RESIGNATION
Bastian walked into Gabriel’s room just as Sky kissed the Ange’el. The Ma’asai wasn’t expecting to see her there as he checked on his cousin during the evening while Sage slept.
“How is he?” Bastian asked, noticing the way she caressed Gabriel’s hand with infinite tenderness, a softness that Bastian had never experienced from his Yi’ingo lover.
“Peaceful,” Sky replied, her eyes still set on the Ange’el.
After a moment of quiet sorrow, she got up and they both walked outside to the veranda. Bastian felt an unfamiliar sombreness settle over him. His eyes expressed dignified resignation as if predicting a future that, in his mind, was now inevitable. He tried to conjure a bit of his old self—how he could use an overconfident smile right now.
“You should have told me. I can’t
