The Light That Shines From Above

Chapter 44

Two more weeks pass and our departure time seemed to get closer by the day. My mother progressed every day. She was still uneasy around Ikzo but not as intense as before. She didn't look for an exit when he entered a room or flinch when he sat next to her. She even spoke with him alone while I showered.

Ikzo explained most of what that conversation to me later that night. She had expressed her concerns for my safety. She trusted him more than before because of what she had witnessed but she didn't trust the others. With me being involved with him she was worried that that would bring me closer to them. 

He was able to inform her about everything that was set in place to prevent anything from happening to me. He also explained in more detail what had happened. At first I was worried about that but he assured me he monitored her mind and feelings, avoiding things that spiked anything negative.

Turns out that doing that actually made her better, at least with him. I wasn't sure exactly how that had happened but it did. He furthered the progression by explaining more about Occolla, specifically their customs in comparison to .

Her and I had more conversations about where she wanted to move to as well. She wasn't sure if she wanted to go so far this time. We spoke about how she believed they should have taken her again by now. I went to explain again that wasn't going to happen but she hesitantly admitted it made her believe me more than before. 

She expressed her doubts about my word were minimal now and I figured they were shrinking by the night. Each morning she woke the same she seemed to be more stable. She was falling back into her usual self between abductions.

That was the version of my mother I didn't have to worry about. She was more rational and calm. It was her survival mode dropping as the environment around her stabilized.

That was three days ago but I stayed longer to ensure it wasn't a fluke.

Ikzo was incredibly patient during the whole process. I couldn't have been more grateful for him. He was soft spoken and cautious around her, not physically doing much so that she wouldn't spook. As time went on he had to do less of that. Still, he kept his camouflage up. That I knew would hinder her recovery. I don't think she'd ever be prepared to see him in his true form.

Today was the biggest step she's taken so far. She was in town alone. It worried me a bit but she was the one who brought up the idea to begin with. She wanted to try and work back into normal interactions. Ikzo's discrete nod showed she was serious and mentally stable to do this.

Warm hands cupped my hips pulling me back into Ikzo's broad chest before sliding to lock around my waist, "You're obsessing over her again." He voiced in my ear.

I relaxed back against him, pausing on the box I was taping up, "Not that much."

He hummed knowingly, "I can read your mind remember?" he half joked, "She's perfectly fine, speaking to some woman named Jan actually."

I spun in his arms, "You can hear her still?"

I remember him saying he could hear as far as he wanted. I didn't think it was that literal.

He nodded, "Yes. I figured it would be best to stay in the loop in case she got too overwhelmed, so you'd be able to go and get her."

I smiled as my heart swelled, "Thank you," I said with meaning, "I really appreciate you doing this. Doing all of this. You've been really good with her."

He pecked my lips, "You're welcome Xi Roxi." His smile was softer as his brushed back some of the red strands that fell from my bun, "I just wish you wouldn't worry so much. It makes you feel bad."