I watched the eldest priest approach me cautiously. His wrinkled features made him appear soft, but I could sense a will of iron beneath that. His eyes were blue which was quite uncommon among Waterfolk and usually meant bad eye sight. Even as he stood three feet away from us his eyes were slits.

“Sol, was it?” the priest said in a voice just as soft as he looked.

I nodded.

“We have not heard the Gentle God speak to us in centuries. We are truly humbled by your presence. May I?” he said pointing to my hair. Neoma tensed, but I waved her aside. I approached the priest slowly and as I stepped closer his eyes widened more. He picked up one lock of my hair and ran it through his fingers. “This hair was not dyed. This woman is a champion of the Gentle God. ”

Several people kneeled in prayer.

“What does that mean for me? What am I supposed to do?” I asked.

“I cannot speak for the Gentle God. I’m sure when you are ready they will tell you.”

I sighed. Why did this have to be difficult? Couldn’t the Gentle God be straightforward? I was a champion? Was I to slay Lemuete? What did they mean by carrying out their will and what did it have to do with my mother or changing my hair color?

This was exactly what I needed more of in my life; stress. Thank you god.

“Neoma, let’s go home,” I said quietly.

“You can return here at any time,” the elder priest said.

“Thank you,” I replied.

“And, Sol, the gods always choose their champions in pairs.”

I felt like sprinting through the garden but instead forced myself to walk at a moderate pace. Neoma kept looking back over her shoulder. I could feel how nervous she was as we passed by strangers that silently stared at us.

I stopped myself from touching my hair again. Hopefully Vael didn’t mind the new color.

When we cleared the water at the entrance to the hold the guards visibly stiffened in surprise. A silent dialogue passed between them and Neoma. I wondered for a moment if she was in trouble. How was a guard supposed to protect someone from a god? Hopefully her leadership would not be too hard on her.

I dried my feet with a towel and placed it in a discard basket. Neoma followed suit then faced me. “Ma’am,” she said.

“Thank you for your help today,” I said. “It was most welcome. If I ever need a guard again I hope that I can count on you.”

Neoma smiled at me and I felt my face flush with warmth. “It was an honor. I haven’t had fun like this in months!”

“Fun?” I laughed. Watching someone be carried off by the wind or confronting a moving statue was fun? I guess anything could be fun when it wasn’t happening to you. “Stay with me long enough and I’m sure that you will have plenty of fun.”

We parted ways and I returned to my room. An hour later there was a knock on my door. “Who is it?” I asked through the door.

“Sol, it’s me,” Vael said.

My heart skipped a beat and I smiled. “Who’s me?” I heard a soft thud and assumed that Vael had rested his head against my door.

“Please, Sol, I’m not in the mood for games.”

I opened my door and let him into my room. He immediately closed it and pinned me against it. My heart raced as he stared intently into my eyes. He moved one hand and ran his fingers up the side of my neck and into my hair. I sucked in my breath as my knees threatened to buckle.

“Your hair,” he breathed.

“Yes, I know.”

“I heard about it from the guards. The whole village is talking about it.”

I looked away. “Perks of being the village pariah.”

Vael lifted my chin and forced me to look at him. “You are too hard on yourself. You are not a pariah.”

“I killed Cia and everyone hates me! Now they’re going to be scared of me too!”

Vael hugged and rocked me. “I know you’re scared. Just talk to me. I hate to see you like this.”

“With my white hair?” I said. I knew I wasn’t being fair. I wanted to wrap myself in his scent and stay in his arms forever and yet I also wanted him to hate me for what I had done. I was a murderer. How could he be so forgiving toward me? It would be better if he was angry.

He sighed and rested his chin on my head. “Sol, I don’t know what to say to make you happy. I wish I could just take your pain away.”

“That’s not your job,” I muttered. He pulled back and I saw the anger in his eyes. I panicked and slammed my head against the door. His eyes flashed with pain and he pulled me away from the door.

“Let me see your head.”

I turned my back to him. His fingers felt gentle as they prodded my scalp.

“Listen… when I asked you to marry me, I was volunteering to be your anchor in rough waters. Right now Ai is brewing a storm when you’re already drowning in mine. I should have told you about Cia. I shouldn’t have left you two alone together. If I had kept you apart then you wouldn’t be suffering.”

Vael’s arms encircled me. I rested my hands on his and let myself cry.

“If I had been a better man I would not have hurt you and Cia would not have been killed.”

“I guess we’re both to blame…” I gripped his hands tightly.

“I would understand if you said you didn’t want to marry-”

Before he finished his sentence I turned and pressed my lips against his roughly. He stumbled back then rested his hands on my hips. “I love you Vael and I would be happy to be your wife.” He kissed me back and my heart soared. I would never stop hurting over Cia, but I was glad that I did not have to carry the burden alone.

Vael pushed away abruptly. “If we continue like this then I won’t be to control myself.”

I smirked. “Then can we talk about the Gentle God?”

“I think that may be best.”

We sat down together on my chairs and I poured some water for him. “The Gentle God called me.”

“Called you for what?”

I shrugged. “They changed my hair and said my name.”

“I heard something different. Is it true that the wind carried you off? And the statue, did it move?”

I closed my eyes. I still felt unsettled by the statue. It was one thing to know about a god’s existence and quite another for them to speak to you. How was I special?

“It’s true. The wind picked me up and carried me into the garden before dropping me. Then the statue moved. It was… scary. Its head was on fire.” I realized that I had my hands up as I described the statue and quickly put them down. “They said I’m like my mother.”

“Dorotea?”

“Yes.”

“She was one of our best guards. I know nothing about her being close to a god. Her hair wasn’t even white.”

“I know.” I sipped from my cup. Maybe my father knew. I wondered what other secrets he had.

“Are you ready for our journey tomorrow?”

I laughed and shook my head. “Obviously not,” I said holding my hair out. “Is there a dye that I can use?”

Vael leaned in close. “Keep it that way. I like it.”

I wrinkled my nose. “If you insist, my Lord.”

“I do.” He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed the fingertips. “Have you picked out what you want to bring with you?”

“Yolande has already set aside some clothes. I don’t know what else to bring besides my writing tools.”

“How are your studies?”

“I don’t think I was meant to read,” I said feeling irritated. I loved stories, but learning to read was tedious with repetition.

“Do you want Aur to surpass you?”

“Gah. Alright, I’ll keep learning.”

“How are you supposed to write your vows if you can’t read?” Vael smirked and I wanted to throw something hard at him. Fortunately for the cup it was too pretty. I set said cup down gently and scowled. Very fortunate.