Be careful what you wish for
Jess is growing into a woman, but she doesn't have the first idea what that actually means. Feelings she doesn't understand trouble her waking hoursand haunt her dreams as well. Her feelings for Gedeaddon confuse her. Not that it matters. He would never look at her that way, nor would any other man. Convinced she's unattractive, she doesn't dare reveal her heart's secrets to him.
Old habits are hard to break
Gedeaddon can't see himself as worthy of Jess, despite his intense feelings for her, which are apparent to everyone else. But he's a stubborn man. And he knows someday Jess will find someone, and then his life will be meaningless.
Their journey continues, but not everything is what it seems. Jess gains that which she most greatly desires, but at what cost? A stranger's arrival awakens dormant desiresbut who are they really for?