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So I relayed that. Rebexa sat up, clearly paying attention. "Can I get a sign? Something to prove she's actually here?"
"Her childhood dog was named Buttons," Savi told me. "It was a mongrel she found as a puppy and raised in her closet until her mother found it. Her father complained that they couldn't afford another mouth, but Rebexa begged, crying so hard, and he gave in."
"Buttons," I told Rebexa. "A mongrel you found as a puppy, raised in your closet, and your mother found. Your father said no, but when you cried, he caved."
The air rushed from Rebexa's lips. "She's real." The woman looked up at Edrik. "No one should know about the closet, even if they knew about Buttons!"
"Tell her I'm sitting here," Savi insisted. "Nari, please have her close her eyes and open them, believing I'm sitting here?!"
"Rebexa, Savi is right here," I said, reaching out for the woman's hand. "She's beautiful, she's watching you, and she's ready. Believe she's here, close your eyes, and just accept that she's real." She did, pulling in a deep breath. "Now open them," I whispered.
Rebexa let the breath fall back out as she raised her lids. Her eyes moved to the chair beside me - and the woman jumped to her feet.
"Fuck me!" she gasped, looking up at Edrik and then back. "There's a woman here."
"Hello, Rebexa," Savi said. "We have a lot to talk about, I think."
"I don't see anyone," Edrik admitted, talking over the end of her sentence.
"She's here," I assured him, easing myself to my feet. "I also think those two no longer need us." But I paused to rest my hand on Savi's shoulder. "More will come. You will get stronger, and I'm not going to give up."
Savi reached up to pat my hand where it rested. "I know. I just needed Rebexa now, because you really can't do this on your own. She can help me find a foothold in Intuition as well. Now go celebrate. You've earned a little fun, Priestess."
I gestured to the door, and we all headed that way. Talin moved to hold the flap aside for us, but Edrik was walking as if in a daze. The moment we were outside, he immediately spun to face me.
"Just like that?" he asked. "One moment nothing, and the next she can see our goddess perfectly?"
"Did you assume Savi would be partially transparent like some ghost?" I teased. "Yes, Edrik. The moment you believe, you will be able to see her. Not believing doesn't mean you're a bad priest. It simply means that our world has learned to be distrustful. To protect ourselves and what we care about most, we've all learned to ask too many questions and believe cautiously. The gods want blind faith."
"And she's real," he said. "That is all that matters. My goddess isreal." The man stepped in and hugged me hard. "The Temple of All Gods deserves you, Nari, but I think Zeal has too strong of a hold on you. Thank you for finding my goddess."
"She was always here," I promised.
"But we weren't." He leaned back and sighed around a smile. "Perception will always have our doors open to you. If Kinen casts you out, just know that we will shelter Zeal's Chosen. It's the least we can do to pay back you and the gods."
