“Are you alright?” Seraphim asked, lifting my chin to inspect my face. “You look whole on the outside, at least.”
“On the outside.” I agreed.
“I called a meeting.” She continued. “I hope you don’t mind. But I got here first, in case you needed a little girl time.”
Breathing a laugh, I smiled. “I’ve never had it. But from how others talk, it sounds like I’m missing out.”
“You are.” Seraphim placed a hand on my shoulder. “I figured I should tell you something, because Eleos won’t. He bottles everything up. Nothing I learned about him came free.”
“You and Percy had me worried,” I knit my hands together. “I thought something horrible happened to him.”
“We saw the three of you just before we were separated.” She removed her hand and stood across from me. “Eleos darted away, trying to help a poor woman and her child. We lost sight of you and Seth after that.”
“I remember.”
“I. . .” She ran a hand along her braid. “I saw the writing on the wall. I grabbed Eleos and dragged him away. The mother and child died a moment later. Had he stayed, so would he.”
“Does he blame you?” I asked softly.
“No. He blames himself.” She sighed. “Coupled with losing you, he took the events hard. Do you know what he said?” She spun the fire above the water, creating dancing lights on its surface. “He was more upset that trying to help two innocents cost him you. And realizing the selfishness in that thought, his guilt only deepened.”
A thrum rang through my heart, like the strings of a lute being plucked. Part of me felt a rush of joy; the other, a cold wave of grief.
“I’m glad you’re here.” Seraphim smiled. “For many reasons. As for our scholar, try to tell him he did the right thing.”
“I will,” I promised, studying the creases of age around her eyes. “Do you regret it? Leaving that woman behind?”
“Of course.” Seraphim’s eyes lowered. “But you grow numb to it, eventually. Not everyone can be saved. You have to pick and choose who gets to live, as cruel as it might sound.”
“You’ve seen a great deal of loss, then.”
“Yes. Too much.” Seraphim gazed at her reflection in the water, her thoughts drifting to someone in her memories.
I debated questioning her—some people’s wounds deepened when they spoke of those they’d lost, others reveled in a chance to remember their loved ones. Which was she?
“Seraphim?” My voice emerged as a nervous squeak. Settling my nerves, I looked down. “If you ever need someone to talk to, I’ll listen.”
Grinning, Seraphim tilted my chin back up. “You’re adorable. No wonder you have the boys enamored.”
“Hm?”
“I’ll take you up on that offer, next we have peace and quiet and a good bottle of wine.” Seraphim punched my shoulder lightly, turning to watch the approaching lanterns. “And so our time ends.”
Following her gaze, I counted three figures approaching through the night.
Percy swatted bugs off his exposed chest. “Why are we meeting outhere?”
Seth joined my side, laughing at his friend. “If you didn’t dress like that, they wouldn’t bother you so much.”
“I’m not compromising sex appeal for comfort.” Percy planted his hands on his hips. “You’re one to talk, considering the scandalous outfit you used to run around in.”
“Hold on,” I said, eyeing Seth. “Scandalous, eh? Like how Percy dresses? Or how-”
Seth interrupted. “He’s exaggerating.”
“I am not. He-” Percy tried.
“Later,” Seth said in a low tone.
