Soren strokes the animal’s back. “He’s the color of basbousa.”
“What’sbas-boo-suh?”
“It’s a cake.”
Of course it is. I scratch the cat between his notched ears. “Basbousa it is then.”
A comfortable quiet settles over us, and for some time, I’m reluctant to break it, especially when Soren’s eyes close. I find, though, that I must make one point clear between us.
“Soren?”
“Hm?”
I trace a fingertip over the hard, unyielding surface of one of his horns. “If my mother’s goal is to come here to bring me back with her—” And now that I think about it, I have little doubt it is. “—then I need you to understand something.”
His eyes snap to mine, a predator’s gleam returning there. I look down at him and smooth the hair back from his forehead.
“I am a grown woman,” I say. “Whatever my mother may want for me, I’ve made my decision. I stay with you.”
He swallows, hard, at that. “Serah, I needto—”
GO AWAY!
Perhaps I’m tired, or perhaps I have a looser hold on my emotions after sampling so many in the last hour. Whatever the reason, at this latest prodding from the water, I slap the ground and shout, “You go away! You are the most exasperating thing I have ever had the displeasure of knowing.”
Soren shoots upright, clutching a wide-eyed Basbousa to himself.
“I’m sorry,” I say, rubbing my temples. “It’s the water. It won’t stop telling me to go away.”
“Telling you? It talks?”
“Yes.” Even as I say it, the water begins chanting anew.
Go away go away go away…
I sigh and direct a thought that way.If you’ll tell me why, perhaps I will.
At least for a time.
Tired, the water says in a sulky tone.
Perhaps you wouldn’t be if you would stop yelling at me.
The answer is the same.Tired.
I click my tongue in frustration.You’re tired because you’ve spent too much time in the dark. You will not be tired if you come to see the sun.
I sense hesitation. Confusion.
Sun?
I startle. This water doesn’t remember the sun?
How long has it been down there?
Soren remains quiet as I shut my eyes and try my best to convey a sense of warmth and light.
Sun, I repeat.Remember? I take deep breaths, restoring my patience. It may take time to communicate the concept of the sun, but I have the water’s interest now. This is progress.
