Page 211 of The Ascended
Layla cut through my thoughts. “You dice those very well for someone who's never preparedkalarabefore."
"I'm used to prepping food," I explained. "In Saltcrest, I worked with my father harvesting oysters."
"Oysters!" Dara exclaimed. "I've never had those. Are they good?"
"The best," I assured her. "Especially fresh from the sea."
Xül was seated on a low stool surrounded by several of the older family members. Nuri had left our table and now stood behind him, her fingers working deftly through his braids.
"She’s re-braiding his hair," Amara said, noticing my lingering eye. "It is tradition when family returns home."
I watched, fascinated, as the woman combed through Xül's long black curls, sectioning it. Her mouth moved constantly, sayingsomething that had Xül and the others alternating between smiles and solemn nods.
"What is she saying?" I asked.
"Old stories," Amara replied. "She reminds Xül of who he is when he has been away too long."
Across the room, he laughed. I rarely heard him laugh like that.
"He doesn't visit often, does he?" I asked.
"Time moves differently for him than for us," Amara replied, her tone measured. "It will only get worse as the years pass." She gestured toward a toddler playing with wooden blocks in the corner. "Eliza there was just a babe the last time he came home. Now she walks and talks."
"Can you tell us about the Trials?" said a quiet voice beside me. I turned to find Dara staring up at me with solemn eyes.
A hush fell over the kitchen. The women's hands stilled, their expressions guarded.
"Dara," Amara chided. "We do not speak of such things."
"But Grandmother said?—"
"Your grandmother says many things," Amara interrupted, her tone brooking no argument. "Go help your brother with the bread."
The girl slunk away, casting a curious glance back at me. The women resumed their work, but the easy atmosphere had shifted.
Across the room, I noticed Xül had gone rigid, his expression closed.
"I apologize," Amara said softly. "Those are… not subjects we discuss freely here."
"It's alright," I assured her, though I was curious about their reaction. "I understand."
Dinner was a joyous affair,with delicious dishes I'd never tasted—the stew we'd prepared, rich with unfamiliar spices; flatbread still warm from the oven; roasted vegetables glazed with honey and pepper.
We sat on cushions around low tables arranged in a loose circle. I found myself between Layla and one of the twins—Davi, I learned, Dara's brother.
"What’s your gift?" he asked as soon as I'd settled.
I nearly choked on my first bite. I looked around, expecting to see the same hesitation from earlier when Dara had asked about the Trials, but found no such thing. Everyone’s eyes were on me now, curious.
“Gifts aren’t a taboo subject here,” Nuri cut in, clearly reading my confusion. “Only the fate that befalls the people who manifest them”
Xül cleared his throat, adjusting his collar.
"It's... complicated," I told Davi.
"Can you show us?" he pressed.
"Davi," Layla scolded gently. "Our guest is trying to eat."
