NEARLY TWO HOURS WENT by with no sign of the Sapient. Though Caia’s heartbeat slowed, her stomach still ached with fear for him. No one else seemed worried, which bothered her immensely. Sure, he was not the kindest gentleman and no, he did not have the best way with words, but he saved her life more than once and that was enough to earn her concern.
Atar looked upon his daughter sitting on the floor against the far wall. Caia met his gaze a few instances over the time they sat there. “Such lovely eyes you have,” he said softly. “Just like your mother’s. How proud she would have been to watch you grow into the woman you are.”
Caia fumbled with her hands and frowned at the small talk—especially about her mother. No one knew what became of her after she’d departed fourteen years earlier fo
