Page 151 of The King is Dead
“Well, let’s just think about it… Strength is something that helps us feel safe, right?”
“Yes,” she breathed. “Gall is very strong.”
I nodded. “My Melek is as well. So we trust their strength to protect us. But… but that’s not the only kind of protection we need. We also have to have protected hearts. We have tofeelloved. You know that I love you, right?”
“Yes. And I love you. So much.”
“I know. I trust you to keep loving me, no matter what. And I will keep loving you.”
“Yes.”
“So, last time I had to leave, do you remember that we talked about how you could be sure that I loved you, even when I wasn’t close. Even when you didn’t feel strong? And that we could trust the purpose we were given, even when it was hard?”
Istral frowned, nodding slowly, which meant she was telling me what she thought I wanted to hear.
“Izzy,” I said quietly, leaning close, “Even when I’m gone, I love you. That will never stop. So… we have to trust in God’s plan—this is a hard and scary thing to face. But it’s going to bring us all to a place of peace where we can be together without fighting for it. So that makes it worth doing, even when it’s scary. It’s not just a scary feeling to run from. It’s a mountain to climb. Because the view from the top will bebeautiful.”
My sister lifted her eyes from the steaming cup between her palms to my face. “But Lani… what if you die? If you die, the mountain wasn’t worth it.”
“That’s why you need to pray for us while we’re gone. Every day. Every time you feel worried, talk to God. Because even if you don’t know where we are, or what’s happening. He does. And He’ll listen to you—and He’s strong, Izzy. So strong. Look what happened last time! I was in very grave danger, but I remained safe and came home to you. Let’s pray and ask God to do that again.”
My sister, ever the obedient, thought I’d meant we pray together, right then, so she nodded and bowed her head and closed her eyes.
“Dear God, I am very scared of Lani and Gall leaving me here while they go away. Please keep her safe. Please keep Gall safe. Please bring them both back very soon. And safe.”
“And Melek, too,” I whispered.
Istral nodded. “And Melek too. Please don’t let them get hurt or sick. And please keep those awful dangerous people away from them. Thank you, God, amen.”
My heart squeezed when Istral took a deep breath, then let it out. “I feel a little bit less scared now.”
“Good. Then you keep doing that while we’re gone—and I’m going to pray for you every day while we’re gone, too.”
“No! Lani, no—not for me. I’m here and safe! Pray foryou.”
God, my sister was such a gift. I smiled, blinking back tears because she’d touched my heart. “Of course,” I whispered, leaning in to hug her. “Of course, that’s what I meant.”
56. A Good Man
~ MELEK ~
“Let the girls talk without us, Son,” I said, holding Gall back from following Istral. But he was trembling with tension, his eyes never leaving her back as Yilan led her out to the verandah.
“She needs me. She’s very scared and I help her.”
“I know. And I’m very glad that you and Istral have… such a good friendship,” I said carefully. “But right now, she needs to talk to her sister. So let’s give them some time alone.”
But Gall’s head snapped towards me and his brows pinched together in a frown. “It’s easy for you. You don’t have to say goodbye to yours! You get to take her with you!”
I took a deep breath, keeping a hand on his shoulder in case he decided to race out there and interrupt the girls. “I know it seems that way, Gall. But I assure you, Istral will be far safer than Yilan in the next few weeks.”
Gall’s frown deepened and he looked back towards the girls, now sitting at the table, huddled close to each other. He gave a weighty sigh. “Why does it always have to be like this?” he growled.
I looked at him. “Like what?”
“I can never just do what Iwantto do. Istral is the best person I ever met. And she loves me! She trusts me! She says I make her safe!” he said proudly, his eyes dark and challenging me to refuteit. But I wouldn’t. I was only aching because it touched me so deeply that Yilan’s sister saw Gall’s goodness.
“You do make her safe, Gall,” I said roughly, clearing my throat. “And I’m very glad that she loves you.”
