Blackwater Islands still clutching at moons and echoes and emptiness and shadow

The rare show of emotion from Kalika caught Akantha a bit off guard, but it only spurred her to embrace her tighter. They stood like this for a moment, as the waves crested and crashed into the shore, and the wind rustled the nettles of the firs. Akantha sighed as she released the Adept, and nosed her cheek as she pulled away. By all rights, she considered Kalika her own child—she would never admit it, but she truly loved the young woman, despite the differences in their virtues. 

With a flick of her ear, she looked down the beach, then back to her friend. "I'm starving," she remarked suddenly, "care to join me?"