'Gia, wait!'
That's what Sage wanted to say, but the words died in his mouth as he watched her flee, the auburn hair he recognized swirling around her shoulders like she was riding the wings of the Goddess away from him—just as he had left her.
When he returned to the room where the meeting had adjourned, August was waiting for him with Evie heavy in her arms.
"When will you talk to her, Sage?" She asked quietly, her heart aching for her niece.
"Soon," he said, scoffing to himself afterward. Why was he prolonging it? "Luna, I just… How do I do it?"
"My wise Sage," August patted the side of his face. "You just need to be honest with her."
"Have you seen her?" He looked back at the door. "She is like a fierce, mighty fire goddess."
August chuckled. "She's not ten anymore."
"She certainly is not," he agreed, ruffling his own hair. "Although she was pretty fiery back then, too," he chuckled to himself.
