A marriage is a difficult thing to get started even when it begins traditionally, with time for both sides to get used to the idea. It is even more difficult when it happens suddenly, as if on a whim, between two people who live in different cities.
All that being said, I think it is going well between Gabrielle and Nick. She drives down to see him on weekends, and they talk every day, working out plans to come. They have already found an apartment and will be moving in early November—Nick is taking the rest of the semester off, and he will pick up again at Gabrielle’s school in the spring. They are happy in one another, and I am pleased by the way Gabrielle’s spirit seems to be settling down into this partnership. It is not the wild, passionate love she has dreamed of in the past, but it is more than enough to sustain her.
Still, she does get restless. This evening she got a late start from work, and the stress of the day made it difficult for her to stay seated, even in a car. She stopped twice on her way to Nick’s house, first for a quick dinner, then at a gas station, though her tank was still half full. Having filled it anyway, she went into the store and looked at the colorful displays of chips and candies, brooding to herself.
I kept one wing at her back as she wandered the store. “You knew that this would not be easy,” I reminded her. “And it is not just the driving and the distance and the first month’s rent. You have to put your trust in someone else, to give him a part of you that no one else can touch. It is not easy for someone like you, who has always been so independent.”
The bell at the door rang, and two men came into the store. Gabrielle glanced up, but she didn’t really see them.
“It is frightening to trust,” I agreed with her thought. “But worth it, yes?”
“Hey, beautiful,” said one of the men, pausing at the end of the aisle Gabrielle was in. “Haven’t seen you around here before.”
“Come on, smile, girl, it can’t be that bad,” said his friend, grinning.
Gabrielle gave them a cold look and turned her back.
“Oh, ouch!” said one of the men, laughing. “That’s not very nice.” He started down the aisle towards her, reaching out.
Gabrielle twitched away from his hand, turning a glare on him now. “Leave me alone,” she said.
“Well, that’s taught you, Rick,” the other man laughed. “Yeah, leave the poor girl alone.” He went to put his arm around her, and I could see he hoped to brush his fingertips across her breast.
This time I added my glare to Gabrielle’s, spreading my wings and setting my hands on their foreheads. “This woman is protected,” I declared. “Leave her be.”
It surprised me to see quick flares of fear rise up in their spirits—I have made my presence known to humans before, but never before in such a way. The emotion lasted only a moment, and they both dismissed it as nonsense, but it was certainly there. Rolling their eyes, they walked away, and I went back to reassuring Gabrielle.
As she was leaving the store, we met Inca, who was looking at me strangely. “What is it?” I asked her. “Is there danger?”
“I thought there was, but it seems I was wrong,” she said. “You did well.”
This puzzled me, for I had done little enough. “Whatever I did, I learned from you.”
“Perhaps,” she said with a strange smile. “I will leave her in your care, then, Asa’el. Guard her well.”
And she left again. I was not certain what she meant, but I made sure to stay with Gabrielle until she had arrived safely. She found Nick asleep on the couch, having dozed off waiting for her. She woke him with a kiss, and then all was well. All will be well, I think, but I will be certain to keep a close guard on her heart, until she can give it securely into Nick’s keeping.