Her eyes widened, and she hesitated only a moment before coming inside. “Are you going to leave now?” she asked. “I’m afraid so.” “But—but where are you going?” Mira smiled to hide—or perhaps deny—her growing anxiety. “Far away,” she said, putting a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “Do you remember the temple?” Rina nodded wordlessly. “There’s a giant glass mountain next to it, where the land is covered in water. Aunt Nawal lives there, on a mountain surrounded by the sea. That’s where I’m going.” “But when will you come back?” A lump rose in Mira’s throat. Rina’s young eyes pleaded with her to stay, but after all that had happened, she knew that it would be impossible. “I’m not coming back, Rina,” she whispered. “I can’t.” Rina’s face scrunched up as if she would burst out crying at any moment. Instead, she buried her head in Mira’s shoulder. Mira wrapped her arms around her and held her close, consoling her without words. “I’m going to miss you,”
