Born of Water

Born of Water Chapter 31

CHAPTER 31

FIRE AND WATER

Sinika leaned his hip against a wooden desk, arms crossed in front of him. The slight gray at his temples was more pronounced than she remembered. But otherwise, though it felt like years since Niri had seen him, he was unchanged. It had really only been a few weeks.

Niri's heart did not even skip a beat. A seed of certainty that Sinika would be waiting for her in the Temple of Dust had lodged in her ever since she had read Laith Lus's journal and heard him speak of the war. Now, it had been fulfilled. With her finger tips on the letter condemning the Order of Fire, she felt balanced on a pinhead of time. With the next breath or the first words, Niri would know Sinika's intentions. That he was there waiting did not bode well. She could only be thankful for the twist of luck that she stood facing him alone.

The faint smile on Sinika's full lips died. His brow creased as Niri stayed where she stood, each watching the other.

"I thought you knew I would come here to wait for you. To help you." His voice was warm and deep, laced with affection. Above his refined cheekbones and thin nose, his hazel eyes were warm and soft.

"By the light's goodness, Nirine, I've been waiting here for weeks. I was beginning to think you'd never come."

Sinika's tone tinged with distaste for the ruined Temple and impatience. The pace of Niri's heart picked up, bringing a bloom of warmth to her chest.

"I had some trouble. I'm surprised you waited down here, Sinika, and not on the road from Rah Hahsessah or in Karakastad. I never expected to see you lurking in the bowels of the earth."

Sinika waved a hand. "It was too long of a wait to stay in the desert. There is nothing up there." He slid a hand through his hair. "This... this pit is the only shelter for days and this room, it gave me something to do while I waited."

Sinika looked over at her, a smile flowing across his lips. When he spoke her name, he said it slowly as if he savored it. "Nirine, I've been worried about you. It has been weeks. Longer than I thought it would take you to bring the girl. Why don't you come to me? What is wrong?"

Niri vibrated with emotion. One word had dropped like a stone into a pool, breaking the stillness with waves radiating and reflecting. She looked away from Sinika.

"Why don't you come to me, Sinika? Have you been waiting for me or for the girl? You know it is a girl, so you've been a part of the search. What do you want with her?"

Sinika took a step closer, coming further into the circle of light. It softened his red-brown hair, but cast his eyes into deeper shadow. "Is she here?"

"I could tell you I came alone. Did you?"

Anger flashed across Sinika's face, his high forehead wrinkling in irritation. Then, he smoothed his features once more.

"We don't intend to hurt her. Is that what you are afraid of? The Church could use her... and protect her from herself. How better to keep her from the Curse? We want to understand why this trait runs so deeply in her family. If her gifts could be combined with an Elemental's..." There a hint of greed under his consoling tone.

Niri's stomach twisted. She wished for nothing more than a way to warn Ria and Lavinia, berating herself for having brought them. But if she yelled, there was as much of a chance that they would come running rather than leave.

Niri bowed her head, closing her eyes. She could feel her hands shaking. In her most chastised tone, she confessed to Sinika.

"It has been so difficult. I could not bear to be cast out of the Church. How can I come to you, Sinika, when I am no longer a Priestess? I am unworthy to ever enter the Temple of Solaire again. Is there no hope for me? I... I only want to return somehow."