บท 97: Chapter 97: Forgiven

Why did her gentleness push more tears to the surface? I stood helpless, knowing I could comfort my son if he needed it, but allowing him to face the woman who stole him from me, who forced his little body to grow faster than it should have, who triggered the wakening of his incredible power. I could tell he knew right away who she was, the recognition in him not the startled, angry or frightened response I was expecting. Instead, Gabriel smiled at her.

"Ameline," he said. "I'm glad you're all right."

She laughed and my heart did, too. Though my daughter watched the soul of Ameline Benoit with suspicion borne of her natural state of being, Gabriel immediately crossed to the spirit and offered one hand. Ameline sank to her knees and for the first time I saw her own tears glitter on her cheeks as her full, lower lip trembled.

"You forgive me, then," she said, barely a whisper that carried to me in the quiet of the chamber.

"Of course," my son said. "There's nothing to forgive."