Esperanza didn't like staying in the cottage most days. Between her mother's slow healing and her father's volatile moods, the air inside felt too tight, too heavy. She was glad to have an excuse to be anywhere else- especially if that excuse came with showing Juan around the Sanctuary.
He wasn't used to quiet village living. Every day was a new discovery for him, and Esperanza took pride in being his guide. They visited the marketplace, Juan quietly observing stalls piled high with woven baskets, colorful fabrics, and jars of spiced fruit preserves. He even spoke to the other boys his age, something Esperanza had never seen him do before.
They explored the cathedral's echoing halls, knelt to help the healers gather herbs from the gardens, and spent afternoons in the fields with the farmers.
But Juan's favorite place by far was the training ring.
Despite being younger than most of the recruits, he and Esperanza could go toe-to-toe with the best of them. Every day, as the scar from his wound faded, his strength returned tenfold.
He swore it was because there was something new in his veins, something magic.
Esperanza believed him. She'd seen it herself: when Juan fought, the earth responded. Monoliths of stone and thick vines rose at his call, golden pollen swirling from his hands like flecks of sunlight caught on the wind. The plants grew faster when he was near, the soil richer, the air warmer.
And always, he wore the turtle pendant she'd carved for him. Never taking it off, not even to sleep.
Esperanza found herself looking for him more and more each day, eager to share whatever trouble she managed to find. He never once told her no.
As Elena healed, she began taking short walks around the Sanctuary.
Her cane was carved from the sacred kapok tree in the cathedral gardens, sigils etched by Señora Behike to strengthen her steps. She moved carefully; a sudden laugh or too-fast pace sent sharp aches through her chest.
Niegal, however, began to avoid her.
The rage and fear inside him made him feel unworthy of being near her, but Elena didn't know that. She thought he'd grown tired of waiting for her to recover.
So she stayed away, too.
They stopped sharing a bed.
Phineus stayed close to his mother, noticing every time she cried herself to sleep. She didn't think he knew. He always did. And he always hugged her tighter the next morning.
Weeks passed like this, and Elena began to lose hope in her marriage.
Guabancex whispered to her in quiet moments:
Go see Coatriskie.
Elena ignored the goddess for as long as she could. The dream she'd had of him, the man in the river, still clung to her.
Jaime Coana.
She avoided the healer's hut to keep from seeing him. It worked… until the gods decided it would not.
It happened in the market.
Elena walked beside Aurora, a basket of flowers and ripe fruit in her arms while Aurora inspected a nearby stall for new shears and ribbons.
She wasn't watching her path when someone collided with her. The jolt sent her stumbling; her cane clattered to the ground, and pain bloomed in her chest.
The man reached for her before she fell, his hands steady and warm as he helped her up.
"I'm terribly sorry, Señora. My mind is elsewhere today." His voice was light, a quick smile following the words.
Aurora turned at the sound but stopped short, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched them.
Elena adjusted her basket and nodded. "It's fine, thank you, " She froze, cursing herself. "Jaime."
The name slipped out before she could stop it.
Jaime's brow furrowed. "Do I… know you, my lady?"
Elena laughed softly despite herself, eyes glinting. "So to speak. I saved your life, after all."
A pause. Then his grin widened, and he bowed low, far too low for her comfort. "Then I owe you more than I can repay, my lady."
"Please, stop. It's fine," she said, flustered, waving her hand.
But his voice changed. Lower. Warmer. Not his at all.
I'm so glad to have found you, my goddess.
Elena's chest tightened. Her heart raced.
Guabancex answered from within her:
I couldn't let you die again. Not when I could help this time.
Their eyes locked, both startled by what they'd just heard, what they'd just felt.
"If you're the vessel of Guabancex- " Jaime began.
Elena bit her lip, gave a single nod, and turned away, walking off as fast as her pain would allow.
Damn you, stubborn snake, she hissed at her goddess.
The goddess only chuckled.
Jaime stood in the market, breathless, unsure if he should follow.
"She's… Elena Matteo," he murmured, his gaze unreadable.
Elena reached a bench and lowered herself down, fighting for breath.
"Damn it," she muttered, clutching at her aching chest.
Aurora knelt beside her. "Let's get you home."
Elena nodded, grateful for the excuse.
Jaime watched them go, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Inside him, Coatriskie stirred:
Go after her.
Jaime shook his head and walked in the opposite direction.