Page 216 of The Ascended
Around us, other boats were pushing off from the bank, forming a loose procession that began to move slowly down the canal. Our small craft joined them.
The night had deepened, the sky above us a vast expanse of stars partially obscured by wisps of cloud. The only light came from the lanterns hung on our boats and from windows we passed. The entire place looked like something out of a dream. The sounds of the celebration faded behind us as we moved deeper into the village, replaced by the gentle splashing of water against wood and the occasional call between boats.
"This place is unreal," I said softly, trailing my fingers through the cool water alongsidethe boat.
Xül hummed in agreement, his gaze moving between the canal ahead and my face. The lantern hanging from our prow cast golden light across his features, softening the angles and highlighting the curve of his lips, the line of his jaw.
“What do you say we go off on our own adventure?” he asked.
I raised an eyebrow. “Was this your plan the whole time?”
He smiled. “Perhaps.”
“Well, let’s go then.”
He steered us away from the lights and music, down a smaller canal that branched off to the east. We passed beneath a low stone bridge, emerging into a wider section of water bordered by weeping trees whose branches trailed in the canal, creating a natural archway.
We drifted into the center, where the water opened up into a perfect circle surrounded by the graceful trees. Moonlight filtered through their branches, casting dappled patterns on the water's surface.
Xül shipped the oar, letting the boat drift to a stop in the center of the pool. The only sounds were the whisper of leaves in the gentle breeze and the occasional splash of a fish breaking the surface nearby.
"There are moments," he said quietly, "when I come here, when I almost forget what I am."
"An escape," I said, understanding immediately.
He nodded. "This place exists outside of that world. Untouched by the politics of Voldaris and the schemes of the Twelve." His gaze lifted to the stars above us. "But I don’t belong here. Not now."
"Because you're immortal," I said, the realization settling heavily between us. "And they're not."
"Because we have responsibilities that extend far beyond this village," he corrected, though his expression told me my first assessment had struck closer to home. "Beyond any single place or time."
I looked down at our reflections in the water below—two figures close but not touching, suspended between earth andsky. Just as we'd been since that night—existing in the same space but somehow miles away from each other.
"It must be difficult," I said softly. "Having a foot in both worlds."
"Only because I can’t seem to find the strength to give one up," he replied with a wry smile.
“Is it that black and white? Must you give one up?”
"My duties to Voldaris will always call me away. No matter how many times I return, I will always be a visitor."
I thought of the family that had welcomed us so warmly, of Nuri's stories, of the easy way they had folded me into their traditions despite knowing I was just passing through. "They love you anyway," I said. "Even knowing you'll leave again."
"That's the cruelty of it," he replied, his gaze moving to the stars visible through the willow branches. "Knowing they'll welcome me back each time, even as the faces change, as those I know grow old and die."
The pain in his voice was so raw, so genuine, that I moved without thinking, shifting to sit beside him on his bench. The boat rocked precariously with my movement but steadied as I settled next to him, our shoulders brushing.
"Is that why you stayed away so long?" I asked. "Because it hurts to come back?"
He didn't answer immediately, but he didn't pull away either. "Partly," he admitted finally. “Though it is also nice to be seen as something other than a prince or a god.”
"I see you, Xül," I whispered, unable to retreat now that I'd come this far.
“I know you do, Thais.” He turned his head towards me, his shoulder tapping mine. “It’s the only reason I trust you with all of this. With them.”
“Why are you doing this to me?” I asked, frustration suddenly bubbling up.
“Taking you on a pleasant midnight boat ride?” he questioned, biting back a smile.
