Page 21 of 1000 of You
“Both.Sometimes I stay where I am, and he finds me. Or he stays where he is, and I goin search for him. It depends upon what his gods and the Ancient Mother need usto do.”
“And itdoes not take long for this to meeting to happen?”
“Not long.It happens soon after we awaken.”Govatilted herhead at the woman. “Why do you believe me?”
Foca’ssmile grew warmer. “Because when you spoke to me,the despair in your voice was too raw. And when I looked into your eyes, I nolonger saw my Minna. There is someone else in there. A soul that is trapped bytime. The body remains the same, but the spirit within has changed. Tell me,how do you know when you have found each other?”
“I do not knowhow it is possible, but our appearances never changed. The way you see me nowis how I looked more than a hundred lifetimes ago.” Taking the old woman’s handin her own, she gently squeezed it. “Foca, I cannottell you how wonderful it feels to be able to tell someone about our plight.Thank you.”
“One morething, my Minna who isGova. When you die, will mygranddaughter also die?”
Govabit her lower lip and nodded. “Yes. I am sorry.”
The womanpatted her hand. “Do not be. It is the will of the Almighty.”
Foca’stone sparked something inside her, andGovaventured to ask one more question. “Are you…asorceress, too?”
The elderlywoman cackled. “I have been called many things, but sorceress is not one ofthem.”
Someonecalled outFoca’sname. She waved a greeting at thewoman, who came over to exchange pleasantries. Leaving the two alone,Govagot to her feet and scanned the crowd.
There wasvery little she could expect whenever she awoke in her new life. Other thantheir coming to, their meeting, and their immediate deaths, the rest was acomplete mystery. She couldn’t foresee how she andMuamwould die. If there was anything to be grateful for, it was that her death, andshe prayed the same held forMuam, was quick.However, it was not without pain.
A faceappeared in the distance, briefly seen in a parting in the crowd.Govagasped and remained perfectly still, until she wascertain she had not been imagining it. WhenMuamcameback into sight, she could tell he was searching for her. His head swiveledaround, and his golden eyes lit up when he spotted her.
She ran tohim, arms wide open to embrace him. He swept her up, twirling her around inrelief. They didn’t speak. They let their kiss speak for them as the peopleswarmed past them, unconcerned about the couple clinging to each other.
Muamcontinued to brush her cheek and forehead with hislips as he lowered her until her feet touched the ground. “Gova.MyGova. My belovedGova.”
“You mustbeMuam.”
Stunned,Govafelt his embrace tighten. Opening her eyes, she lookedover at whereFocastood an arm’s length away. Theold woman’s smile was warm, even though tears glittered on her weathered face.
“How…”
“I told herabout us,”Govaquickly explained to him. “She knowsabout the curse.”
He frownedslightly. “Why did you tell her?”
“What harmwould it cause? We are not long for this life. I am in such deep sadnesswhenever I awaken, I needed comfort. I needed someone to confide in. In thislife, I amFoca’sgranddaughter. She has the right toknow.”
Muampressed another kiss between her eyes, then turned tothe old woman. “Thank you,Foca, for providing mybeloved with some surcease.”
“That isnot all I can provide,” the old woman said, and gestured for them to followher. She led them into a short alleyway, out of the main hustle and bustle.Once they were in a more private area,Focafacedthem. “Allow me this final act before you leave this life. Please kneel.”
Withoutquestioning why, they did as requested.Govawatchedas the old woman reached out and placed a hand on her andMuam’sheads.
“I choselate in my own life to follow the teachings of my lord and savior. I am anabbess, and I will bless your union and make it sacrosanct.Gova,Muam, given what you have endured, and for what youstill must endure, I give you the one thing you have been deprived of. Ipronounce you husband and wife, and I pray that your souls find eternalhappiness when you finally reach the end of your journey.”
Grabbingher hand,Muamkissed the thin wrist. “Thank you,Foca. Thank you. I wish there was some way we could repayyou.”
Focamade a disparaging sound. “You have already paid me bygiving me something I have always been lacking.”
“What isthat?”Govawhispered.
“Hope. Andlove. I have seen too little of it, but you two have quenched my thirst.”
Govalooked toMuam, her chintrembling as the realization crystallized. “We are married. We are married, myhusband!”
