She began to sing, and from my peripheral vision, I saw Prisca and Vincent lean forward very slightly, pulled toward her in a way I’d seen others react as well. The song was filled with soul and sadness, and I knew immediately it was one of her originals. Or maybe I’d heard it long before, floating on the breeze and mingling with the scent of citrus.

Did you hum it once, Emily? When you were just a girl, your head full of musical dreams?

She met my eyes through the flames, and I felt a lump form in my throat. I felt briefly hypnotized by the fire and the music, my heartbeat growing loud in my ears. The moment felt ancient and new, and scary in some way I couldn’t even define. And yet despite all my churning emotions, I couldn’t look away.

I was captured, by her beauty, but mostly by her spirit, and maybe it was me or maybe it was her, but I hadn’t seen her shine like this even when she was outfitted in sequins and glitter. She’d shrugged off the nails and the hair and the shimmery makeup, and yet somehow, she glowed all the brighter for it.

I was falling… God, it had happened quickly. Or maybe it had happened far too slowly. But either way, it made me feel both breathless and terrified. Like one of those ships floating alone in uncharted water.

Emily tipped her head slightly as though she’d sensed the minute change in my demeanor as I’d realized the depth of my feelings for her.

The night had descended, and a trillion stars blanketed the sky, the moon sitting on Emily’s shoulder as though it too was leaning in to listen. Her voice was rich and velvety and though I didn’t look around—couldn’t pull my eyes from her—I knew everyone else was as awestruck as me.

Every corner holds a story, every room a memory

Now the silence only echoes with where you used to be

Can we ever be ourselves again in that perfect place and time

The wishes and the daydreams when your promises were mine

I’m searching for a way back to the place I used to know

Because happiness can crumble fast and pain goes oh so slow

In the loneliest spaces, where the darkest shadows gather

I’d find you there, and I’d stay if you’d rather

If I could go back, I’d find you in the dark

If I could go back, I’d find you in the dark

Later, as the fire began to die, our bellies full of marshmallows, Emily strummed one last chord, the quiet of the night falling flat in the wake of her dwindling voice. Prisca yawned and Martha smiled down at Ady, who had fallen asleep on her shoulder, a gentle smile on the young girl’s face.