Imalwain was cut off from the Dance of Life because she had given herself to Birin.
What Birin did not understand was that this was not something she could simply “get over” in time. Believing that he loved her, she had committed herself, and there was no going back.
Now, she was dying.
She suddenly found herself out of the forest. Without realising what had happened, her power guttered like a spent candle, and she plunged to the ground, knocking the wind out of herself. Bruised, hurt, and exhausted, she lay on her back, retching for breath. Someone had seen her fall, and was running towards her. It was Malina. Imalwain struggled to her knees, and the two Pixies confronted one another.
Even with her truncated senses, Malina could sense Imalwain’s plight, and the sight of her friend in such distress struck her a heavy blow.
‘Imalwain!’ Malina wept, ‘Please . . . you’ve got to stop! You’re killing yourself!’
It was true. Imalwain could no longer use her power without causing herself mortal harm. But she knew this. She wanted only to run and run, until her life, which had become nothing but pain, was gone. Considering her skinned knees and hands, weeping, she laughed suddenly, though her laughter was that of a person beyond caring, who deliberately inflicts self-injury. ‘Well, at least now my pain is plain for all to see.’