“Again? Do You always have to come at awkward times?”
You just admitted it.
“Admitted – oh, yeah.”
Mm-hmm. Oh, yeah. I told you – well, no, I asked you if you would be able to do it. And you’ve said no.
“Can we go over this another t – ?”
No. Do not play games with me, Graden.
“So what should I do, then?”
...Graden, do you remember, in the Scripture, when I commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son as a test of faith to Me?
“Of course…”
Then you will also remember that I stopped him before he did it. Because it was only a test of faith. This is of a similar sort, but you cannot rest assured that you know the outcome.
“So I should stop loving her?”
That’s not what I said, Graden. Indeed, it shows you love her all the more that you release her when the time does come.
“But…but…”
You shall gain the wisdom you need at the time you need it. Expect nothing more or less.
“But, God, I…?”
...
“God?”

~

Emilia stood over me, frowning down in concern.

I sighed. “I’m fine.”