“He’s right; you’ll be fine.” She crossed the narrow hallway and entered the ballroom through the open doors.
Loud chatter drifted out from the ballroom. I strained to hear what was being said, but everything sounded garbled. More Romanies walked by, and then someone inside pounded a gavel and the conversation diminished. Uncle Henry nodded at me as he and two Elders entered the ballroom and closed the door.
I inhaled deeply several times, trying to calm my nerves. Soon, this virginity nonsense would be over and things could go back to being normal again. Well, as normal as it can be with a shapeshifter as a boyfriend.
“You’re awfully quiet,” I said to Victor, who stood staring at a framed flower painting on the opposite wall.
“There’s one important rule you must follow.” He rubbed his jaw as he turned to me and whispered, “Don’t lie. If the Elders catch you lying at a kris, you won’t be given a second chance. You must tell the truth.”
“I know.” I rolled my eyes, realizing he’d repeated the exact same words I’d heard earlier today. “Uncle Henry’s already told me this.”
He returned his focus to the framed picture. “There’s one more thing I have to ask. Have you and…Are you a virgin?”
“You can’t be serious.” I laughed, nudging Victor’s arm. “You’ve been watching me like a hawk. When could Kaleb and I have had sex?”
“Answer me, Sienna. Are you a virgin?”
“Of course, I am.” I folded my arms, waiting to hear any more ridiculous questions he might have. Was this Victor’s way of prepping me for the kris?
“Good.” He glanced at me. “Look, everyone knows Nadya wasn’t happy about yours and Ethan’s arranged marriage. It makes sense she’s made up this whole purity issue, but is there any chance she’s telling the truth? Did she see you with someone in the gazebo?”
“No way.” I had been alone with Kaleb in the gazebo, but she couldn’t have seen us. The wolves had heightened senses of hearing and smell. If anyone had been nearby, Kaleb would have known. Nadya didn’t want Ethan marrying me, so she’d made up a story to discredit me.
“But you’ve been alone with him?”
“Well…” I hesitated, thinking about the times Kaleb and I had hung out. We’d never been alone, except that one time on the boat, but I wouldn’t admit to that. “Kaleb’s never alone. You know that.”
The ballroom doors slowly eased open and a man appeared, motioning for us to enter. Victor led the way.
An oversized chandelier hung from the ballroom’s ceiling, making the room seem bright and the walls very white. Romanies sat in chairs lined up in several rows on the left and right of the room. I didn’t recognize a lot of the faces which explained all the out-of-state cars outside. A long black rubber mat lay on the natural-colored hardwood floors, running up the middle of the room and dividing the rows of chairs. At the front, double glass doors led to an outdoor veranda overlooking the lake.
Whispers erupted as Victor and I walked toward the Elders who sat at the main table near the double glass doors. In front of them stood two podiums—one on the left and one on the right.
Nadya sat in the front row on the left with Ethan and his parents, while Drina sat alone in the front row on the right. It took me a second to realize Uncle Henry had joined the Elders at the main table.
Victor stopped in front of the right podium and I stood next to him, trying my best to stand still and look calm.
“Relax. You have nothing to worry about,” Victor said.
“Quiet!” An Elder pounded the gavel, silencing the whispers in the room. “Victor, take your place next to your wife.”
As Victor sat down, I adjusted the microphone, grasped the top of the podium with both hands, and took several deep breaths. I didn’t want to be here, standing alone with everyone staring, and I hoped no one noticed how nervous I was. Victor had told me to relax, but how was I supposed to do that?
Breathe. Just breathe and tell the truth. You‘ve done nothing wrong.
One of the Elders held up a blue sheet of paper in one hand. “Sienna Whitfield, it has been brought before us that you were seen with another Romani boy while being courted by Ethan Istrati. You were seen with said boy by several witnesses. Unmarried girls are not to be alone with boys who are not their relatives. We know you’re new to the Romani customs, but this rule and several others were explained to you upon your arrival.”
The Elder passed the sheet of paper to Uncle Henry. “Sienna, what is your response to this accusation?”
“It’s all lies. I was never alone with another Romani boy while being courted by Ethan.” I suppressed a smile as a sense of calm washed over me. Uncle Henry had carefully crafted the accusation, so I wouldn’t have to lie. If Nadya had seen me with someone, he knew it wasn’t another Romani boy.
Nadya approached the podium on the left. Unlike her usual attire of tight dresses and low-cut tops, tonight she wore a long white skirt and a modest blue blouse. She’d even styled her hair differently, pulling it back into a bun with loose strands framing the sides of her face. “I’m not lying. I saw her with someone.”
“That’s impossible.” I scowled, turning to Nadya. “Where are these other witnesses?”
“They’re afraid to come forward.” Nadya glared at me. “You might send the Norwood wolves after them.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I returned my attention to the Elders. “I don’t control the Norwood wolves. You know that. Has anyone else made this accusation against me?”
“No,” one of the Elders replied. He squinted in Nadya’s direction. “Did you recognize the boy?”
Nadya shook her head. “It was too dark.”
The Elders whispered to each other for a while, and then one of them stood and faced Nadya.
“It would appear you have no other witnesses and no evidence. You can’t make such an accusation and bring us only your word. We believe you thought you saw Sienna with another boy. Although we’re sure you didn’t intentionally lie, without evidence, we must conclude you were mistaken. We won’t punish you this time, but don’t waste our time again. We won’t be so understanding in the future.”
Nadya returned to her seat next to Ethan.
My mouth dropped open. What if she’d convinced her friends to lie? I wouldn’t have been able to prove my innocence. I contemplated questioning the fairness of no punishment, but given that no one had raised the possibility of me being seen alone with Kaleb, I kept my mouth shut.
“We hope this accusation hasn’t put any undue stress on your current relationship,” the Elder said.
The Elders and Uncle Henry stared at me as I looked at the one who had spoken. He couldn’t even say Kaleb’s name. It was as if he didn’t want to confirm my relationship with a Norwood wolf.
“Everything’s fine,” I replied. At least no one had asked if I was still a virgin.
“Is there any chance this purity question will be raised again?” the Elder asked, but he hadn’t directed his question at me.
“No, sir.” Victor shook his head. “It won’t be an issue.”
“Then let’s move on,” the Elder said.
With a sigh of relief, I took a seat next to Drina. As the ballroom doors opened and more people entered the room, Uncle Henry walked to the podium in front of us. Drina whispered in Victor’s ear. She too was curious about what was going on.
Uncle Henry didn’t look at all surprised when Ethan’s mom approached the other podium. I glanced at Victor, hoping he’d have some answers, but he and Drina looked as confused as I felt. Whatever he and Uncle Henry had spoken about earlier in the hallway, it wasn’t this.
“Earlier this evening, Mrs. Kezia Istrati brought an issue before the Elders. As the parties involved are present tonight, we’ve decided to let her issue be heard at the kris.” The Elder sat, motioning for Mrs. Istrati to speak.
Mrs. Istrati slipped on her eyeglasses and fumbled with the papers in her hand. “As I explained earlier, I made an agr
eement with Henry Stanescu several months ago. We agreed that Ethan and Sienna would marry. Obviously, Ethan isn’t marrying Sienna, and we’re not pleased about this.”
Gasping, I covered my mouth and scooted down in my seat. I couldn’t believe Ethan’s mom had said she was unhappy about Ethan not marrying me. What did she expect the Elders to do? Make Uncle Henry uphold the marriage agreement and force us to marry?
Chapter 6
The volume in the ballroom increased as everyone voiced their opinion. Many of the Romanies called out, demanding the Elders enforce the marriage agreement. While others insisted they declare it invalid because Mom hadn’t agreed to it.
I folded my arms and did my best not to let their comments bother me. None of them knew me or cared about what I wanted. If they did, they’d know I loved Kaleb and certainly wouldn’t be forced into marrying someone else, especially not Ethan.
“I can’t believe this,” Drina muttered. She took my hand and squeezed it.
Victor shook his head, cursing under his breath.
Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at Ethan and Nadya, feeling embarrassed for them. They looked as shocked as everyone else. Mr. Istrati sat to their right, wearing a dark suit and shiny shoes. He always looked confident and impeccably dressed, but tonight, he looked uncomfortable, adjusting his tie several times and not meeting anyone’s gaze. Why wasn’t he standing at the podium with his wife?
“Quiet!” An Elder pounded a gavel on the table several times. “Henry, do you have a response to Kezia’s issue?”
“Yes,” Uncle Henry said. “I’m not exactly pleased with how things ended up either, but what does Kezia expect the Elders to do? Force Ethan and Sienna to marry? Ethan and Nadya held their engagement party last week. What’s the real reason she’s here?”
Mrs. Istrati cleared her throat. “You broke the agreement, Henry. It needs to be recorded. Everyone should know what you and your niece did.”
“Fine,” snapped Uncle Henry. “I broke the agreement. But it doesn’t sound like there’s any real issue here. The Elders have nothing to vote on, unless…” Uncle Henry stepped away from the podium and turned to address the crowded room. “Does anyone here have an issue with me breaking the marriage agreement? I had no choice, and you know that. What was I supposed to say when Kaleb asked for Sienna’s hand in marriage? Did you expect me to say no?”
Kaleb had asked for my hand in marriage? When?
I whispered in Drina’s ear, “Did you or Victor know about this?”
“No.” She shook her head.
“We know you’ve spent time with Asher these past few months, and that you’ve held secret meetings with the Elders,” Mrs. Istrati said. “How do we know you didn’t arrange Sienna and Kaleb’s marriage? She’s a half-breed. What do you care what happens to her?”
Uncle Henry’s face reddened. “How dare you call Sienna—”
“Enough!” An Elder jumped to his feet and frowned at Mrs. Istrati. “Be very careful what you say, Kezia. You and your husband are not part of this community. We don’t need name calling here.”
“My apologies.” Mrs. Istrati bowed her head. “I let my anger get the best of me.”
“Now, let’s discuss the daro,” the Elder said.
My ears perked up as I sat up straighter.
Daro was the Romani word for bride price. As one of the arranged marriage terms, Ethan’s mom had paid a lump sum to Uncle Henry when they made the agreement. We had very little money left as Mom’s chemotherapy sessions were expensive and she didn’t have health insurance. Despite their family’s riches, Mrs. Istrati had only offered a modest daro.
“Henry’s admitted to breaking the agreement. You heard him,” Mrs. Istrati said. “We want the daro back.”
“No!” I jumped to my feet, pissed at her greed. Everyone knew they didn’t need the money. She was just upset because Ethan had chosen to marry Nadya.
“Sienna, sit down,” Uncle Henry said firmly. “I’ll handle this.”
Victor grabbed my arm. “You heard Henry. You need to sit and—”
“She can’t do this,” I said, struggling to free my arm, but Victor wouldn’t let go. If Mom were here, she wouldn’t sit quietly and let Uncle Henry handle this. She’d stand up and fight.
“Let her speak. This concerns her too,” one of the Elders said.
Victor released me, and I stepped up to the podium to stand next to Uncle Henry. He didn’t look happy that I’d spoken up, but I didn’t care. The Elders could not agree to the return of the daro.
It was hard to believe Mrs. Istrati had been one of Mom’s closest friends when they were teenagers. Mom had told her all about the cancer treatments, and she knew our money was almost gone.
“I won’t return the daro. I have the right to keep it,” I said.
“That’s not for you to decide.” Mrs. Istrati lurched forward, grasping her podium with both hands. “If you’re not marrying Ethan, then you must return the daro.”
I swallowed hard and glanced over at Ethan and Nadya, who sat holding hands. Neither looked pleased, and I couldn’t blame them. Did his mom honestly expect me to marry him? “You said if I’m not marrying Ethan. I was never given a chance to reject his proposal. He never asked me. Let me remind everyone, your son didn’t choose me. He proposed to Nadya, so he broke the agreement.”
“What?” Mrs. Istrati gasped.
“The daro’s mine,” I said firmly. “The Elders can’t make me give it back.”
“Ethan had no choice. He couldn’t challenge Kaleb after he staked his claim,” Mrs. Istrati said.
“You don’t get it, do you?” I glared at her. “If Ethan had proposed, I would’ve fulfilled the agreement and married him. It wouldn’t have mattered if Kaleb had tried to claim me. He’s a wolf, and he had no right to make that claim.”
“She’s just saying that,” Mrs. Istrati said as people in the room started to talk among themselves. “She never would’ve said yes. Look at her now. She’s in love with that wolf. It’s an embarrassment to our people. To our way of living. Have you forgotten who these wolves really are?”
“This is nonsense,” Uncle Henry yelled, glaring at Mrs. Istrati. “You have no right—”
One of the Elders pounded the gavel, causing the room to grow quiet. “The daro belongs to Sienna.”
“Then I demand you reinstate Nells’ banishment,” Mrs. Istrati replied.
“On what grounds?” Uncle Henry asked. “Nells has done nothing wrong. She didn’t even know about the arranged marriage.”
A smile spread across Mrs. Istrati’s face. “The agreement with the Elders stipulated that Sienna must be engaged by her eighteenth birthday. But I don’t see a ring on her finger.”
I folded my arms, annoyed when everyone glanced at my hand. I couldn’t believe Mrs. Istrati was trying to get Mom banished again. What was wrong with her? Did she not have any kindness in her heart?
“That’s of no concern to you,” Uncle Henry said. “You don’t live in Woodlake. Unless your future daughter-in-law brings this before the Elders, we won’t discuss it.”
Mrs. Istrati pounded her fist on the podium. “How dare you speak to me like that. We’re Romanies whether I live here or not. This is—”
“We mean no disrespect, but we won’t banish Nells,” one of the Elders said. “Kaleb’s claim on Sienna fulfills the terms of our agreement. Unless Ethan wants to challenge Kaleb to a fight, this matter is closed.”
Everyone looked at Ethan.
“No. I’m marrying Nadya,” Ethan said. He glared at his mom as she returned to her seat.
“Then that’s settled. We have an important announcement to make tonight. That’s why we asked the wolves to stay on Norwood Isle.” The Elder paused, loosening his tie as he cleared his throat. “Calandra is coming to Woodlake.”
Several people gasped, including Drina whose face went white. The Elders and Uncle Henry seemed to be the only ones not shocked by this announcement.
“Who�
��s Calandra?” I whispered to Drina, but she didn’t respond.
“We’re leaving,” Victor said.
“Shouldn’t we stay and hear why she’s…?” I didn’t dare finish as Victor glared at me.
“Let’s go.” Victor stood, grabbing Drina’s hand and pulling her along. “Sienna, keep up.”
I followed them to the aisle, and we walked toward the doors at the back of the ballroom. It was hard to keep up as others hurried in the same direction. No one pushed, but they all wanted to get out.
The Elders attempted to answer the questions being shouted at them, but the growing noise in the room drowned out their replies. Someone repeatedly pounded the gavel.
As the ballroom doors swung open, a sharp pain seared along the side of my head. A woman with long dark hair entered the room and stared directly at me. My legs buckled and I stumbled, falling to the floor. Then the room faded and darkness descended.
Chapter 7
I opened my eyes to find myself lying on a wooden bench and staring up at the twinkling stars in the night sky. Groaning, I slowly sat up and rubbed the side of my head. Drina was right. These headaches were getting worse and I needed to see a doctor.
“Are you okay?” Victor stood next to me, looking worried as he handed me a plastic cup of water.
“Yes.” I glanced around, surprised to see the hotel’s outdoor patio. To our right, oversized windows provided a great view of the indoor pool. “How did I get here?”
“You fainted, so I carried you outside for some fresh air. Drina’s getting aspirin from the hotel manager.” He touched my forehead with the back of his hand. “You’re burning up. Maybe we should take you to the hospital.”
“No. I’ll be fine.” I drank the water as my mind drifted to what I’d seen before I fainted. An older woman with long straight black hair parted down the middle and braided to one side. She had light brown skin and wore a flowing black dress and brown boots.
“At least the kris is over.” Victor took the plastic cup from my hand and tossed it into a nearby trashcan. He glanced around the patio, paying close attention to the woods. “Can you see Markus?”
Romani Witch (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 2) Page 4