Authors: Jamie McHenry
After a few bangs on walls, and a scream—I couldn’t tell from whom, the door creaked open.
“Hello, little ones.”
I smiled at the sound of Sean’s voice and tried my best not to look eager, but my desire overtook me; I peered around the corner. Sean stood in our doorway, neatly groomed and clean-shaven. Cael stood behind him, but I couldn’t take my eyes off my man.
He grinned and strode down the hall. “Hello, my beauty.”
My greeting caught in my throat and before I could answer, Sean pulled me close in an embracing hug. I knew that everyone was watching us, but I ignored them all and accepted his warmth as he spun me in a half-circle. When he let me down, I stumbled for a moment—I thought I heard Leila giggle—and sighed.
After welcoming hugs around the room—Cael offered them also, apparently calmed down from the other day—we chose seats around the large table. Sean and I sat delightfully close together on a bench. Earl offered Mother a large metal canister of his well water, which she accepted graciously. Then the feast began.
While most conversation around me was a muted chaos of words and laughing, I concentrated on Sean. I stared at him and said nothing for a few moments, savoring the clean, minty smell that hovered around him, until I thought of all the words we had missed sharing in his absence. At that, I spoke again, just to hear his voice answer me, and chatted with him casually. I didn’t want to discuss the details of our future life together, given our company, but I enjoyed even our talk of simple, everyday happenings.
Across from us, Nia sat next to Madeline and updated her with the details of her new friend from DarMattey. I eavesdropped attentively, hoping for a clue about her surprise. Their third sister, Sianna, had married a trader from DarMattey many years ago, and together they lived over the mountain with their two young children. Apparently, Thomas worked for Sianna’s husband, transporting store goods and grain. That was why he had come to Aisling before the celebration.
“When is the wedding?” asked Colin.
The question drifted to the back of my thoughts, until I noticed that everyone had stopped talking. Sean prodded me in the ribs with a finger.
I looked up and answered without reflection. “When it’s warm,” I said. I had never wanted a wedding during Moon Season. “And before the Solstice,” I added, hoping to calm Sean’s probable concern of my response; he had indeed, just risked his life to make the marriage possible.
“I think that’s an excellent choice,” said Colin. He pulled Madeline close to his side into a hug. “Spring weddings are magical.”
Sean responded with the same embrace and I leaned on his shoulder. Something bumped me from the opposite side, making me turn to look. It was Cael, who was exiting the table. In the flurry of the feast, I hadn’t noticed him next to me.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his face blushing. “Please, excuse me.”
I smiled back, returned my head to Sean’s warm shoulder, and stared through the glass. Shadows crept into the field; dusk was approaching.
“Nia?” I asked casually. “Would you like to meet Maeia?”
Nia grinned back at me. “Yes!” In her enthusiasm, she almost yelled her answer. “Rhiannon, why don’t you take me outside?”
Still eager to hear her secret, and grateful that no one else requested to come along, I slipped out of Sean’s arms and escorted my best friend outside. We both ran to the stable.
Maeia was not among the group of horses mingling near the fence, but that wasn’t my real reason for leaving the party. I glanced back toward the warm orange glow of the dining room window. Everyone inside appeared comfortable and satisfied. I shivered and watched my breath escape to the dim violet landscape.
“Okay, Nia,” I said, confident that we would not be interrupted. “Tell me your secret.”
Nia peered back at the house and then pulled my hand. “It isn’t something I can tell you,” she whispered. “I have to show you. Come with me.”
I followed her to the far side of the stable. Nia searched behind her and then opened a silk cloth, revealing a green emerald the size of her palm. Even in shadow, it sparkled, and tiny lengths of moonlight caught its edges and reflected back to her face in flashes of brilliant green.
“Oh, your fortune!” I exclaimed, marveling at the treasure my friend had so casually revealed. “It’s astonishing.”
I traced my finger along thin golden lines, inlaid in a crossing pattern along one facet of the stone. “That’s not natural,” I said. “Where did you get this?”
Nia grinned. “I found it.” She handed the cloth and crystal to me. “Do you feel that?”
“It’s heavy.” I turned the emerald over in my hands; it was magnificent and warm; the golden lines added to its mystery. I touched them again before handing Nia her prize. “Where did you find it?”
Nia carefully wrapped it in silk and tucked it into her pocket. “Near the road through Aisling,” she said. “In the bushes, just a few days ago. I saw something sparkle in the light, and when I bent down to search, I found the crystal.” Nia peered around the stable. “It’s worth more than anything in the village.” Raised as a trader, Nia had learned to search the value in objects. It was her instinct to look for the best deal.
“Don’t sell it. Emeralds bring good fortune.” I touched her hand. “It’s a blessing upon you.”
“Unless it’s stolen,” said Nia.
Her words made the cold grip my arms. I withdrew my hand and wrapped my sleeves close to my body.
“Why do you say that?” I asked. My teeth suddenly chattered as I spoke. “You said that you found it.”
“I did.” Nia huddled close. “It isn’t from the village.” She paused. “And it doesn’t belong here. What if it has power? Maybe the bandit stole it from somewhere else.”
“You don’t know that,” I said. “It could have fallen off a passing trade wagon, or a traveler might have accidently dropped it. There’s no need to speak of treachery.” The night was creeping into my dress, making me shiver. “Have you shown it to your father?”
“No.”
“Show him the emerald,” I said. “He can help you.”
“If it
is
stolen, he’ll give it to the other Elders,” she said. “I don’t want to give it away. And I don’t want to add to the trouble.”
“What are you going to do?” I asked, shaking my head at her stubbornness.
“I don’t know,” said Nia. She pulled the cloth out of her dress pocket again and exposed the emerald’s edge. “It is unusual.”
“Yes, it is special,” I told her. “If you won’t tell your father, then keep it hidden. You don’t want to become a target of—” I winced at my own words. “—the bandit.”
A giant shudder overtook me and convinced me that we should go inside. I grabbed Nia by the arm and corralled her toward my home. Before we reached the back door, I stopped and turned to look at her. “I thought you were going to say something about Thomas,” I said, realizing that we might not get to speak in private for a while. “Has anything happened?”
Nia’s smile revealed a yes.
She reached for the door handle, but I stopped her arm. “Tell me more,” I said, eager to hear the details. My heart beat faster.
“It’s nothing too exciting,” she said. “He visits me once a week. We talk and I cook.”
I wondered what might be wrong with the man. Nia’s cooking needed work. No, it needed change. She was horrible in the kitchen.
I couldn’t lie to her. “Nia, I’m certain he doesn’t visit you for the cooking.”
“You’re right about that.” Nia grinned. “I am getting better, though.”
“What does he tell you? What do you talk about?” I was curious by now.
“Mostly, we talk about you,” she said, plainly.
“Me? What does the man say?”
Nia smiled. “I do most of the talking. Thomas does all of the listening. It’s pleasant.”
Her answer still bothered me. “Then—what do you tell him about me?” I leaned closer to her and peeked through the dining room window.
“I tell him everything.” Her voice was mischievous. Nia was always quick to tease.
I remained silent and waited.
“I talk about the Fae and our traditions,” said Nia. “He’s incredibly interested.”
I released a small sigh. “You could tell him about Madeline. Your sister has been a faerie longer than I have.”
Nia kept her smile and patted me gently on the shoulder. “I suppose I could. But you’re more interesting.”
I reached out and hugged her. Nia was a great friend. I always loved her honesty. Still, I wanted details of her talks with Thomas. Especially, since they were about me.
As she entered the house, Nia pointed toward the field. “A white horse. Sean actually found one?”
Maeia pranced across the dry grass, close to the fence, as if she expected us to be properly impressed her magnificence. She whinnied at us and nodded a polite greeting.
“Goodnight, Maeia,” I called loudly. “I’ll visit you in the morning.” I turned and followed Nia inside.
“Ai!” Father had raised his goblet in the air and was bellowing above the conversations. “That’s a drink.”
Through the smoky glow of the room, Cael stood next to Owen and grinned before dipping his goblet.
I loved my father, and respected our friends and neighbors, but I grew weary of hoping they would learn that there was more to life than what a bottle of ale could provide.
“Hello.” Sean grabbed my sides with two hands, startling me from behind.
I leaned back into him and gave a sigh of pleasure. His warm chest and his breath melted my neck and drained to my ankles.
“Sean,” I said, absorbing his welcome and the kiss on my cheek. He felt wonderful.
He stretched his arms around my stomach and pulled me closer. I accepted his embrace and stared absently at the glowing candles near the ceiling.
“Do I get a turn?” he asked.
I kept smiling. “Maybe. What do you want?” I teased.
“Only you,” he whispered. His warmth melted me again.
“It’s a crowded room.”
Sean nibbled on my ear. “I’m content to just talk if I can stand here and hold you all night.”
“I’ll let you.” I leaned closer, offering my warmth.
“Tell me again, when are we getting married?” Sean squeezed my waist.
I smiled. My earlier words
had
bothered him. “When would you like to make it final?”
“As soon as possible.”
I leaned my head back and sighed. “Where will we live?”
“If I’m with you, I’ll be happy,” he answered.
“As will I.” I kissed him on the cheek. “But there’s more to prepare than just a ceremony. That’s why I want to marry you when it’s warm. We’ll have forever after that.” I reached behind my head and stroked his smooth cheek gently with my fingers. I felt his shoulders shiver.
“I’ll marry you whenever you want.” Sean whispered softer.
“You would marry me right now,” I teased, “if my father would let you.”
As if he was listening, Father raised his goblet again and bellowed across the room. “Come on Sean, you can kiss in the corner another night. This is a celebration!”
Sean released one arm from around me and waved back. “I’m coming, Neal. Why don’t you all enjoy another drink on my behalf?”
His answer made all the men cheer.
I leaned back to draw him closer. “Are you going to get drunk?” I asked.
Sean remained motionless and supported my weight. He was still strong. “I want to remember every night with you,” he said. “I won’t waste my memories on ale.”
“Your brother says you enjoy drinking when I’m not around.” I didn’t look at him to pry, but tilted my head and waited for his answer.
“Cael is a fool and a liar, at times.” Sean didn’t bother to whisper.
“Sean, he’s your brother!”
He leaned close and whispered into my ear. “That’s why I know.”
I turned to scold him, but Sean kissed me on the cheek and pulled away, holding my hand until just our fingertips touched. We stood motionless for a long moment, reluctant to break contact, until Sean finally drifted toward the long table and the other men. He looked back at me, smiled, and disappeared into the welcome of grunts and slurred praises.
I turned back to the kitchen, noticing the grinning women who stood behind me. “Were you listening?” I asked.
Mother shook her head and covered her mouth, declining to answer, while Madeline gave a gentle smile that made my face feel warm.
“It’s wonderful to be in love,” said Madeline. “You look happy.”
“Thank you.” I noticed Colin standing next to her, and wiped the heat from my forehead. Although neighbors and friends for as long as I could remember, it felt awkward to have been caught teasing my love in their company. I looked away, embarrassed. Mother came and offered me a hug.
Throughout the evening, I drank warm cider with the women and Colin while the men continued to empty bottles of ale. Father had insisted on more than our two-bottle limit. True to his word, Sean rarely lifted a goblet to his lips.
As the night deepened, Leila disappeared to bed and Ethan stood in the corner with his head nodding, in an obvious attempt to stay awake with the rest of us. The jovial outbursts and jests from the men around the table turned to a low murmur as the conversation changed to a discussion about the bandit.