Page 115 of Beautifully Wild

His eyes widen. “You believe she’s your father’s sister? Your aunt?” His voice is skeptical.

“Well… my gran’s baby died. So, I don’t know, but don’t you at least think it’s strange that Kaikare has the mirror to match? Because I believe the shaman had something to do with Gran.”

He holds the black and white photo closer to his eyes. “It’s taken too far away to identify anyone. Did your grandmother travel to Papua New Guinea?”

“I don’t know the details of her travels. There was another journal, although she apparently gave it to her friend.”

“Is her friend alive?”

“My parents haven’t spoken to her since Gran’s funeral. I understood the hurt it caused my father, so I’ve worked with what I have. Could you ask the shaman some questions?”

Samuel raises both hands. “It’s a delicate matter. Ularan shamans don’t marry. They commit their energy to the forest and her medicine. It’s why Kaikare never found a partner as she’s following in her father’s footsteps.”

“Like a priest?”

“There have been partners but no marriage. His work comes first.”

“Like you when we first met.”

He gives me a look. Behind his eyes, I sense the cogs of time turning. “Yes, and yet here we are.” He pulls me into his arms. “I’m sorry I haven’t messaged. I didn’t want Asoo to visit, and I couldn’t risk my phone being lost because we’ve had torrential rain.”

“I heard about the cannibals, which is another thing I want to talk about.”

“I didn’t want you to worry. I’m fine and know what I’m doing. Your being here changes everything.”

56

Samuel

“CanweshowKaikaremy brush?” Eden hands the brush once owned by her grandmother to Samuel.

Samuel understands Eden’s enthusiasm, although he’s aware of the fragility of the Ularan people’s emotions by searching for answers and being intrusive. Over the months, Eden was gone when the lonely nights merged into one long, dark night until he realized she was livingher lifewithout him. They loved each other, this he knew and made promises, knowing time holds the power to erode the chains of promise. He’d learned that cruel truth from his parents.

He had tried to go back to how things were before her. Tried to forget how she made him feel by spending countless hours in the garden with the shaman. He ventured out beyond their boundary in search of a miracle despite the danger, to bring testament to why he is there—the reason to his life choice.

The pain he sufferedbeforecoming to Ulara resurfaced and found cracks in his armor. His strength weathered like a rock battered by the ocean, anxiety seeping into tiny fissures. With his shield weakened, he had to eliminate debilitating thoughts and focus on why he is here, not his own selfish desires.

Each day he woke focused on small wins in progress.

Nothing made sense without her.

Eden had changed him.

“Yes.”

The answer he wants to give to every question she asks of him.

But this question is lined with warning.

Lives may change.

Hearts might break.

All for a secret shared by two lovers, forever apart.

He makes a silent promise that the same fate will not be repeated for him and Eden.

Samuel flips the brush in his hands, studying the detail. “Kaikare will be curious. Consider the repercussions. Anger is unacceptable here. Please remember their ways.”

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