Page 114 of Suncatcher

Pearl scrambled forward and threw her arms around her mother, forgetting about the wound and squeezing too tight. “Thanks, Ma.”

“Go on, then. Go.”

Driz pressed her hands over her ears.

It was the third night of Pearl calling. No matter how far Driz flew, the sound traveled to her, her name on Pearl’s lips.

Sometimes the calls were mournful. Sometimes they sounded angry. Frustrated. They would pause for a brief time and start back up.

Driz tried to be strong. But Pearl wanted her. Needed her. She was hurting herself attempting to reach Driz. The strain altered her voice, her calls growing scratchier. Driz wouldn’t allow Pearl to hurt herself.

So Driz gave in to the desire to speak to her again.

Pearl jumped when Driz landed in the ravine, as if not expecting her to. And that broke Driz’s heart all the more.

“You came,” Pearl croaked, reaching.

Driz resisted for one more moment. But when Pearl stumbled, instinct took over and she stepped forward, steadying her. And she was lost. Lost for Pearl. She always would be.

Pearl threw herself against Driz’s front, burying her face in her neck and threading her fingers into Driz’s hair. Driz savored each breath. Each part of her that got to touch Pearl again.

“Driz…”

“Hush,” Driz soothed, running her unworthy hand up and down Pearl’s back.

“We need to talk.”

“We will. But not yet. Do not strain your throat more.”

Pearl pressed closer. Driz closed her wings and simply held her as Pearl’s racing heart slowly gentled against her own.

“Is your mother healing?” Driz asked. It had been weighing on her. She’d almost returned to check the previous nights.

“She should make a full recovery. Thanks to you.”

“I am glad.”

“Are you?” Pearl pulled back enough to look into Driz’s eyes.

“Of course I am.”

“Even after everything she’s done?”

Driz cupped Pearl’s cheek. “She is your mother. Losing her would make you sad.”

Tears clung to Pearl’s eyelashes. “Losing you would make me sad too. When you left, it hurt so much.”

Driz’s chest constricted. “I did not know how to stay.”

“It’s alright.” Pearl pressed their lips together. “You came back. And I can’t tell you how glad I am.”

Driz shivered at the touch of Pearl’s mouth. Pearl’s kiss deepened and became frantic, hands grasping.

“Wait,” Driz managed, and Pearl stilled. “How can you touch me after what I did?”

“After you saved me, and my mother?”

“I killed people. I bruised you.”