I nod politely at the few people that I pass by who likely had the same idea I did about enjoying the fresh morning air. Some of them wave and smile, like Goody Abbott as I pass by Finn’s house. I wave and smile back, always finding her relaxed mindset and progressive attitude refreshing in contrast with my more legalistic family and their suffocatingly traditionalist values. I try not to look for Finn’s attractive silhouette in the window that I know leads to his bedroom, but in the dim light of dawn, I can just manage to see his chiseled frame as he pulls on his working shirt. I thank my lucky stars that his mother seems not to have noticed, and I continue my walk into the marketplace. I make a mental note to move a bit faster in order to afford myself a few minutes to chat with Rafaela and have time to make the trek back home before my absence is noticed.
As my feet start to become tired from the elevated pace I forced them into, I sigh in relief as Rafaela’s apothecary stand comes into view. I smile at the cheery dark blue lettering that she likely painted herself from blueberry pigment. She’s always been so creative and talented, as long as I’ve known her.
“Good morning, Rafaela!” I jog over to her and smile. She turns to me and gives me a big hug as her long, dark hair falls over my shoulder. I meet her orchid-colored irises.
“Dearest Constance! How have you been, my dear?” She pulls me close for a moment, and then takes a good, long look at me.
“I’m… all right, mostly. Happy to see you, anyway!”
She nods excitedly, her ornate jewelry bobbing around her face and neck. I notice the decadent texture of her colorful dress, and can’t help but envy the freedom of movement that the thin fabric likely also affords.
“No head covering today? How lovely to see such pretty hair!” Her laugh tickles my ears and I smile as the sound reverberates through my skull.
“I just needed some fresh air this morning. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen you last!”
Rafaela nods. “Indeed, my friend. I’ve been busy traveling around to some other places, but I’m hoping to be around in this region for the spring season, at least. It’s so beautiful here this time of year.”
I smile at her in response, but even that smile fades quicker than I can maintain it. “There is… something that I just found out about yesterday.”
“Oh?” Her rose-painted lips make a soft “o” as she places small vials onto her display holder and straightens a bowl of healing stones sitting nearby.
“My family, you see, they’ve arranged a marriage for me.”
Rafaela blinks. “And is that not cause for congratulations?” She brushes a few strands of her jet-black hair out of her eyes.
“Typically, it might be. But the boy they have arranged for me… I don’t fancy him at all.”
Rafaela frowns, and then pats me on the shoulder. “That is certainly difficult. But you should know that I have heard of many people who have learned to love their arrangement over time. Maybe you will too?” She tries to smile at me, but I can’t return it, and I can see the pain pulling down the corners of her mouth too.
“Not this one, Rafaela. There’s…” I pause, looking around me to make sure there aren’t any potential listeners in earshot. “…. someone else that I fancy.”
Her frown deepens, and I watch as her shoulders deflate like a balloon. She opens her mouth to speak, but cannot seem to get the words out. I allow myself to succumb to her embrace, as she pulls me close, even tighter than before.
“My poor dear…” Her words, even though she appears to be just a handful of years older than me, hold a certain amount of weight and wisdom to them that I cannot place exactly, but I believe them all the same.
CHAPTER 7
Griffin awakens early from his slumber in the field he had escaped to the other evening when the small child had latched himself to his leg and refused to let go. The prickly yet soft texture of the grass brought awareness and wakefulness to the back of his neck and fingertips, and he manages to sit up, albeit a bit more slowly due to the different gravity level he is still adapting to.
Before he manages to come to his full standing height, an abrupt and uncomfortable almost choking sensation makes itself known to his throat. He remembers the bread that he ate last night, and suddenly worries he has been poisoned. Struggling to tap into his remote communicator from the time machine, he begins to cough and sputter nearly uncontrollably.
“Evander! I can’t… breathe. Something is… hurting me…”
“Griffin! Stay calm. Can you describe what you feel?”
“My throat… something is… fighting to get out.”
A few moments tick by as Griffin is met with silence on the other end of the communicator. “Griffin, you do not need to panic. I am relatively certain that your embedded device is just being expelled.”
“My what?”
“Yes, that’s exactly why we made sure you had a secondary communication device that you could keep with you even after it was expelled. Remember we talked about the safety feature that is imprinted in your embedded device? Twenty-four hours on Earth, and it makes its own hasty exit.”
“Oh, that.” His speech is cut out by some more coughing as the device rapidly makes its way up his esophagus. “I didn’t realize. I thought… I thought I was… poisoned.”
“That is quite unlikely, at least from what you are describing. You are just fine, Griffin. But I can stay online with you, if that helps. At least until it’s out.”
Griffin nods, and then gives a verbal affirmative since Evander obviously can’t see him.
“It’s almost, oh… it’s… spindly.”
“Those were the wires previously attached to your nervous system. You don’t need to worry about it now - it’s virtually useless at this point. You’ll get it replaced as soon as you return to the Upperworld.”
“Thank you, Evander. Oh, and I should tell you, I sort of, accidentally, got into a bit of a squabble with a young humanoid, I really didn’t mean to -”
“I know, Griffin, we saw the whole thing from our monitor up here.”
“Oh.” The embarrassment and feeling of failure in his voice is palpable. “I hope everything’s still all right. I know that’s risky business.”
“It is, but everything seems okay at the moment. Just be careful, please.”
“Absolutely. I won’t let you down.” Griffin fingers the odd, black, spindly, creature-like mechanism that he coughed up, almost forgetting that it used to live comfortably under the surface of his skin on his wrist.
“On behalf of the Upperworld and every human who lives now and will live in the future, I surely hope so.”
✷✷✷
“What was that about?” Evander turns around to meet Luna’s inquisitive eyes.
“Oh, Griffin. His embedded device ejected itself and he didn’t know what was going on. I could have sworn we warned him about that. Regardless, he was pretty concerned until I allayed some of his fears.”
“That is pretty scary. I remember when I lost mine - I didn’t expect it either.”
“Yeah it definitely feels odd. At least, I imagine it would.”
“I was in a store on Earth when it happened. I was almost choking on the device when it was trying to leave my body.”
Evander nods. “Glad you made it back here as safely as you did.”
“I’m glad I wasn’t alone… the whole time anyway.”
Onyx jumps in to the conversation from his vantage point on the throne. “Because I was there with you?” A small smile spreads across his lips as his eyes glow a bit brighter.
“Yes, but I was thinking more about Anthony.”
Evander’s eyes flash to Onyx’s rapidly dimming eyes. “Anthony? Who was that?”
Onyx can hardly hide the snarl that forms on his face as he rolls his eyes in almost an otherworldly-fashion. “A humanoid who helped her. That’s all. Nothing more to report than that.”
“Is that true, Luna?”
Luna smiles and shrugs. “I
really felt safe, when he was taking care of me before you got there. I will be forever grateful for that.”
“You know, he’ll be dead before you know it.”
“What?” Luna’s eyes grow wide as Evander face-palms audibly next to her.
“Well, you know human lives are fragile, and don’t last for very long. They’re not immortal like us.”
“Sure, I suppose, but, I didn’t want to think about his untimely death…”
“Well, it’s going to happen, you know. Just you wait. Then who’s going to take care of you, huh?”
The words from Onyx’s mouth seethe from his cracking lips. Luna recoils from the kickback as Evander pats her awkwardly on the back. “Luna, why don’t you head home and get some sleep? You’ve been here for quite a while, you’re probably exhausted.”
Luna nods, as fresh tears form at the corners of her eyes. “Uh, okay. I will. See you later, Onyx.”
“Goodbye, my love.” The words oozed from his lips like venom, clearly emphasized deliberately to make a point. Luna turns and walks slowly out of the Grand Hall. Onyx and Evander sit in utter silence until Luna’s petite form makes its complete journey to the main door of the Grand Hall, and then takes a left turn to get onto the main pathway toward the habitation pods.
CHAPTER 8
“I have faith that you will adapt to your circumstances, somehow…” Rafaela wipes away one of my stray tears, even though I promised myself I wouldn’t cry.
“I have no idea how though. I’m trapped, and there’s no way out. My whole future… just gone. I don’t want him and I don’t see how I’ll manage to be happy with him at all. It disgusts me. I don’t want his children, I don’t think I really want any at all, at least not yet. I’m scared, Rafaela.”
She had become an older sister of sorts for me, almost a more free-living version of myself, even. Rafaela always has such an interesting style, both in what she wears and the way she lives. Letting myself melt into her arms was soothing in ways that I couldn’t explain. I don’t get that kind of love at home. My parents are good people and I know they care about us deeply, but I wouldn’t consider myself to have a close relationship with them, really at all. Surely if I did, they wouldn’t be forcing me into a union that would undoubtedly make me incredibly unhappy.
“Chin up, Constance. Things will get better. I look at it this way: you can either mourn the life you thought you wanted, and make yourself absolutely miserable, or you can embrace what has been offered you, and try to find joy in that. It’s hard, believe me, I know.” She pauses to toss her beautiful, shiny, midnight hair over her shoulder. “You can find joy in this. It will come. Just open your heart and your mind up to the possibilities.” She pulls me close once more. “Don’t get me wrong, this does break my heart on your behalf. I hate seeing you like this. But you’ll find a way. You always do.” She smiles at me, and I catch a glimpse of her sparkling eyes through the haze of my own tear-covered ones.
“Thank you, Rafaela. It’s just… a lot to process. I can’t believe I have to submit myself to that…” I look around to make sure we’re alone. “… that lumpy, fat, and annoying man. I thought, I thought maybe I deserved better.”
She sighs at my outburst, but the twinkle remains in her eyes. “You know what, Constance? I think you probably do. I think you absolutely deserve better. You can believe that. And every day, living with your betrothed, you can remind yourself that you are a princess living in unfortunate circumstances. And maybe, he’ll turn into a prince, over time. It’s far from ideal, sweetie. And I don’t want to seem callous or unfeeling. I promise I’m none of those things. You know that, right?”
I manage to nod and smile politely, even though I feel like reality is crashing down on me with a thousand tons of misery.
“So you understand, I’m only trying to encourage you to make the best of what you have. There’s really no other option, that is, unless you decide to run away…”
I look down at the ground, moving a pebble around with the toe of my shoe. “You think I could pull that off?”
Rafaela moves back to her display and pauses. “I was only joking, Constance. I wouldn’t seriously suggest running away, absolutely not.”
“Why though? You manage well enough on your own. Why couldn’t I?”
She sighs, looking off sadly into the distance. “It’s a long, painful story, Constance. Not sure I can bear to tell it right now.”
“Oh, okay.” But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit my interest was quite piqued at this particular moment.
“Well what if I just travel around with you? Would you mind? Can we just go far away from here so they can’t force me to marry that miserable lug?”
She smiled sweetly at me, and I notice the way her many bangle bracelets jingle in the warm early-morning breeze. “As much as I would like that, I couldn’t live with myself if I took you away from your family without their consent - you’re still under their domain, unfortunately.”
I shrugged. “I suppose you’re right. But I still would do just about anything if there was a way out of this.”
She rubs my shoulder in sympathy. “Well, how long do you have until the wedding?”
I blow some hair out of my eyes. “I’m betrothed to be married in about two week’s time.”
“Well, here’s what I’d do if I were you. You have fourteen days before you are bound to someone else forever. If there is something you’ve been wanting to do that you wouldn’t be able to do then…” She pauses to wink at me, and I’m all too familiar with what she’s hinting at. “I’d say now is the time for that. Do everything you can to make now worthwhile, so that you’ll at least have some special memories to get you through your future.”
I smirk a little, not even bothering to sensor my own mind as Mother had taught me. I figure it no longer matters, and it might just be a small act of defiance that the other things are coming to mind. “Thank you, Rafaela. I’m feeling… slightly more at peace with this. I’m still upset, and I still doubt that I’ll ever be all that happy about it, but it’s looking more feasible than it was. And for that, I thank you greatly.”
She hugs me again. “I am so happy to hear that. I’d better get back to running my stand, but do come back next week to say hello. I need to give you a wedding present as well.”
“Oh, you really don’t have to -”
“Nonsense! It’s still a celebration. I’m determined to make this special for you, even though it’s not ideal. You’ll see.” She winks at me, and I find myself smiling back, legitimately this time.
“Well, that’s quite kind of you. Oh, I’d better be getting back too.” I look up at the sky, and the deep purple has turned to medium blue at this point, which means I’ll be due back at my house in a matter of minutes before anyone starts wondering where I went.
“See you later, Rafaela!”
“May you be blessed, Constance.”
I run a lot faster through the marketplace, and I completely forget to watch where I’m going until I run straight into someone’s ample belly.
“Hey, watch where you’re going!” I look up, and recognize the voice I’m going to be getting to know a lot better.
“Oh, my apologies, Silas.” I bow my head, and look away.
“That’s no problem, my love.” The words hit me in the face and begin mocking me themselves. He reaches out to place his sweaty hand on my shoulder and I shake it off. His breath reeks of onions and garlic bread.
“I’m not anything to you for another two weeks. So don’t call me anything.” I stomp away, fighting the urge to kick him where I know it would hurt. I overhear him mumble the word “feisty” as I leave, and I smile to myself.
Oh he has no idea how ‘feisty’ I can be… but something tells me he’s going to find out.
CHAPTER 9
“Griffin, go find Constance again. We need eyes on her at all times, so that you don’t miss the defining moment coordinates.”
“Roger that. I believe her
house is just across the field I slept in, so she shouldn’t be far. I just have to avoid being spotted this time.”
“Exactly. Good luck, Griffin.”
He clicks off his communicator, and then begins walking across the field as nonchalantly as possible, which is quite difficult in a very prominent light blue full-body jumpsuit amidst a Puritan compound. After a few minutes of dodging stares as much as he can, Griffin makes it to the back of Constance’s house, and finds a good vantage point at the back window. Balancing on a stray wooden barrel, he manages to reach the bottom of the slightly ajar window. Inside the house, he sees a family going about their morning routine, until the front door opens and Constance hurriedly walks in.
“Constance! Where were you? And where is your head covering?”
Her mother seems quite upset at her for some reason. Oh no - has the moment already happened? Did I miss it in my lack of foresight?
“Sorry, Ma. I just went for a walk, to clear my head. And I… forgot it.”
Her mother appears to click her tongue in protest, but she doesn’t press the matter any more.
“All right, we can talk about this later. Go wash up for breakfast, now.”
Griffin releases a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, and then sits down on the barrel, facing the field he slept in overnight. He doesn’t want to be caught by the family, so he decides not to risk looking through the window too long.
“Hey Nobody!”
Griffin groans with frustration as he looks to his left, and meets the mischievous gaze of the small child who had tormented him yesterday.
“Get away from me. You have no business here.”
The child rolls his eyes. “Well, actually, I do. Ma sent me over here to ask Goody Miller for some butter. Then I saw you hiding out over here, so I came on back.”
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