest old lady after all, never had a bad word to say about anyone.” She glanced up at him and smiled. “I have some work to do, reports to fill out. I will think about everything and we will talk when I get home later,” Runa added. 

Sigurd nodded, “Sure, I will see you at home later.” He swiftly finished his tea in one sip, “I won’t want to disturb our district’s only police officer at work,” Sigurd smirked. 

Runa leaned back in her chair, her eyes met his as he got up  and walked over to her. Sigurd leaned down and kissed her lips gently. She felt warm and cozy, like sitting in front of the fireplace on a cold winter day. He wanted to stay, he wanted to shower her in love. Yet he wandered out the door. His mind was full of questions not so easily answered, but perhaps he could ask his mother about their family history. Sigurd glanced up at the big raven perched on the tree branch next to the entrance as he stepped outside, snow falling lightly onto his hair. 

The raven cawed and flapped its wings as Sigurd passed by, “Be careful, Sigurd.” 

“Who said that?” Sigurd turned around, staring right at the raven who had flown down to the ground. 

“Caution. Up is not up anymore,” The raven cawed.