Page 176 of A Soul to Guide

“I could find a way to get you new jewellery?” he offered, wishing to be of help. He’d just steal it.

She sobbed harder, making him wince when he realised he’d said the wrong thing.

“They can’t just be anything. Each band on each limb has a meaning and an engraving. They’re special. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful; I just miss everything about my home. I miss eating good food and wearing clothes that aren’t itchy, going out into the sun and feeling warmth.”

“I didn’t know you found it so unpleasant here.”

It was all he could say, since it wasn’t his fault Earth was the way it was. Should he apologise for something he couldn’t control? Was that how sympathy worked?

“I’m sorry,” she exclaimed. “I d-don’t mean your home. I know you’ve tried to be as accommodating as you can be. You’ve been so helpful, and I don’t know what I would have done without you. Please, just give me a few moments to collect myself. I don’t know what’s come over me.”

She went to get up to be on her own, but Merikh let out a soft growl as he yanked her back to his lap.

“I have no issue with your tears, Raewyn. If you wish to cry and explain why Earth is terrible, then you are free to do so.”

“I don’t want you to think I’m blaming you, or that I’m unhappy because of you,” she said as she turned up a beseeching expression towards him.

“Even if that were the case, I’m sure you would tell me,” he said, unsure if that was true. He began patting her head, hoping it felt soothing. “I don’t know how to comfort another, so if I say something that could be misinterpreted as something thoughtless, understand I don’t mean it that way, unless it is obvious.”

“I’m sure it’s uncomfortable to have someone crying on your lap when you’re trying to enjoy something,” she replied softly, rubbing her wet cheek on the back of her wrist.

Does she think I care that much about the rain?He wasn’t so shallow.

“Not as much as you might think. Whether you are crying, angry, or happy, I enjoy your company.” His orbs threatened to turn a reddish pink in embarrassment at his own words, but he managed to snuff out the urge. “I am not used to it, and unsure of what to do most of the time, but if you wish to feel homesick and cry in my arms, I will hold you, if it makes you feel better. If you wish to go off and cry by yourself privately, I will go into the rain. Like I already stated, I find it pleasant, so doing so would not upset me.”

“No, please stay,” she sniffled as she hugged his midsection without putting her arms around him. “I promise I’ll stop crying soon.”

Despite the terribleness of her mood and how it made his gut twist, his chest was light from her desire to stay exactly how she was – upon his lap.

She continued to cry while he petted her head.

“Does it rain a lot in your realm?” he asked, hoping to distract her after some time passed.

She nodded. “Yeah, but it’s really refreshing. It’s not miserable like it is here. Although, I do like the way it sounds hitting the lake.”

“I like it, too. It’s like the waterfall has grown.”

When her tears began to settle, he knew she was listening, since her face was pointed towards outside. He shared his sight with her once more and pointed.

“I like the way the grass smells after it rains. Everything smells fresh and more alive, and the lake is much deeper afterwards, so it has a different colour.”

Her lips twisted. “I wish I could swim in it.”

He tilted his head as his orbs turned yellow. “I guess I didn’t notice that you didn’t swim, only bathed. I could try warming it for you, but it might take me a few hours.”

If he could make warm bath water with his own blood, he was sure there was a way he could warm the lake for her.

She shook her head, making her curls bounce around her head.

“It’s actually warmer in the lake than outside it.” She wrung her hands against her abdomen. “It’s just... water is really disorientating for me. I haven’t swum properly since I lost my sight. InLezekos City, we have a beach we can swim in, but the barrier only stops things from outside coming in. Since I can’t see which way the city is, I’ve always been worried I’ll accidentally swim outside the barrier, even though we have things to prevent that. But what if it’s somehow broken one day? I also don’t want to get tired and drown, nor do I want to have to ask for help and need rescuing. I don’t mind when it’s a controlled environment like a small pool, but from what I remember when you shared your sight with me, it’s really big.”

“Wouldn’t you know where to go because of the waterfall? You also said you can see the ward.”

“Yeah, but what if I don’t come out where I think I have? The stress just doesn’t seem worth it to me.”

I see.He didn’t know she had such reservations about his home. What else was she hiding?

“I cannot swim,” he admitted, and her face shot to him in surprise. He rolled his head. “I know how to by what I’ve seen, but I don’t think any Duskwalker can float. I’m too dense. I just sink, like a rock tossed into water.” He cupped the side of her face before tucking her hair behind her ear. “But I know the deepest parts of the lake, so I can be there with you if you wish to swim in it.”

---