“Let’s vote on it then,” someone else stressed. “We have much to do. Those in favor of her having a festival within a day or two?” With a show of hands, almost everyone voted for the party. “Those who oppose the festival, and think she should wait for her partner with a suitor?” Only a few silently protested, one of which was Ky. “Then it’s settled, she will have a festival.”
“But she doesn’t want one. Did you see her hand shoot up?” the female baby blue Star asked the members of the council.
“It doesn’t matter. She’s overruled,” the councilman stressed shortly. “If she didn’t want a festival she should have spoke up. But we voted; now it’s over, so come everyone! The townspeople will soon flood the dome, and I for one don’t want to be late for the Arrival Feast that is already in the works. We can discuss the sequence of the celebrations tomorrow once Sallamer convinces Cobaaron to stay.” At his word, everyone stood. Mirth broke out as people and Stars filed out of the hall. Ky was left there to think about what had happened; regrettably, she was to marry.
The entire idea of holding a festival to have a spouse chosen for her was outrageous and unreasonable. The council weren’t even parents who might have some inkling of what kind of man was her type. No one could possibly expect her to marry. She was too young, and fell into this nightmare.
They didn’t regard what she wanted, except the one female star. How was she supposed to know she needed to address the council to tell them she had no intention of marrying? She wasn’t sure if she was a princess anymore, either, like she was in Gem City. Everyone seemed to have only one vote, and no clout, except Cobaaron. She thought of asking him to say something, but she couldn’t face him. Not while they were fighting. There was a possibility he wouldn’t help her based on the fact he wanted to leave without more delay. As long as she didn’t feel for him and die, he didn’t care. All he wanted to be was a warrior.
The door opened to the council chamber. Ky smiled when she saw her little white tiger trotting toward her. His belly was bulging to the floor, stuffed with food. He looked like an overweight housecat. He hopped up onto her lap, and nudged her hand wanting to be petted. She found that he liked her twirling a finger around his ears. As he lay down, he began to purr.
“I don’t want to marry, Huntra. What do you think of this idea? Should we go find a different city? You brought me here safely. Maybe you could take me somewhere else where I can make my own decisions about my life. There can’t be a place too far from here. Another three day travel perhaps. I could always go back to Gem City, I suppose.” Huntra didn’t respond, but then she hadn’t expected him to. “Do you know of a place that is pretty like here, but doesn’t have battles, strange food or weird customs like bathing in groups? Or where I don’t have to marry anyone, at least not right now?” Ky sighed. “I don’t understand this world. I don’t understand Cobaaron, either. He hates me, and I don’t understand exactly why. Maybe I do need to get out of this place and get as far from him as possible. He’s messing with my head. I don’t even know why I care so much, but it does bother me that he doesn’t.” Ky watched Huntra enjoy the petting. “Can you even understand me? Look up if you do, Huntra. You brought me here like you understood Cobaaron.”
Huntra reluctantly lifted his head to peek into her eyes, but then rested his chin on her hand so she would scratch his neck, as if he deserved being petted as a reward for obedience. Ky obliged. “Will you get me out of here? Maybe after the feast, after I’ve eaten, and everyone has seen me, you can sneak down to the dome area where I am, and come find me. I’ll follow you out, and the second we’re out of the city, I’ll jump on your back and you can take me to a new home. Does that sound like a good plan?” Huntra didn’t respond but began to purr. “I’ll take that as a yes. I’ll watch for you down at the feast. Look at me again if you will take me.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes as he continued to stretch his neck so she would scratch his chin. “Good boy.”
*****
A heavily laden feast took place inside the dome, serving the warriors an elaborate meal in honor of Cobaaron’s arrival. An enormous room of white stone, with many shades of blue mixed with turquoise flowers filled the top of the dome, mimicking the Earth’s sky. Ky stared at the ceiling, reminiscing of the days she took the sun and cloudless days for granted.
There were carved houses of white stone erected inside the dome called the village. The homes surrounded the town square, which was large enough for thousands of people to sit at long tables for the feast, and have room to spare for mingling.
The warriors were served ale from women carrying large jugs. The council gathered at the widest table that was elaborately decorated, and laden with the greatest variety of food. A warrior escorted Ky to the council table. She sat between two councilmen and across from a male Star who instantly introduced himself as Nep.
Oella, Ky’s handmaid poured her a goblet of ale. The pale orange liquid bubbled and burped. She was about to take the smallest of sips, until she got the warning from Nep. “That is a warrior’s specialty. We only serve it when they’re here, because it’s a particularly strong brew after fermenting. You should only take one sip and wait awhile. Maybe delay until after you’ve eaten to see how it affects you. Some people take a gulp and they’re crawling back to their houses—literally.”
Ky put the goblet down. She wanted to have her wits about her so when Huntra came she could easily leave the dome with him. She smiled, thanking Nep for the warning.
When she was setting down her goblet Cobaaron caught her eye. He was sitting several chairs away next to the female baby blue Star who was chatting with him. He wore a new crown made of stacked pearls, and his suit was solid white. His eyes never looked so blue. Ky couldn’t tear her gaze away, though she knew she needed to. Even when his eyes were no longer on her, she watched him. She was very disappointed that they were no longer friends.
Without the union, there was still a small desire for him. But he wasn’t hers. He made that crystal clear. He cared about her, but not enough to want to be with her, and that was disappointing.
“You’re not hungry?” a councilman with red hair and a mustache asked. “I see you haven’t touched your food.” The sound of his voice snapped her thoughts back to the feast. A plate piled with food that looked like thin strips of grilled meat with odd vegetables sat in front of her. At least she guessed it was vegetables because the stack of slimy slop was green. He saw her expression and then introduced her to the food as he pointed. “It’s blackened coggy fish, and sea greens. It’s very good. Taste it, you won’t be disappointed.” Ky smiled stiffly, still slightly hesitant to take a bite, but she was too hungry to wait any longer. She took a bite of the sea greens, and as she chewed, she muttered how good it tasted. The sea greens hinted of moderately spicy cauliflower and spinach.
Delighted that Ky was pleased with the delicious food, the man clapped her back and took a bite himself. “I told you that you’d like it. And don’t listen to Nep, this ale is premium; the best there is. It would be a pity if you didn’t sip it just once. There isn’t much. Besides, I drank my entire glass already and I’m fine.” He patted his large belly. “I plan to have another, maybe three or four more, depending on how drunk I want to be while stumbling home. Five drinks, and I may wake up in another person’s house, but we’re all friendly here. I would be forgiven. It’s rare to get too tipsy off a sip or two.” He held up her goblet and set it in her hand. Ky laughed, instantly liking the friendly man.
Ky thanked him, but didn’t want to drink it, because she was waiting for Huntra. Her pause didn’t hinder him from picking up his goblet and clicking it to hers. “To the finest ale, may you not go to bed pale.” He grinned and snorted at his toast, and Ky was about to take a sip, but then he added, “Let us drink until we’re full, and let our conversation never get dull. Let our mind not go wrong, with this ale that is strong. Forgive my rhyming, I have terrible timing. Also, let me catch some fair ladies eye, before
I grow old and die.” He leaned in toward Ky and added, “That last part is for me, but I’m sure you’ll forgive this old man for that little wish on my behalf. So, let us drink to those thoughts.” He tipped the small goblet back, and drank. Then he waited for Ky to drink.
She took a sip. The ale was warm and thick. The beer tasted like a cider. It lingered on her tongue and changed to a soothing honey, which coated her throat as it went down. “She likes it.” He gloated, clapped her back again, and then tapped his goblet for another fill. Immediately, a servant poured him more. “Now here is another, for my Star mother. I promise not to offend, and there will be no need to amend. Let us only grow fond, and form a friendship bond.” He drank a long sip, and then urged her to do the same. Again, the ale washed her mouth, but this sip was cold like ice and tasted of tart fruit, before becoming richly sweet.
“For a finale, let us drink long, and happily burst into song. Let the good times continue forth…” he paused to think, but then tilted his head obviously not coming up with anything. “Well, this punch must be affecting me because all I can think of that rhymes is north, and how do I connect north? Oh, well, let us drink.” He took a long, slow sip. Meanwhile, he waved a hand so she too would drink heavily. He kept waving his hand, having her keep her lips to her goblet, but she only pretended to drink after she took her third small sip.
“Goodness man! You’ll get her good and drunk,” Nep protested. “She is thin, and a woman.”
Ky put her goblet down, and shook from the bitter taste that lingered. She didn’t like the aftertaste, but thankfully it changed into a warm, salty, chocolate flavor. “Quit making her drink, Quintin. You better stop now. Once it starts tasting like honey ale again, it means you’ve drunk too much,” Nep explained.
“Quit scaring her. This is her first feast. You might as well be telling her exactly what it is that she’s drinking, if you really want to make her hate it,” Quintin bellyached.
“I don’t want to know,” Ky quickly confessed and then pushed the goblet away. She felt queasy at the thought. He was probably having her drink from a strange animal, not too different than milk is from a cow.
The fish and greens were replaced with a plate of large spiny eggs. They steamed and began to burst open exposing green vines with small budding flowers. She watched Nep pluck the flowers to eat them. Ky did the same. They were quite bland. Quintin dismissed his plate and said, “I don’t eat vegetables if I can help it.”
There was a laugh from down the table. The female baby blue Star sitting next to Cobaaron chuckled loudly, along with two other men across from them. Cobaaron was grinning at a lively councilman who was continuing to tell jokes. Watching them made her smile.
Then something caught her eye. From the edge of the square a group of women dressed in glittering gowns approached. They were singing a catchy beat, as they walked up in unison, snapping their fingers. The warriors cheered and wolf whistled, and the citizens that had been eating stopped to applaud. One of the women in particular was exceedingly beautiful. She stepped forward, singing and dancing erotically. “We’re the City of Sterlings Girls!” the singer called out introducing them. Everyone cheered louder when the woman raised her hands. She bellowed out singing:
“I am known for my charms,
Studs want me in their arms.
You have hypnotized eyes;
They are glued to my thighs.
You want me for the sex,
I’m after the effects.
I will choose many men,
To let into my den.
I’ll say it’s my first time,
While over me, you climb.
Caress me, make me cream,
Then tease me ’till I scream.
I like it if you’re rough,
I cannot get enough.
Bind my hands if you please,
Then fulfill my unease.
I’ll give you a good ride—
You know that it’s implied.
Do me until I’m wet;
Make your hard body sweat.
All I need is your seed,
And one more chance to breed.”
The crowd was cheering loudly. The townsmen and the warriors were going wild. The women began to weave in and out between the warriors’ tables, shamelessly flirting. They sat on laps, ran their fingers in warrior’s hair, blew kisses, and even took men’s hands having them touch their bodies seductively. Ky’s mouth dropped watching their lewd behavior, and listening to the scandalous lyrics. Clearly, they meant what they sang. They thought nothing of the immorality of sleeping with anyone they desired.
“They call themselves Tuition,” Nep said, sounding in love with them. The lead singer had an undeniably remarkable voice, but then musical instruments joined and she sounded incredible. The lead vocalist slowly walked toward the council. Her hips shimmied provocatively, and she locked eyes on Cobaaron. Ky’s jealousy piqued. The song almost instantly changed and slowed. The beat of a drum timed her words as she sang:
“I was told that you are Cobaaron the Uncatchable.
So, I kept my feelings from you, the best I was able.
Though, I have wished to feel your gentle touch for quite some time,
I’ve had to watch you leave, my King; so cruel it is a crime.
I want you to be with no one if I cannot have you,
I would rather see you, alone my King, as you pass through.
You can call it jealousy, prejudice, or even hate,
But I want you with no woman if I can’t be your mate.
So, dance with me, Cobaaron, let us sway, let us combine.
Touch my curvy body, I am yours, show her you are mine.”
She pulled Cobaaron up from his chair, and then brushed against him. Everyone burst out into loud cheering, but Ky didn’t think it was pleasant at all. She could hear the singer’s words, as the woman kept serenading Cobaaron with increasingly provocative lyrics explaining exactly what she wanted to do to him, and wanted him to do to her while naming Ky as conniving minx. Ky watched her alternate rolling her shoulders, pressing her breasts to his chest. It hurt watching them dance together, and Ky was painfully aware she was jealous. To make it worse, Cobaaron was smiling at the singer as their bodies ground in a sexual dance.
Ky felt like weeping. She knew it was a juvenile reaction to want to cry over a man who wasn’t hers and didn’t want her, but she couldn’t help how she felt. Ky watched on in horror, as the singer never failed to gaze into his eyes, while keeping him so close that Ky expected her to kiss him. A moment later, she did. The crowd went wild with applause.
Ky turned away, unable to look. The dancers, who were still mingling among the warriors, began to clap their hands in a new beat. They lured men from chairs, and began to form lines. In unison, they all began to dance.
“It begins,” Nep yelled excitedly.
The backup singers yanked off their sequined dresses and revealing new skimpier jumpers, which were tight, short, and opaque in some places, revealing their stomachs, backs, and hips. The soloist, who at one point stopped kissing Cobaaron, had swapped to red sequined shorts with a butterfly shape midriff strapped over her breasts by thick red string. Everyone had his or her hands in the air, as the clapping continued. Quintin grabbed Ky’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Ky stood, and felt the ale’s affects. While mildly drunk, she eagerly welcomed the distraction. She glimpsed the singer pull Cobaaron to the crowd to dance with her, and started to rub up against him. Quintin got her attention, yelling over the loud music. “Just do what they do.”
“That’s easier said than done.” Ky grinned while she tried to memorize Quintin’s busy feet.
The music became louder and faster. Everyone was now up and dancing and singing a new song with the soloist.
Quintin let go of her hand, spinning her away. Someone else embraced her by putting his hand on her hips. All the women around her swung their heads from left to right. Then the men took one step closer to the wom
en, before whirling around and walking away.
Ky was immediately spun around to face another man, he captured her hips and lifted her up in the air and spun her while letting her slide down his chest. To the beat, the women rocked their shoulders into the men. The next moment, men leaned forward while the women bent backward. Then without pausing, the women leaned in toward the men compelling them to arch back. Each couple took turns doing this, before everyone spun around.
Ky found herself in front of Noxis. He faintly smiled, gave a nod, then dipping her in a circular motion before popping her back up. The women arched backward, and let the men sway their bodies back and forth. Noxis pulled her closer, lifting one of her legs, dipping her again. When he roughly lifted her upright, he let go, and all the men took a step forward before drawing back.
It seemed like the moment Ky started to get to know the dance; the music changed and so did the dance moves. Two people took Ky’s hands, and everyone walked to the left passing several people. When they stopped, Ky was suddenly standing inches from Cobaaron. He stared at her, while every other man in the room was walking around their partners. Ky smiled. A moment later, he walked off leaving her to stand awkwardly among the dancing crowd. Ky’s smile fell.
Ky spun around to go back to the table, but glimpsed Cobaaron leaving the square. Only steps from him, Ky saw Huntra crouching, looking very reluctant to wait for her. Cobaaron walked right passed him. She wasn’t sure if he had seen Huntra, but hoped he hadn’t.
“Are you having fun?” Ky’s new partner asked when she was dragged to the left and put in front of another man.
“I’m going to take a break. I’m hot,” she lied as she fanned herself. It dawned on her a second too late that of course a Star was warm.
Even so, he nodded vigorously, letting go and then he happily bid her to come back to dance when she was rested. Everyone took hands and moved to the right, as Ky scurried out of the crowd. Immediately, she made her way for Huntra.
The Coming Dawn Trilogy Page 11
