Chapter 16
The children were allowed to play in the yard for the first time in years. For some, like Noor, it was the very first time they had stepped outside of the fortress and into the fresh air.
Nora sat on the bench by the edge of the playground soaking in the warm sunlight as she listened to the children laughing and playing. Noor chased one of his friends and exerted all of his energy climbing up and down the firemen pole. Even when he was dripping in sweat and red in the face, he did not stop.
"Nora!" He called to her from across the yard. "Look! Look at me!"
"I am looking," Nora found herself laughing at the boy's enthusiasm.
Noor wrapped his tiny legs around the pole and slid down to the ground. He didn't release them fast enough and landed right on his bum.
"One more time!" he said, jumping up. "It'll be better this time!"
"Slow down," Nora said to him as he zoomed up the stairs. "Noor!"
"Kids are high on crack."
Nora looked up and spotted Nico taking a seat beside her. She moved aside Noor's stuff to make space for him.
"Great weather, we're having, no?" The boy looked up at the sky.
"Yeah," Nora nodded. "It's nice."
"Must be the Shajara," Nico smiled. "Otherwise, it's always raining here."
Nora turned her face towards the sun and closed her eyes. She could hear Noor's little voice shouting around the playground like a maniac. Somewhere, Afet laughed as she pushed the children on the swing and they begged her to go higher.
"Thank you."
Nora slowly opened her eyes and turned towards Nico.
"For all this," the boy gestured towards the playground. "I don't think I've ever seen them outside."
Nora slowly nodded, "How are things in town? I bet the families were happy to have their children back."
"Over the moon," Nico laughed. "They're all very grateful for what you did."
Nora's heart contracted once more. She looked down at her wrist and snuck her finger beneath her long sleeves to touch her cold skin.
"Have you seen him since..." Nico asked slowly.
"What do you mean?" Nora held her breath and looked down at the ground.
"Your fey," Nico said. "Have you spoken to him since you were purified?"
Nora shook her head, "No."
"Poor guy," Nico let out a heavy sigh. "I can't imagine what you two must be going through right now."
Nora sat silently, suddenly too anxious to move. Her heart ached with each beat as she dragged her nails down her wrist, hoping for something...anything.
"You should talk to him," Nico said after a short pause.
Nora turned towards him and arched her brow.
"Unless you two called things off...." Nico tested the water. "I mean, I guess I would understand. You gave up something so significant as the mark. I can only imagine how rocky the relationship must be right now."
"I don't need this right now," Nora jumped to her feet.
"Nora, wait," Nico's face hardened. "Listen to me."
