“But I don’t know what it looks like.”
“You don’t have to. The pool knows your heart and it will find what you most desire, and show it to you.”
Urian made a large O with his lips at the thought of something so incredulous. It was good to be a god and have such tools. And it was why he didn’t understand why his grandfather had been so cruel as to curse them. How could anyone squander such gifts? He’d never understand how anyone could toss away things so precious.
And speaking of …
Closing his eyes, he did as the goddess instructed, then opened his eyes to see the rippling waves forming a beautiful landscape awash in vibrant colors the likes of which he’d never seen before. They were unlike anything he’d ever imagined. Glorious! But the bright light hurt his eyes terribly.
He lifted his hand and squinted in pain. Tears swam in the corners as he tried his best to study every detail.
“That’sthe sun, Uri.”
“It’s blinding.”
“It can be.” She stirred the water again so that the light was less intense and he could see it better.
Urian lowered his hand. “Have you ever seen it, akra?”
“I have.”
“Did you like it?”
She shrugged. “In truth, I thought nothing of it, one way or the other.”
“Then do you miss it?”
Her sadness grew as she let out a ragged sigh. “It’s not what I miss.”
How could she not? “Then what?”
“You’re too young to understand the pain that haunts me. Sadly, you won’t always be and that saddens me most of all.”
Urian didn’t understand her grief, but it ran so deep that he felt it. Wanting to comfort her, he stood up on the edge of the pool, put his arms around her neck, and hugged her close.
Both of the Charonte stepped back.
Apollymi tensed at first and then held him tightly against her breast. She rubbed his back and laid her head against his shoulder. “Anytime you want to see the sun, you come to me, Urian, and I will show it to you.”
“Okies. And anytime you need a hug, akra, you come to me and I will give you one.” He pulled back to smile at her.
She cupped his face in her cold hands. “Your father’s right, you are a scamp. And you shouldn’t tell him about this.”
That only confused him. “Why not?”
“He wouldn’t like it. Best to keep our meetings a secret between us, okay?”
Urian nodded. “Okies.”
She held her hand up. “We need to swear on this.”
He spit on his hand. “Okies, akra.”
She bit her palm until she was bleeding. “A blood oath is stronger than spit.”
His stomach rumbled at the sight and smell.
She arched her brow at the sound. “Are you hungry?”
