Chapter 24
When they grew tired of the water they all climbed out, sitting in the last of the sun to dry themselves. Jabari stretched out on on a large rock, soaking up the warmth of the day, preparing himself for the moment of going back into the thick of the chaos. Nearby, Brigid played with Isika’s hair, coiling the braids in her hands and letting them go, then tying them into a crown at the top of Isika’s head. As he looked at the side of Isika’s face, two things became very clear to Jabari. He felt far more for Isika than a servant for a queen. He felt far more for her than a friend felt for another friend. Even a friend who had been on two long journeys with a beautiful, talented, funny friend.
He felt that everything else could disappear and she would still be more than enough. Sh
