Chapter 2
“Just sit down and let me work,” demanded Lily, pushing me into the seat in front of the small mirror in our room.
“This is a waste of time. I’m just going to have to cover it up with a hat,” I said as she pulled a brush through my dirty head of thick, curly black hair.
“You will wear a scarf around those little pointed ears of yours today so people can admire my work,” she said, crossing pieces of hair around one another to create delicate little braids.
“You know, for wanting to be a nun, you sure do like a lot of recognition. Are you sure that’s the life you want?” I asked. I would support Lily in anything she chose, but I knew she adored children and desired a love of her own. Things she would never be able to have if she chose a life dedicated to God and God alone.
“If someone is good at something it should be admired and complimented, no matter who they are. And yes, I am sure.”
“What about Evan? He’s obviously interested in you, and you seem to be entertaining the idea.” She knocked me in the head with the brush, causing me to flinch. I looked back in the mirror to see a scowling Lily. I laughed, seeing her all stirred up. It didn’t happen often, but when it did, I reveled in the moment.
“There’s nothing going on with Evan. He’s nice to me and I enjoy hearing his stories about working in the stables. That is all. You know how much I love horses,” she said innocently, but I knew better.
Evan was another member of our little pack. He was eighteen and recently got a job working with horses at the town stable. He began to show interest in Lily a year ago. Though she was still young and had very little experience, she could turn on the charm faster than I had ever seen another woman do. Which made me question her desire to become a nun even more.
“He has a good income now and he would be able to provide a good life for you and a family. Won’t you even consider the possibility?” I asked.
She exhaled, tying a ribbon through the woven braids she had just finished. “Why is it so hard for you to believe the church is truly where my heart lies? Is that pagan blood of yours turning you against Christ?” she asked with a small smirk.
“No, I’m just looking out for you is all. This is a big decision and I just want to make sure you won’t look back one day and regret not having a family or a husband. I want you to have everything your heart desires. You can have a family and still serve God. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.”
Lily paused, placing her hands on either of my shoulders. “If I’m being honest, I have thought about that, a lot. Evan is a nice young man, and he could provide everything you’ve said. He’s even suggested what you are saying to me. But…but I don’t feel for him in the way I should. I don’t desire him or feel like I can’t live without him. He doesn’t create that flame inside of me that I hear the other girls in the square talk about.”
Lily looked away from my reflection in the mirror. “I’ve yet to experience that feeling and I’m unsure if I ever will. But one thing I do know is that I owe God my life. He has given everything to me. He gave me a new family, a safe place to call home. He gave me a purpose, and he gave me you.” She hugged me from behind. “For that, I will honor him with my life.”
I exhaled, nodding my head in the mirror at her. I looked at my hair as she finished, placing small flowers throughout the braid. She got a light blue scrap of fabric and wrapped it around my head, covering my ears in the process. “I almost look normal,” I said sarcastically.
“You are normal, dummy,” she said, pulling me from the chair. “Now let’s go have some fun today and no more talk of Evan.” As if he heard his name Evan’s head popped out from behind the door as a grin sprawled across his sun-kissed face. I smiled at Lily.
“I won’t talk about him, but it looks like you may have to,” I said, gesturing to the open door.
She turned around and smiled before hiding her reaction with her hands. Yeah, she had no interest in him, right, I thought.
I took her hand as we all headed out towards the street together. Before we left the holy building, I said a little prayer for Conner and Stefan, hoping they would stay out of trouble.
The square was jam-packed with people. The celebration brought people into town that lived on the outskirts of our settlement. Wooden stands were set up around the square where vendors sold fruits, vegetables, soups, elixirs; anything one could think of. The only problem was people in the area were too poor to afford anything but the basics. That didn’t prevent me from slipping my sticky little hands in and out of pockets, collecting a few coins on the way through the busy crowd.
We paused at the large rectangular stage that was set in the middle of the square where live music was playing. Couples and children danced in front of the musicians to the catchy beat. Nil and Kara rushed into the crowd, hand in hand, as they began to spin in circles, allowing the wind to catch their dresses with each twirl. Jordan appeared beside me; his face still heavy from his spat with Conner.
“You said the right thing today. He’ll realize it in time,” I said, trying to sound reassuring.
“Time is what I am concerned about. I’m worried he is going to do something stupid that will land him in jail, or worse. For heaven’s sake Gen, I was not that stupid at his age. I didn’t disrespect the people who cared for me. I listened and learned from them. He acts like I say these things to him because I hate him or something. Like I want to see him suffer,” said Jordan.
I reached out, taking his arm in my hand. “Just give him time. He’ll come to respect you, but he must make the decision on his own. Until then, all we can do is continue to try. He’s smarter than we give him credit for.”
“That’s the problem,” Jordan said, laughing under his breath.
A group of young women were looking in his direction. Though I couldn’t look at him in that way, I could see the appeal he had to others. He was tall with a strong figure and beautiful blue eyes. His hair was dark brown, and his skin was the color of caramel. I nudged him, nodding towards his admirers.
“Why don’t you stop worrying and go enjoy yourself,” I said, smiling at him.
He looked in the girls’ direction and smiled. “You sure? What about the others?”
“I can handle them. Now go, before I drag you to them myself,” I said, pushing him along.
He smiled back at me, softer than before. “Thanks, Gen. Try to have some fun too.”
I watched the girls giggle with excitement as he headed towards them. I shook my head, thinking of how stupid they all appeared. How desperate and clingy. All they wanted in life was a husband who would provide for them and give them children. They had no ambitions and no real talents. Nothing to rely on besides their looks. Maybe I was a little jealous if I was being honest.
I turned my attention back to Nil and Kara who were still spinning to the music. Evan and Lily were off to the side, enjoying a sweet cake and flirting with one another as if they were the only two people in the square. I stood alone in a crowd full of people, feeling like I didn’t belong. I wondered if I would ever find someone who could truly love me in that way. Like a husband loves a wife. Would they care that I was half alfar? Would my ears bother them? Would the thought of starting a family with me repulse them?
I pushed the thoughts out of my head. I wasn’t one of the stupid girls who only cared about marriage and children. I had ambitions. I had talents. What those ambitions and talents were, I didn’t have the slightest clue, but I would find them. I was more than this town. More than my blood.
I looked over to a group of children who were sitting on the curve of the street, watching as the people ate and danced around them. Two boys and one little girl, all under the age of five. Their little faces were dirty, their hair tangled; their clothes were too small for their bodies and torn in multiple places. They were too skinny, and I could tell they weren’t fed regularly. I searched for their parents, but they were nowhere to be found.
I moved through the crowd, slipping my hands in and out of the people’s pockets until I had enough money, then purchased three sweet cakes. I went to the children, who looked up at me and backed away as they peered into my unique eyes. Smiling, I knelt beside them slowly and reached out my hand, offering the cakes up. Their little eyes widened as they inhaled the aroma of the dessert.
“It’s okay, I bought them for you. See, one for each of you,” I said gently. They took the cakes and ever so slowly each took a bite. Their bodies exhaled in relief as the food filled their bellies. The little girl looked up and smiled at me before taking her second bite. I watched with a heavy heart as they enjoyed something that they never should be denied…food.
A young woman frantically rushed over. “There you three are! Where did you run off to? Haven’t I told you to stay near your father or me during the celebration?” She touched each of the children, making sure they were still in one piece before looking at the cakes and then at me. She seemed curious, as if she wanted to ask why, but didn’t allow the words to escape.
“You have beautiful children,” I said.
She gave me a small uncomfortable smile, looking into my eyes and then at the ribbon that covered my ears. My eyes were unique. When humans peered into them, they always questioned what I was. I was sure the rumors of the half-breed that lived among them had scattered to the nearby settlements.
“Thank you and thank you for the cakes. What do I owe you for them?” she asked hesitantly.
I shook my head. “Nothing, it was a gift,” I said.
She knelt, staring at me for a moment longer before pulling the three children up off the curb. “You are too kind. Thank you again,” she said, ushering them along. “We should be on our way. I hope you enjoy the celebration.”
I watched as the mother and children found their father. He exhaled in relief, taking his family into his arms. My heart warmed at the sight of their affection.
I made my way back over to the others. Nil and Kara were filling their faces full of candy as they laughed and splashed each other in the fountain. Lily was trying on jewelry and headpieces at one of the vendor booths as Evan leaned against a post nearby, taking her in. Jordan had disappeared altogether.
As the night finally descended, the people of our small, innocent town became our entertainment. They were drunk off ale and whiskey as they stumbled around the broken streets of the square. They laughed freely and smiled at everyone they saw. Lily and I sat at the edge of the stage as the music slowed in tempo.
“What’s it like to be drunk?” she asked me.
“I don’t know. I’ve never taken the chance in fear of what would happen to me if I lost my wits,” I said honestly.
“You deserve some fun too, you know. Why not let me watch the others and you go steal yourself a bottle of whiskey over there,” she said, then clamped her hands over her mouth in shock. “I did not just encourage you to steal. That is wrong. Please don’t tell Sister Ester.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Don’t worry, your sinful suggestion is safe with me.”
“Momentary lapse in judgment. God, please forgive me,” she said, looking up to the heavens. “You are a bad influence on me, Gen.”
“Oh, that was my fault now, was it? Well, I can just leave if you’d like. Wouldn’t want to corrupt you any more than I have,” I said playfully.
“No, never leave. You continue to try and corrupt me, and I will continue to try and lead you to Christ.”
“Deal,” I said, wrapping my arm around her and squeezing her tight.
Evan made his way over to us, sitting on the other side of Lily. Across the crowd I saw Stefan emerge, looking as if someone had just killed his dog. I furrowed my brow, trying to figure out what was going on.
I turned to Lily and Evan. “Hey, will you two watch Nil and Kara?” I asked.
“Sure, what’s going on?” asked Evan.
“Hopefully nothing, but if it gets too late, get them back to the church, okay?” I ordered.
“Of course,” said Evan.
Lily looked at me curiously. I gave her a small reassuring smile before moving through the crowd towards Stefan. He was a wreck.
“What is it? Where is Conner?” I asked.
He exhaled deeply. “Advisor Harren caught Danielle and him together tonight during his little get-together,” Stefan said in a panic. “It wasn’t good, Gen. Harren went ballistic. He beat Conner to a pulp in front of all his guests and then had the guards haul him away to the cells until he could figure out his punishment. I tried to help him, I really did, but he wouldn’t listen to me, and then when they took him, I couldn’t get anywhere near him.”
I brought my hands to his shoulders, steadying him as he swayed from side to side barely able to keep upright. “It’s okay, Stefan. You did all that you could.” I said, calmly. Shit, shit, shit, I thought. Of all nights he had to go and get caught now when there was twice the number of people and guards in town. Stupid idiot.
“What do we do?” asked Stefan.
“We do nothing. You’ve done enough for tonight. Go and enjoy the solstice and I will figure out how to get him out.”
“Should I find Jordan, or tell the others?”
“No, let me worry about Conner. I want them to enjoy the celebration, which includes you. Don’t worry. Like I said, I will get him out.”
He nodded, walking slowly past me into the crowd of people. I thought for a moment, trying to figure out how I was going to get the stupid bastard out of jail. I frantically checked my surroundings, trying to figure out a solution, just as my eyes landed on a booth selling whiskey. I tilted my head to the side as my plan began to take form. Well, it was a celebration after all.