“You don’t have to say it. I know you’re a virgin.”
“What?” My voice cracked as panic set in. “Was it something I did? Because I’ve made out with other boys, and—”
“No, you’re perfect. But you’re a Romani, and—”
“I’m half-Romani.”
He entwined his hand with mine and kissed my inner wrist again. “You’re a teenage girl living in the Romani community. No sex before marriage. If you’re not a virgin, the boys won’t marry you. Well, the older men will marry you, but—”
“Ew.”
“You don’t like older guys?” His eyebrows rose. “How old do you think I am?”
“Twenty-two?”
He laughed as he lay back on the blanket, keeping one arm wrapped around me. “I’m much older than twenty-two.”
“You are?” I snuggled against his body, inhaling his wolf scent. “How old are you?”
“It doesn’t matter. I want to hear about those boys.”
“What boys?”
“The ones you made out with. Do any of them live in Woodlake?”
“Of course not.” I smiled. “Just a few boys in Texas. They meant nothing.”
“Good.” He closed his eyes and rested his forearm across his forehead.
I glanced up at the stars and thought about what Ethan had said earlier. “Did you help with the search today?”
“Yes. What Ethan said is true. We found Jenny’s cell phone in the woods behind the café and I caught her scent by the dock, but nothing on the ferry. There’s no record of her going to Norwood Isle.”
“Do you really think something happened to her?”
“I don’t know. It’s possible she got mixed up with the wrong guy.”
“I hope she’s okay,” I said.
I rested my hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat stop, and then start again. “There’s a rumor going around you don’t want to be Norwood’s pack alpha. Tell me it’s not true.”
“It’s not. Someone overheard my father and me talking. He wants me to choose a mate, and I refused. I told him not to push me, or he can find another pack alpha.”
I swallowed hard. “You’re choosing a mate?”
“No. He’s been bugging me about it for years, but I’m not ready.” He paused. “Are you sure you didn’t get a good look at that wolf? The one on the road last night.”
“It was too dark.”
“I promise that’ll never happen again, Sienna. I’ll never let anything bad happen to you.” He sat up, looking into the woods.
“What is it?”
“Markus is coming.” He stood and helped me to my feet. “Don’t go anywhere alone. That includes Willow’s Point. Don’t come here looking for me. Promise.”
“I promise,” I said, picking up my blanket and folding it.
“Stay close to Drina and Victor if you can.”
Markus stumbled out of the woods and fell to his knees, panting. “They’re looking for you.”
“Remember what I said. Don’t go anywhere alone.” Kaleb kissed my forehead and turned to Markus. “Make sure she gets home safely.”
“Who’s looking for you?” I asked, but it was too late.
Kaleb had already disappeared into the woods. Markus stood near the trail in wolf form, ready to escort me home.
Chapter 23
I woke on Saturday morning with a smile on my face. I hadn’t seen Kaleb since Thursday night, and the Elders didn’t want me going back to work until Sunday, but I’d found Kaleb in my dreams. We sat at the café’s outdoor seating area with the Norwood wolves. No one cared I was half-Romani, and they accepted me as his mate.
“Is that a smile on your face?” Drina entered the bedroom and yanked the curtains aside.
I rubbed my eyes, trying to remember if we’d made plans for today. She looked different; with her straight hair smoothed to one side and wearing one of the cutest outfits I’d ever seen her in. It was a white poet blouse, and a pink pleated skirt with matching pink boots. “What are you doing here?”
“You forgot, didn’t you?” She disappeared into the closet.
I glanced at the clock: 7:11 a.m.—too early to guess why she was searching in my closet. “Forgot what?”
“The Spring Bash.”
I groaned. “You never said anything about a bash.”
“I’m sure I told you.” She tossed several of her old dresses onto the bed then held one of them up. “What about this one?”
“Too short. You can put those dresses back. I’m not going.”
“C’mon, it’ll be fun. Lots of food, dancing, and the Romanies from Dover will be there.” She shoved the dresses back into the closet and came out holding several skirts and blouses. More outfits she’d left behind after marrying Victor. “I told you it’s in Dover, right? Victor’s driving us. Ethan’s meeting us there.”
“I don’t care about Ethan.” I got out of bed and went into the bathroom. Going to a party was not how I planned to spend the day, and I certainly didn’t want to see Ethan.
She poked her head into the bathroom. “It’s either go with us or stay home with my dad. He mentioned doing yard work. You can stay here and pull weeds all day.”
An entire day with Uncle Henry sounded far worse than a few hours at a Spring Bash. “What time are we leaving?”
“Ten thirty.” She held up a bracelet. It was the silver bracelet Kaleb had given me in the fortune-telling tent. The one he thought I’d lost on the boat. “I found this bracelet on your dresser. Where’d you get it?”
“I found it at the café.”
“It’s pretty. You should wear it.”
I squeezed toothpaste onto my toothbrush as she left the doorway. She came back with two other outfits. I pointed to the black skirt with the red blouse and returned to my morning routine.
* * *
Later that afternoon, we arrived in Dover. As soon as I got out of the vehicle, I realized why Drina had insisted I wear black boots. The Spring Bash was little more than large white tents surrounded by ten-foot wooden posts, in the middle of a field. Bright, twinkling lights and yellow, pink, and white balloons hung between the wooden posts. The stench of horse manure lingered in the air near the carriage rides.
Victor stayed to talk to several men at the entrance while Drina and I walked toward a large tent. Tables surrounded a makeshift dance floor in the middle of the tent, where a band strummed their instruments to a traditional Romani song. A young woman sang. I recognized her from the covers of CDs stacked in Uncle Henry’s office.
Drina wrapped an arm around my waist as we laughed and swayed our bodies from side to side. “Let’s grab some food.”
A cool breeze touched my neck as I followed Drina to another tent. Unlike the first tent, no music played here. Instead, Romanies of all ages mingled and grabbed food from buffet-style tables. It looked like a crazy feeding frenzy as arms reached across tables, grabbing whatever looked yummy.
“Get some food and meet me back at the other tent.” Drina handed me a paper plate.
I helped myself to a few appetizers and ignored anyone who seemed more interested in talking than eating. Many of the girls held empty plates as they stood beside the dessert table, mingling with the boys. I tried not to interrupt their conversation, but when I reached across the dessert table for chocolate truffles, several girls shot me dirty looks.
I pulled my hand away and waited for their conversation to finish. When they finally left, another group of girls and a guy with short black hair surrounded the table. I reached forward, grabbing a truffle as one of the girls snatched up the entire platter.
“I’ve been waiting for those.” I glared at her.
“Are you talking to me?” She tossed a truffle into her mouth and jutted out her chin.
I clenched my teeth and studied her friends who stood around the table, ready to pounce if I made the wrong move. They wore short black skirts with purple blouses and red scarves around their necks. They reminded me of the
popular girls in high school and of how cliques dressed the same. Even their hairstyles matched—short bangs with a long braid sitting on their left shoulder. Obviously, this girl was their Queen Bee, and the guy dressed in black was either a poor schmuck or her alpha male.
“Give her the truffles, sis. It’s not like you’re going to eat them all.” He tucked several cookies into his jacket pocket and flashed his pearly whites. “At least she didn’t run off like the rest of them.”
“That’s supposed to make me feel better? I told you I didn’t want to come.” She dropped the platter onto the table, sending truffles flying in all directions.
I caught a few truffles before they fell on the ground and grabbed the ones that had stayed on the platter. I was wrong. Her brother was no schmuck.
The Queen Bee stalked off toward the tent’s exit, followed by her clique. As they strutted by with their heads held high, everyone moved aside.
“Sorry. She’s having a bad week,” her brother mumbled and walked after them.
I returned to the other tent and searched for Drina. The band now played an instrumental melody while the singer signed autographs and talked to several adoring fans, including Drina, who grinned from ear to ear. She waved and pointed to Victor, who sat at one of the corner tables with two men and another person I hadn’t expected to see.
Mom.
My chest tightened when she smiled and headed my way. A sob formed in my throat as I remembered our last conversation.
“I’m sorry I didn’t come back after your accident.” Mom hugged me. “The Elders said you were okay. They told me to stay in Dover.”
“It’s okay. I’m sorry for being so rude on the phone.” I pulled away, feeling guilty. The Elders had ordered her to stay away. That’s why she hadn’t come home to check on me. She didn’t have a choice.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. Just a few stitches and some bruises. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming today?”
“I wanted to surprise you.” She surveyed me from head to toe. “You look beautiful. Did Drina help you with your makeup?”
I nodded. She knew my makeup skills were nonexistent. No way could I apply eyeshadow the way Drina did.
“Auntie Nells, are you sitting with us?” Drina hugged Mom.
Mom shook her head. “I can’t stay.”
“I haven’t seen you in weeks. How much. . .” My words trailed as tears welled up in my eyes. It wasn’t fair. We’d moved to Woodlake almost two months ago, and Mom was never around. Why couldn’t she stay and eat with us?
Drina gave Mom another hug and joined Victor at the table, leaving Mom and me alone.
“I’m sorry.” She rubbed my shoulders. “I wish I could stay, but I promised the doctor I’d see you and leave. He wants me to take it easy and get plenty of rest.”
“Are you okay?” The words came out in a whisper because I didn’t want to ask these questions. Not if the answers held bad news. “Are the treatments working?”
“Everything’s fine, honey. I’m feeling much better.”
She did look better. She wasn’t pale and weak like the last time we saw each other. At least the treatments were working; even if it meant we couldn’t be together. “When are you coming back?”
“Two more weeks, and then we’ll take that trip.” She ran her hand down my arm. “Ethan and his family could join us. It’ll give us a chance to get acquainted. How does that sound?”
I bit my lower lip. A trip with Ethan’s family sounded like a nightmare. This trip was supposed to be just the two of us. I didn’t want to hang out with Ethan or his family. If there was anyone Mom needed to get acquainted with, it was Kaleb.
But she looked excited, and I didn’t want to ruin her good mood. “Sounds like fun.”
“Good.” She squeezed my arm and looked at her watch. “I’d better get back.”
We hugged one last time before she ducked out of the tent.
I sat, breathing a sigh of relief as Ethan and Nadya stepped onto the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around her as she rested her head on his shoulder. At least I didn’t have to worry about Ethan trying to kiss me today.
“Is that Nadya and Ethan?” Drina squinted.
“Yes.” I ate the last chocolate truffle, wishing I had more.
“I can’t believe he’s dancing with her.” Her lips twisted into a frown. “He said he wanted to see you.”
“I’m not interested in Ethan.” I glanced at her plate, hoping to see chocolate truffles. No such luck. “Besides, it doesn’t matter if he wanted to see me. Everyone knows he’s dating Nadya.”
“You don’t get it.” She lowered her voice. “He doesn’t have a choice.”
I tilted my head and glanced at her sideways. “What are you talking about?”
“I overheard my dad on the phone.” She leaned closer. “It’s a done deal. You’re marrying Ethan.”
My heart sank. I barely knew the guy. We’d never even dated. How could anyone think we should marry? “That’s a funny joke. I almost believed you.”
“I’m not joking. Marriages aren’t often arranged, but it does happen. At least Ethan’s nice and he’ll be a good husband. His family has lots of money. You’ll be taken care of, and your mom—”
“No.” I yanked my arm away and jumped to my feet. That’s why Ethan’s mom made those comments about me working at the café. She needed to know if I was good enough for her son.
How could Uncle Henry do this? Did Mom know? She’d mentioned a trip with Ethan and his family. Was this part of an elaborate rouse leading up to Ethan proposing? Is that why he kissed me in the gazebo? Did he know our marriage was arranged?
Drina stood and wrapped an arm around me. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”
“I’m too young to get married. I can’t even—”
“It’s tradition.”
I shook my head. I couldn’t marry Ethan, and I didn’t care about tradition. “What if I refuse?”
“Don’t be silly.” Drina hugged me, putting her head next to mine. “Please don’t say anything. No one knows. Not even Ethan.”
“Are you sure?” I glanced at his arm still wrapped around Nadya. Of course, he didn’t know. If he knew, that arm would be wrapped around me. “Can he refuse the arrangement?”
She pulled away. “Only if they haven’t paid the daro.”
“What’s a daro?”
“It’s the bride price,” she replied. “You can’t turn him down, Sienna. It’ll shame the family.”
I fought back tears, trying to stay calm. This had to be a mistake. Uncle Henry couldn’t sell me to Ethan’s parents without talking to me. No way had Mom agreed to this. She’d promised I’d finish high school and go to college. She’d never said anything about getting married.
Mom.
I needed to find her. I needed her to explain what Drina had overheard. I needed Mom to say I didn’t have to marry Ethan, and that Uncle Henry had made a mistake.
I ran out of the tent and hurried to the parking lot, but no sign of Mom anywhere. With tears streaking down my face, I walked back to the Spring Bash and thought of Kaleb. I needed to see him. He knew about the Romanies and their rules and could tell me how to get out of this. He’d agree I couldn’t marry Ethan.
“Are you okay?”
I glanced up to find the Queen Bee’s brother offering an old-fashioned handkerchief, with the initials G.S stitched in purple. He looked uneasy as people walked by, whispering and shaking their heads.
“Thanks.” I grabbed the handkerchief and wiped my eyes. “I bet I’m having a worse day than your sister.”
“I doubt that.” He rubbed the back of his neck as more people slowed their pace and gawked at us. “I guess you’re not having fun?”
“You could say that.” I held out the handkerchief.
“Keep it. It’ll bring you good luck.”
“A lucky handkerchief?” I smiled and ran my fingers along the stitched initials. “What’s th
e G.S stand for?”
Two men approached us and shouted several Romani words. They looked angry.
The only word I understood was bibaxt, which meant bad luck. Did these men think talking to me would bring the Queen Bee’s brother bad luck?
“You should go.” The older man grabbed my wrist. “No talk.”
I pulled my arm away and spat on the ground next to his boots. “Touch me again and I’ll curse you. Amari. Amari.”
Amari was the Romani word for curse.
The two men looked at each other with wide eyes and walked off, yelling at the other people nearby. Soon, everyone returned to what they were doing and left us alone.
“Amari?” The Queen Bee’s brother frowned. “You’re a witch?”
I laughed. “Of course not. I said that so—”
“Sienna, what are you doing?” Ethan placed an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“I was looking for my mom.” I pushed Ethan’s arm away. “Have you seen her?”
“No.” Ethan’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the Queen Bee’s brother. “She’s taken.”
The Queen Bee’s brother winked at me. “I’m around if you need anything.”
“Thanks. It was nice meeting you,” I called after him as he left.
“Are you crazy?” Ethan shook his head. “You never go near a witch.”
“Witch?” I glanced at the handkerchief in my hand. “How was I supposed to know he’s a witch? It’s not like he’s flying around on a broom.”
“They don’t fly around on brooms,” Ethan said. “I don’t like the way he looked at you. What did he want?”
“Nothing. He was being nice.” I tucked the handkerchief into my boot and crossed my arms. “Why were you looking for me?”
“My dad and Henry talked last night. They agreed I’d stay in Woodlake until they find your missing friend. I’m supposed to keep an eye on you.”
I looked away, debating if I should tell him what Drina had said. He should know the real reason his dad and Uncle Henry wanted him to keep an eye on me.
Romani Blood (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 1) Page 15
