The light was fading as she and Darag circled around the clearing, swords held at ready. This was no longer instruction but full out testing. Darag was patient and waited until she moved, defending first and then moving smoothly to an offense. She knew that and baited him, acting to strike fast and having retracted when his sword moved to block. He found only air and over extended himself.
He gathered himself quickly, but he was caught off guard. Lavinia’s volley kept him defensive. She left an opening, hoping he would take it. Again she wasn’t there when he moved to strike. Instead she slid beneath his blade and lightly rapped hers across his stomach. She had won. Lavinia stood panting lightly in the cooling evening air. When Darag looked up at her in surprise, she was grinning.
He tossed back his head and laughed, scooping her up in a dancing hug. Lavinia laughed as well, full of the flush of having beaten her teacher. Until she became aware of his solid chest and strong arms against her back. They stopped moving, the laughter caught in both their throats.
Darag made as if to release her, then brushed the hair out of her eyes instead. The bright green was shaded but not confused. His brow was wrinkled in thought but he did not say anything. They stood together for the space of five heartbeats caught between letting go and holding on.
“Are we friend’s again?”
He blinked startled. “I hadn’t realized we were not.”
A bit of sadness pulled at her mouth. He stopped the frown with a touch, closing his eyes briefly as he exhaled a breath.
“I did not mean . . . it is just that we should not . . . .” He couldn’t seem to finish either sentence. A line formed across his forehead. “The Kith rarely have action without intention. It is our way.” He paused again.
“I know.” Darag raised an eyebrow, faint amusement glinting in his green eyes. Lavinia took a breath. “I spoke to Laith Lus this morning.”
Worry swept across Darag’s face. His eyes slid off hers. She held onto his upper arms as he meant to step back. “He said not to worry about everyone’s expectations.”
Darag stopped pulling away, watching her intently. She exhaled a laugh.
“Actually, I think he just said not to worry and just try to bring some fun because the Kith tend to be too serious.”
The corners of Darag’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “That is entirely true.” He breathed again, a slow expansion of his chest. His eyes did not leave hers.
“So, we are to be friends then? Is that what you want. And not to worry what else is thought or . . . expected?”
Lavinia smiled, her heart buzzing in her chest caught in the cage of his arms. “Yes, I think that is a fine place to start.”
Darag’s smile was slow, starting from a wry twist but evolving slowly to enfold his mouth and warming his eyes as he took in her face. “Okay then, we shall try that.”
He looked around the clearing now cast more in evening than afternoon. “It is late. Dinner will have started. We should go back.”
“Will you stay tonight?” Neither of them had moved yet.
Darag let out a breath and looked down at her. There was glowing brightness in his eyes. “Yes, I will.”
CHAPTER 22
CHOICES
“I thought you liked my brother?”
Beite had been silent on the walk back to her gently swaying home. Deep evening filled the forest, hiding the massive trunks so that only portions were visible like misplaced towering walls. The darkness was alive with flickering light and rustling leaves.
Lavinia’s gait approached a dance despite the late hour. Her soul was alive, lit up like it held all the luminescent creatures within Lus na Sithchaine. Beite was by contrast quiet, her thoughtful gaze on the ground ahead.
Lavinia glanced over at her young hostess. “I do.”
“But then why . . . Laireag?” Beite looked at her with delicate brows furrowed.
Lavinia smiled warmly at the girl. “I don’t have to choose anyone.”
The words made Lavinia want to twirl. She crossed her arms over her chest to hold herself back. Beite looked at her like she had announced she wanted to marry a dragon.
“Don’t you see? That is what Laith Lus meant, I think. I’m only here for a week more, Beite. I don’t have to choose anyone. It isn’t just about being the right age, but it has to be the right time too.”
Beite’s eyes widened slightly. Her lower lip trembled and she glanced away. “Yes, I suppose. I forgot you were leaving, or maybe it just didn’t seem so real.” She paused, glancing over at Lavinia. “You’ll come back, won’t you?”
“Oh yes, I’ll come back. I promise.”
None of the Kith had known what to make of her and Darag when they had come back from sword practicing side by side, both sweaty and laughing. Knowing looks had been passed over their heads with quiet smiles. Then Lavinia had chosen to sit across from Cuileann and next to Beite at dinner. After a brief moment, Darag asked if he could join her. Lavinia had barely flicked him a look as she nodded. The whispering had started and had not stopped.
Cuileann had glanced at them both with an easy smile of greeting, his look lingering slightly longer on Lavinia.
“How goes the lessons?”
“Good, she beat me today too.”
Cuileann had grinned. “Good, I think it is time someone bested you.”
Darag had grinned back, laughing softly as his gaze fell to the table. He had glanced at Lavinia as a few other Kith had laughed at Cuileann’s jest. She had raised an eyebrow, pretending to lord the victory over him. The look and Darag’s blush had won a few more laughs. Looking up, Lavinia had crossed her gaze with Laith Lus’ warm smile. He had winked at her. The night had spun off quickly form there.
Lavinia had not ignored Darag, but she had not ignored anyone else either. Though her heart had pounded so hard she thought her hands would shake, she had turned from Darag’s green eyes to take a plate from Cuileann. Someone else gave her steaming cider. It took a moment, but Darag had leaned close to her. His breath had brushed her cheek as he whispered, “I see you’ve become quite popular.”
She had meant to just glance at him from the corner of her eye, but when she found his laughing green eyes so close, the rest of the table and Kith had faded into the night. Her lips had stretched into a smile.
“It’s easier than hunting down everything I want at the other end of the table.”
Darag had laughed softly. He never had a problem getting her attention from anyone else during the meal. Even when Laireag had managed to steal Cuileann’s seat when he was off looking for a plate of bread, she had felt Darag’s presence next to her.
Reassured, Beite’s pixie face broke into a smirk. “It was funny watching Darag flirt. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him do so before.”
In the morning, Laireag came and found her at Beite’s as they were just getting ready to leave for Suileag’s. He had hot rolls and a long bow slung over his shoulder. Laireag’s coloring was all grays and blacks, jet black hair, dark grey eyes, and patterned skin darker than an ash tree. He held himself with power and his gaze was intense like a building storm. Beite let out a long sigh seeing him standing at her door.
“I thought you might like to do something different today?” He nodded to the bow he carried as he handed them both the sweetbread.
“Archery?” Lavinia blinked. “I don’t see why not.”
Cuileann found them after an hour, just as Lavinia was getting fairly good at hitting a close target. The bow was strong and hard to pull, but the years of hauling rope and sailing had kept Lavinia stronger than she appeared. She didn’t take to the archery as easily as sword fighting, but Laireag was pleased.
Laireag seemed to be able to hit anything he wished. Cuileann spread his open hands when Laireag offered the bow to him.
“I know better. There is no out matching you in this.” Laireag gave Cuileann a feral smile which Cuileann returned with easy humor. Cuileann seemed to have no doubts that his best skills lay i
n other directions. Lavinia chuckled.
She liked Laireag. After the morning spent with him, she could see herself becoming fast friends if they had more time together. The air crackled around him and he stood in its center with complete ease. It made her wonder how much power Darag wielded as he was considered more skilled.
Cuileann she liked as one liked a close cousin or younger brother. His antics made her smile. He was unafraid to try to rile Laireag, despite the sudden feeling of impending lightening that Laireag’s gaze could throw. It was an entirely unexpected and pleasant morning.
She had the bow drawn for a further shot when Darag joined them. She felt his presence before she saw him, aware of him standing quietly a pace to her right as if he were a stone in her consciousness. She flicked a glance at him before looking back to the target. Lavinia let the arrow fly. It barely struck the wooden plank. She sighed.
“You are a distraction.”
She wasn’t looking at Darag when she said it, but the three Kith knew whom she meant. Laireag raised an eyebrow at Darag, a look of challenge in his eye. Laireag held out the bow.
Darag was still grinning when he took it. He notched the arrow and drew the bow in one movement. Even the breeze stilled as he narrowed his eyes, focusing on the last target. The string twanged when Darag let the arrow fly. The shaft sank halfway into the center of the furthest piece of marked wood, sending it off its perch with a frontward flip.
“I see I don’t distract you though,” Lavinia said with a tinge of disappointment.
Darag looked over at her, one eyebrow raised. “Actually, I usually miss.”
The same smile crossed both of their faces.
“Are you going to practice sword fighting today?” Cuileann asked, hungry for a different sport.
“Why?” Lavinia asked, “Are you going to help?”
Fighting more than one opponent ended up being a fantastic lesson. The four of them made a good afternoon out of crossing swords, fighting off two against two or with one watching while one faced off the other two.
Lavinia was stalking Darag again, both of them only aware of each other with a keen eye to making a strike when Beite stepped between them hands on her hips.
“You are going to be too tired for the dance.”
Cuileann and Laireag were laughing. After her initial surprise, Lavinia laughed too realizing that Niri and Ria were there as well. Darag looked to have a mind to teach his sister a lesson about how to use a sword, but she danced away before he could move.
“You really know how to use that thing now,” Ria said as she gave Lavinia a hug.
“I’m getting there.” Lavinia’s glance slid beyond to Niri.
“Don’t worry about your brother,” Niri told her gently.
“Yes, Skree is taking him fishing,” Ria told her.
“Fishing?”
“Yes, apparently the full moon when it is great is when the largest fish rise from the depths and the best time to catch them.”
Lavinia greeted Niri’s words with a disbelieving look.
“Really, he looked fairly . . . content to be going,” Ria reassured her.
Beite did not let them linger very long. She was insistent in the need to prepare. Lavinia left the practice area with the sudden worry Darag would not go. Her eyes turned back for a moment to where he stood flanked by Laireag and Cuileann. She could not read anything with her quick look. Laireag’s voice reached her faintly.
“It doesn’t mean we have to stop practicing.”
Lavinia was quiet as the four women gathered in Beite’s house, filling the small rooms and overwhelming the sounds of the leaves rustling. Niri had brought a simple dress of dark blue that faded violet at its hem. The cloth was soft but wasn’t silk or satin. Ria raised her eyebrows at the choice.
“I’m not comfortable in anything fancy. Too many years in the Church, I suppose.”
“It is a change from that shirt and skirt you wore in Dion!” Ria giggled.
Lavinia barely managed a smile. Beite was trying to convince her to wear one dress after another, pointing out embroidery or color that would match her eyes. The idea of a dance was less appealing to her than it had been the day before.
“You shouldn’t worry about your brother. I think he’ll like fishing more than dancing anyway.”
“What? Oh,” Lavinia’s startled eyes focused back on the room and its occupants. As her three friends realized that Lavinia had not been thinking about her brother, they began to smile. Lavinia blushed until her cheeks felt like they would catch Beite’s house afire.
“Cuileann?” Beite guessed.
“Laireag, I think.” Ria said with a smile.
“Oh no, it has been Darag from the first.” Lavinia blushed harder at Niri’s soft but teasing tone. Beite and Ria glanced to where Niri watched Lavinia. Hope lit Beite’s eyes while Ria’s eyebrows rose.
Lavinia threw herself on the bed, picking up a dress and twisting the fabric in her hands. “Do you think your brother will even come tonight?”
Beite sat next to Lavinia, putting her hands over Lavinia’s. Her expression was sweet, but tinged with sadness.
“I don’t know. He rarely dances. If he comes it will be to see you.”
Lavinia felt the sting of tears in her eyes.
“I thought you said you were not serious . . . that you don’t need to choose.”
Lavinia shook her head, unable to answer for a moment. She took a hand and wiped a tear from eyelashes.
“I didn’t meant to . . . I don’t intend to. I just . . . ,” Lavinia looked from Beite to Niri to Ria earnestly.
“Choose?” Ria asked, perching on the edge of the bed.
“This sounds serious,” Niri agreed as she pulled over a chair.
CHAPTER 23
DECISIONS
The wooden sword cracked against his with force but Darag held his ground. Laireag was quiet when he sparred, his concentration a turbulent cloud difficult to predict. Darag had not often fought with Cuileann or Laireag. They were younger than him and had grown into their own while he had traveled to the Sea of Sarketh. He was finding himself enjoying the afternoon far more than he had expected.
“You know you have to go tonight?”
Darag was so startled that he paused. He ducked a thrust just before it would have connected with his head. He glared at Cuileann. The second moment of inattention lost him the match. Laireag didn’t look pleased about it though.
“Damn it, Cuileann. I wanted to beat him for once.”
“You did,” Darag said as he picked himself off the forest floor. Laireag had downed him with a sweep to the legs that had sent him sprawling.
“Fairly,” Laireag growled. The air around him threatened a scorching. He sighed as he swung the tension of the match out of his arms. “He’s right though, you have to go tonight.”
Darag decided to stay where he was sitting. “I don’t know what I’m doing,” he said, rubbing his fingers across his eyes. He only just caught the look Laireag and Cuileann gave each other. Laireag offered Darag his hand and pulled him to his feet.
“I don’t think that is a phrase I ever thought I’d hear from you.”
“Though I’m not surprised it would be due to a woman,” Cuileann said with a grin. “They make your head spin.”
“Don’t worry, I intend to go,” Darag said irritably. “I’m even considering having fun, but haven’t decided on that yet.” He gave Laireag and Cuilean a wry smile with the lift of an eyebrow.
Laireag chuckled deeply, giving Darag a sideways jab to the shoulder. Darag gave a half smile as he gazed downward, serious again.
“You know she’ll be gone in a week? There is no point to this. We’ve agreed to just be friends.”
“That may be what you’ve said in words,” Laireag said. Darag sighed.
As they walked back to Lus na Sithchaine, Darag broke the silence between them.
“You are wrong,” he said glancing at Laireag who walked to his left. “I
’ve never known what I was doing. I’ve just known what direction to go in.”
“And what direction should you take now?”
Darag frowned, looking ahead into the gathering shadows. “I don’t know. Day is night to me when I’m around her.”
Cuileann gave a snort. “Then, my friend, do the opposite of what you think you should.”
As the evening thickened, Darag paced. He found himself walking to the door of his house nestled high in the trees, turning on his heel and walking back in. Indecision was not like him, nor anxiousness. He felt both now. He wanted to see Lavinia. He didn’t think he should.
There was no one to ask council of. His father had been gone for the last thirty years. Laith Lus had taken him in, understood the restlessness he felt while everyone else seemed content in the Forest of Falin. But he sensed this was not a time where Laith Lus would give him advice even if he asked it. This was something he had to work out on his own.
He stopped in his door, gazing out as he leaned against the door jamb. “Why did you have to come?” He whispered to the night wind. The breeze died, leaving silence in the trees. Emptiness contracted his chest. He remembered before, the feeling of restlessness rising again. For the last week it had been pushed aside by the warmth her laughter brought.
Darag pushed himself away from the door, running his hand through his hair. A smile dawned on his lips. He could hear his sister’s voice ringing in his head. He was late.
The evening meal had been pushed aside to an open banquet. The grassy expanse of the clearing stretched in the light of the greater moon. It thronged with people. Dancers twirled in the center, swirling in a left turning vortex of motion and motes of light. Along the outskirts, he found Cuileann.
The camaraderie of the afternoon was gone. Cuileann glanced up, eyes connecting with Darag’s. Cuilean shifted, causing Lavinia who stood before him to turn her back to Darag. She had not seen him. Cuileann flashed Darag a grin and wink. Darag returned a feral smile. Friendly rivalry promised to add to the night.
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