The Icon Unbound

Chapter Twenty-Eight, Part B -Mirrah

Ahhh the last part of the last chapter. A great many thanks to all of you that took time to read and respond. You don't know what that means! --Elizabeth 08/05/2017

"No. I won't go through that again. Nadir gave me a chance to change everything. My time as the Icon of Waterwall is over. Whatever happens next I will face it as a citizen."

"We will face it together." Saiph threaded his fingers through hers, pulling her hand close so that he could kiss every finger. "I am glad that you are going to stay this way. I couldn't bear it if you were re-bound and cold again. All these years I missed your warmth."

"You changed." She kept searching his face, but she couldn't find what unsettled her so, except a certain shadow behind his expression. "There was a time when you could bear all things as long as I was alive and near."

"It's not enough anymore. This may be the most selfish thing I have ever done, and I don't care. You're mine."

Unable to argue with him, Mirrah searched to put a name to her feelings. This was what she always wanted. Why then, did she feel so cold?

"We're going home?"

He nodded without raising his head. "Unless you wish to stay, there are a great many people who would benefit from your guidance."

"I think I've seen enough of the world outside the Waterwall."

"I wish I could say that I will never set foot outside it either. Rigel has decided to stay and see...this isn't over for him. He thinks once Ru'a realizes the sky people are gone, she'll return."

Mirrah clenched her hand in Saiph's hair. "If she ever comes to Waterwall, I will do my best to claw her eyes out." The moment the words were out of her mouth, she cringed. That was not something an Icon would say, but Saiph actually smiled, as if pleased with her outburst. He seemed content to run his fingers up and down her bare arm, cupping his palm over her skin to create a shadow deep enough for her glow to be visible.

"It's still here."

"I've seen your skin get dull twice now." He kissed the skin on the crook of her elbow. "Never again. I hope she returns. I owe you her heart on a platter."

Mirrah closed her eyes and for a moment she was young again, on the floor of the cabin, looking up through her swollen eyes at her rescuer. "Before even that man...he wasn't my father, but he should have kept me safe, he had no reason to harm me as he did. You've always taken such good care of me. I want to take care of you too."

Saiph growled. "I'll never be sorry for what I did that day, I am only sorry I didn't find you sooner. And if your real father had taken you, I would be wandering around a half-person. If I ever met your real father, I would be hard pressed to thank him before I broke his jaw."

"I suppose he doesn't matter. Whoever he was, he left me. If you hadn't come along I would have been buried in some lonely grave on the mountain. I don't know why they can't come back, and right now, I'm not sure I care. We have larger concerns."

Saints, how did she even start this conversation? How could she talk about the darkness she saw inside him without revealing her own?

"Something else?" Saiph sat up and grinned. "Like dinner."

"What?"

A flicker of his boyish charm returned as he reached out to cup her face. "You haven't eaten since yesterday. I know I can't replace Nadir, but I will try to look after you as well as he did. Starting with food." Saiph leaned in and kissed her again, brushing his lips against hers with the assuredness of someone who has come home at last. "And then, I think I can get the conductor to order a bath." Another kiss. "And then, we might do something truly scandalous, like sleep." He moved reluctantly away from her. "Waterwall will be the safest place for all of us until we can figure out our strategy. They have extra food, thanks to you, and high ground. Don't worry my love. I will never leave your side."