Luke and Jessia left us, conversing in a hushed whisper about whatever the Apostle of Secrets extracted from the Father.
"That went rather well," she remarked, gazing after the departing apostles.
I nodded, letting out a soft sigh. "I was afraid he'd say no."
"What?" She chuckled, shaking her head. "There's no way he could have done that. Not if he's serious about beating the church."
"No, didn't you hear him? He didn't want me to be with him," I said, staring at my feet. "I'm just too weak, and I can't--"
"Oh, Xiviyah," she chided, shaking her head, "Did you think he said that because he hated you? I think it's quite the opposite."
"But I--"
