My eyes quickly shift upward to meet his gaze, and a nervous lump forms in my throat. “I don’t know. A lot has changed.”
“Yes, it has,”a sweet, ancient voice whispers reverently.
“You finally let us in,”another adds.
I gently close my eyes and release a sigh, the weight of the past few days pressing down on me. “I didn’t think I was going to make it.”
“But you did.” Gabe’s voice cuts through the silence, steady and reassuring.
I open my eyes and find myself staring at him, the truth of his words slowly sinking in. “I did.”
Gabe nods, his gaze steady. “You also wear the markings of a spirit.”
Myeyes widen in surprise, and I tilt my head in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
Gabe’s gaze lowers, trailing over my body, but not in a way that feels intrusive or uncomfortable—he’s looking at something. The summer dress Nesrin gave me flows gently around me as the wind picks up.
“The gold bands,” he murmurs, his voice thoughtful. “It’s magic. You accessed the spirits.”
I glance down, not seeing the golden bands. I know they are there, but I hid them. As I let go of the concealment, they faintly shimmer against my skin, delicate and ethereal, like they’re not quite of this world. They pulse softly with a rhythm that feels both familiar and foreign.
“How . . . did you see them?” I ask.
Gabe’s expression shifts to amusement as he meets my eyes again. “I’m special.”
I can’t help but laugh at his casually spoken words.
“You must have connected with the spirits during your ordeal. They’ve left their mark on you—a sign of their protection, their power.”
“I didn’t even realize . . . they didn’t appear until I was healed.”
He steps closer, his presence grounding me amidst the swirl of emotions. “You’ve been through a lot. It’s not surprising that the spirits would reach out to you, offering their guidance and strength.”
“Is this you guys?”I ask my ancestors.
“Yes, you finally accepted us.”
“Standing apart from the group and silently watching everyone.” Nesrin taps her chin. “Now who does that remind me of?” she teases.
I was completely unaware of Nesrin’s presence until she stepped right up beside me. With a chuckle, Gabe raises his palms, a playful light in his eyes.
“Your markings are beautiful,” Nesrin says.
“Thank you.”
“I’m going to help bring the food out,” Gabe says, nodding at both of us.
Nesrin and I watch Gabe leave, the quiet moment lingering between us before she turns to face me. Her gaze is gentle but searching, her concern evident in the softness of her voice. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
Her words catch me off guard. My breath hitches slightly, and a flood of emotions surges up in my throat, threatening to choke me. It’s a simple question, but one that holds so much weight. Apart from Kai, no one has ever truly asked if I’m okay, if I’ve come back hurt or injured, or if I’m in any kind of pain. And now, in such a short span of time, both Gabe and Nesrin have shown this unexpected concern for me.
I don’t know how to answer. I’ve always prided myself on being strong and independent, someone who can handle anything thrown my way. Growing up, showing weakness wasn’t an option—it was met with swift and severe punishment. I learned early on to bury my vulnerabilities deep, to hide them behind a mask of unshakable strength. So, to have someone care,genuinelycare, about how I’m feeling—it’s unsettling.
I struggle to find the right words, the right way to express how foreign this all feels. “I . . .” I begin, but my voice falters, the uncertainty of how to respond making me feel more exposed than any battle ever could.
Nesrin doesn’t push. She simply waits, her patient presence a comfort in itself. The concern in her eyes is real, and it’s that sincerity that starts to crack the walls I’ve built around myself. I can feel the years of guardedness, of self-reliance, starting to loosen their grip, but it’s hard to let go.
“I’m not used to this,” I finally manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve never . . . had anyone ask if I’m okay. Apart from Kai.” And even then, I don’t think I’ve ever let him truly know. Every time he asked, I turned it physical, distracting him.
