“Shall we head back inside?” Mid asked, and I giggled good-naturedly as we stood from the picnic blanket.
“I think that’s probably a good idea.”
THAT NIGHT I found it particularly hard to sleep. With everyone already in bed, and the cottage cozily quiet, I carefully escaped to the front room.
The fire still hadn’t extinguished, and I was enjoying its flickering remains. Fear of nightmares kept me awake. I didn’t want to dream about the river and almost drowning or the black-eyed Obscurum captain that wanted my life.
My eyes scanned the room, rebelliously refusing to shut. I studied the sharp points of the swords on the stone wall above the fireplace mantel and the intricate spines of a set of books pressed into some wooden shelves. It was all just to keep my mind busy until I spotted an instrument lying hidden behind a stack of blankets, carelessly folded atop each other. It looked to be a guitar.
Curiously, I took the stringed instrument from its resting place and set it on my knee. Gently I caressed the neck of the guitar, admiring the beautiful pale wood, and brassy strings.
“Still awake I see.”
The unexpected voice startled me, and I quickly turned to see Mid standing in the doorway.
“Mid, you scared me!” I accused, giving him an irritated glare, my heart racing.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said simply. His emerald-scarlet eyes zeroed in on the instrument I had propped in my lap.
“What are you looking at?” he asked, coming over to sit on the sofa beside me. I couldn't help the nervous flutter that erupted in my stomach.
“Just an old guitar,” I said, trying to act nonchalant as I plucked one of the strings softly.
“Do you play?” Mid asked.
“Absolutely not. Music is not a talent of mine.” I turned to look at him and noticed he was staring at the instrument, an unreadable expression on his face. “Do you?” I pressed.
I could see him hesitate beside me before reluctantly reaching over and grabbing the instrument and pulling it onto his lap. He paused for a brief second, then seemed to find his courage, and began plucking at the strings. His skills seemed a little rusty at first, but after a few minutes he was playing a melody that was soft and soothing.
“So you do play. . .” I mumbled, watching him and the elegant way his fingers toyed with the strings.
“Just a little,” he replied. He seemed to be embarrassed and the curiosity inside me burned brighter.
“Do you sing too?” I guessed, and his immediate silence answered my question. “Will you sing for me?” I didn’t want to embarrass him further, but I was too interested now.
“I’m not a good singer. It's just something I do for fun.”
I’d never seen him so bashful, and it was kind of endearing. I smiled, thinking if he really was that bad he could always just create an illusion and I would never really know how bad he was.
“Humor me,” I said.
He sighed heavily. “If I sing for you, will you go to sleep?”
I thought about it for a second and then nodded my head. I settled back into the cushions and proceeded to close my eyes, waiting. I heard him take a deep breath and fidget for a moment. Then he began to sing.
Close your eyes, child oh child.
You are not alone.
You're safe here in my arms.
Rest your head.
Child oh child.
Mid’s voice was silky and deep, reminding me of honey in a cup of hot morning tea. The gentle lullaby began and almost instantly commenced me into an even more peaceful and relaxed state.
The sun will rise, the sun will rise. Let the sun rise, let it rise.
Rest your head, child oh child.
You are not afraid. You're brave here in my arms.
Memories of safe and pleasant times came drifting into my head. The words cooed tenderly off his tongue, soothing my troubled mind.
A blissful sleep tugged at the corners of my consciousness and Mid’s voice gradually faded, blending seamlessly with the colors of my dreams.
The sun will rise, the sun will rise.
Let the sun rise, let it rise.
You are not alone.
You’re safe here in my arms.
TWELVE
I didn’t have anything to wear to the festival the next night, so Liony thought it best to go shopping in the Ethydon village. It was important to her that I was dressed appropriately for the celebration, and despite me telling her I could go as I was, she wasn’t having it.
“It’s the winter festival, Ehren. You have to let me pick out a dress for you,” Liony said earnestly.
For some reason, I just couldn’t say no. I was reluctant to crush her enthusiasm, especially because she had been so nice to me.
“If it means that much to you, Liony, I guess we can go into town,” I said, and her excited squeal could be heard throughout the house.
“Oh thank you, thank you! I promise you won’t regret it!” She jumped excitedly around the kitchen, her ebony curls and pink flouncy dress she was sporting for the festival, bouncing with each step she took.
Mid and Shar were quickly alerted of Liony’s plan to get me a dress for the festival and before I knew it, I was walking outside into the winter morning. The boys were waiting for us, already formally dressed for the occasion.
“How far is the village?” I asked Mid, as I went to stand beside him.
He had changed out of his everyday attire.—Beneath his brown cloak he wore black evening pants and a white tunic. His hair was slicked back from his face, the curly locks precisely combed into perfect little waves. The sight of him dressed so formally was new, and I had to admit it took my breath away for a moment.
“Not too far. Are you okay to walk?” he asked, worriedly looking down at my bruised arm and leg.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” My injuries were feeling slightly better, and I was walking with only a little discomfort.
Liony started up ahead on the trail with Shar, who still didn’t show much emotion even after days of having a chance to warm up to me. Mid and I followed behind, positioned close enough that every once in a while our shoulders would brush. There wasn’t much talking, Liony would make an excited comment here and there, but for the most part, it was silent. I didn’t mind the lack of conversation. I enjoyed the quiet scenery. The vast pine trees reminded me of days back at the castle and traveling through the woods to my tree house.
The forest scenery passed in the corners of my vision and slowly dispersed until we reached a small hillside. It was mid-afternoon when we reached the city, and the streets were already bustling with people.
Ethydon was different from Aveladon in that it was much smaller. Aveladon had a variety of cities and villages and was known for its massive population and supply of goods. While Ethydon had one main city and a couple outskirt towns. Ethydon hadn’t been a kingdom as long as the others that had dissented from Aveladon. It was only in the last twenty years that they began to establish. The buildings weren’t very tall and were placed on cobblestone streets. Each house was made of precious wood and intricate red bricks. Dainty brown and green flags were strung from house to house, fluttering in the breeze. It was charming, and much less daunting than being in the great city of Asmede.
When we came upon the square, the festivities had yet to begin, but the crowds were already beginning to form. Liony took my hand and pulled me from Mid’s side. He didn’t seem alarmed, so I let her lead me ahead through the crowds of people. It wasn’t long until we came upon the dress shop. It was a feeble store front, with battered old window shutters, and a charming wire sign painted carmine red. The masonry bricks were chipping from wear, and an enthusiastic ivy plant was growing up through the cracks and crevices.
Liony quickly pulled me inside after her and didn’t hesitate to begin her search. The ring of the bell sounded on the door when the boys entered behind us, and I could hear their muffled conversation as we began to browse.
<
br /> The shop was filled with beautiful gowns, tulle skirts and silk bodices sparkling at every turn. My eyes had a hard time focusing on one thing.
“I have just the dress. . .” Liony said excitedly, her fingers skimming the fabrics as we walked. I followed behind, not nearly as delighted about the shopping. I found my eyes wandering past the fancy gowns and over to Mid, standing with Shar near the front counter. A woman stood behind it, seeming to be the owner.
I watched them politely say hello and immediately noticed the woman blush from the attention. Mid and Shar were both very handsome young men. Any women would be blind not to have a reaction to them. I continued my steady pace through the store, my eyes flickering every once in a while over to the three of them talking. I don’t know why, but for some reason the way Mid was making the store woman laugh was making me feel bitter inside. His witty, sarcastic charm was something I felt had been intimately shared with me. For some reason I didn’t like that he was so willingly conversing with her.
“You like him don’t you?”
I jumped at the voice, having gotten lost in my secret gazing and turned to see Liony with several dresses in each hand. She must have noticed I had fallen behind.
“Me? No. I don’t like Mid. I barely know him.” I stumbled on my words, trying to refute her accusation. “I’m not even Stone-Hearted,” I said awkwardly.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Liony asked, her brow furrowing.
“I don’t look like the Stone-Hearted. They’re perfect, and beautiful. Plus I’m sure he already has a plethora of girls vying for his attention. He probably wouldn’t have the same fascination with someone as ordinary as me.”
“So you do like him?” she said, her gray eyes scrutinizing me.
“I just said I don’t!” I argued back.
“You said he probably doesn’t have the same fascination. You do like him!” She was nearly jumping up and down now. I gave her a pointed look and motioned for her to calm down, so we didn’t draw unwanted attention to ourselves.
“Liony, quiet down. They might hear you!” I whispered.
I pulled her over to a set of dressing rooms, away from the view of the front counter.
“That’s too bad because I’ve never seen Mid look at anyone like the way he looks at you,” she said simply, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. My eyes widened, but I didn’t let her see. Instead I snatched a dress from one of her hands and headed for the dressing rooms.
“I think I better start trying these on,” I said hurriedly, needing to escape the situation.
She followed after me, handing me the dresses over the curtain door. She had me display each and every dress, until we found one we both agreed on. It was a pearl colored gown, with oyster gray beads sewn delicately onto the shoulders and waist. It hugged my hips and draped down to the very edge of my ankles, where it met with a modest slit.
“It’s perfect. Just one more thing.” Liony disappeared behind a stand of dresses and returned moments later, her hands behind her back. With a dramatic flip of her hands, she let the fabric unroll revealing a grey shawl. It matched the dress precisely; its edges trimmed with elegant white fur. She draped it over my shoulders and stepped back to admire her work. “Just what I imagined,” Liony said proudly.
I looked at the gown and shawl in the mirror and couldn’t help but feel beautiful. But, it was a short lived admiration because I realized I had nothing to buy the items with. I felt my heart sink in my chest. I hadn’t been accustomed to such a life where I had to pay for things. In the castle everything was mine, and it seemed anything I could ever want or need was at my fingertips.
“I love it, Liony, but I can’t pay for it.”
“It’s already paid for,” a voice said behind me.
Mid joined my reflection in the mirror, an unreadable expression on his handsome face. I turned around at his sudden presence, appalled he was listening in on our conversation.
“I can’t let you. . .” I began to protest, but Mid held up his hand to silence me.
“It’s already done. Can’t you just enjoy it?”
I was about to fight him, but he began walking toward me and I suddenly got very nervous. His eyes were blatantly and unashamedly looking me up and down. In the midst of his gawking, I was helpless, and instantly blushed.
“You’re so difficult,” I said, folding my arms across my chest. He was very close now, and I looked around for Liony, only to find she had somehow slipped away. I was alone, with Mid, hidden behind the rows of dresses, no one else in sight.
“I know,” he said fearlessly, reaching out to touch the fur edge on my shawl. “You look beautiful,” he deflected, and his compliment made my heart patter like April rain.
“Well, you don’t look too bad yourself,” I replied, unable to stay my frustration with his charming flattery.
“Are you ready to go to the festival now?” he asked, holding out his arm to me. I took it, while taking in a deep preparatory breath.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
It was a matter of maybe an hour, but the entire city had changed. It was early evening now, and the streets had erupted with festivities. There were lights and people everywhere. Lanterns hung from the Ethydon flags and graced every house that lined the cobblestone paths. All the Stone-Hearted were dressed in beautiful gowns and brown cloaks. There were booths set up selling food and sweet-smelling treats. Children wandered about, playing childish games, chasing each other, and laughing rambunctiously.
I gazed in awe as we walked, taking it all in, reminding myself that somehow I wasn’t dreaming. I had hold of Mid’s arm, and he was gently guiding me through the crowds of people. I could feel his eyes on me as we walked, watching my reaction.
“Something else isn't it?”
“It’s incredible. I’ve never been to a festival like this,” I said.
Being able to participate in a city festival back in Aveladon would have been impossible. It was a rarity to be amongst the common people, let alone their festivities.
Walking freely through the Ethydon streets, I had the liberating thought that I wasn’t the princess here. I was unbound, free from the royal title, and it felt amazing.
We weaved through the crowded town square, past more colorful booths until finally one caught Mid’s eye.
“You have to try a lemming cake. They are the best treats made during the festival,” Mid insisted.
We came to a booth, and the line going toward it was extremely long. We pulled up the rear, and after a while of waiting, it was finally our turn. Shar and Liony ordered for all of us, handing a man with large shoulders and a thick black beard several gold coins.
“Enjoying the festival, Liony?” the man asked.
“Isn't everyone, Geo? I mean look at this place–it’s incredible!” she replied bubbly.
Geo folded a bag of something steaming, letting off delicious aromas, and passed it to Liony with a friendly smile. “Enjoy the lemming, and have fun tonight,” he said kindly.
She winked at the baker while taking the treat. “We will. Farewell Geo!”
Liony led us toward a couple benches by the large fountain towering in the center of the square. She unrolled the treats she had bought and handed us all a doughy, bread thing. The treat was red like blood and seemed to be sprinkled with white sugar. I stared at it skeptically for a moment until Mid gave me a gentle nudge.
“It's delicious, I promise.”
I looked up into his captivating Stone-Hearted eyes and felt my heart skip in my chest. My cheeks went red like the pastry I was holding and quickly to hide my face, I took a big bite of the bread. My eyes widened as the sweet, honey textured treat, coated my mouth. I looked first at Mid, then Liony, and lastly at Shar. They all hadn’t taken a bite yet and were smiling widely at me. Even Shar had a small smile on his lips waiting to see my reaction.
“This. . .this is amazing!” I exclaimed in surprise.
“Isn't it?” Liony giggled, nibb
ling on her piece.
We all went quiet as we ate our delicious pastries. The buzz of the festival filled the couple of minutes we didn't speak. It took all my effort not to eat the sweet bread in one single bite.
Once we all were finished, Mid stood from the bench and held out his arm to me.
“It’s time to buy a boat,” Mid said simply and my forehead scrunched in confusion.
“A boat?” I asked, while placing my hand in the crook of his arm. “You’ll see.”
We walked through the crowds and stopped at a red tent selling merchandise. Many people had flocked beneath the claret flaps, huddled busily inside. I couldn’t see what all the fuss was about until I saw a little boy come barreling free from the hordes of people, a wooden boat in his hands.“What are they for?” I asked, as we carefully squeezed our way into the tent walls.
“They’re for the Wish Pond. The king of Ethydon is a water wielder, and for the king and queen's first wedding anniversary, he made the city fountain for her.” Mid pointed to the big fountain erected in the middle of the square. Its bursting streams cascade down a thin rivulet into a larger pond of water. People, huddled around the edges of the pool, watching their boats sail down the stream. “As you can see, the water from the fountain runs down into the pond. During the festival, people throw in their boats and make a wish.”
Mid guided us to a display of wooden boats, less busy than the others. Shelves of the handcrafted sailboats were arranged by all different types of woods, shapes, and sizes. I reached out and pulled one off its display stand and carefully began analyzing it.
“Is that the one you want?” Mid asked, seeing I had grabbed it from the shelf. The wooden boat was made of light birch with intricate lines and designs carved into the body. The sails were painted with a mixture of blues and reds, creating a swirl of bright colors.
“It’s beautiful,” I admitted. He gently took it from me and handed it to the man who was selling the boats.
Granted (Granted Series Book 1) Page 9