Rogue Made

Chapter 1

“Cricket!” Pereira called my name and I froze in place. The sparks continued to crackle blue and purple at my fingertips. “Now, Cricket!” Sighing, I flicked my fingers, letting the sparks die before wiping the digits on my shirt. I ran up the hill to the small house. The house was on a large plot of farmland, surrounded on three sides. The fourth was a steep hill that led to the river that, if followed, would take one all the way to the sea. It was chilly, as winter crept slowly upon the village. The building itself, meant to house five or six, housed thirteen of us. My family was huge, and I was the youngest and smallest, hence the name.

“Cricket’s here.” I stepped on the rickety porch.

"Surprise!” My family shouted at me as I entered the house. I must have jumped a mile. Golden sparks flew out of my skin as shock and fright took over my power.

“Don’t scare Cricket like that!” I whined as the twelve other people crammed in the house laughed and clapped happily. I pouted and folded my arms over my chest. Pereira, my eldest sister, hugged me tightly.

“You’re eighteen now!” She grinned. She was the responsible one. The one Mum and Da could depend on. Ahlf, her husband, was just the same. They were in the midst of building a house on the plot of land Ahlf had. Her pregnancy simply made the job take a little longer. I looked around at my family. Memaw and Papaw sat on the old rickety loveseat. Mum and Da were pulling an overly large cinnamon bun out of the oven. Venhedas and Eaie were guarding the small pile of presents from each other. They were the fun couple. They had only been married a year, yet they acted like an old married couple, snapping at each other playfully for no reason. Basra and Kelty were laughing at Melo and Eiryn, the twins, as they tackled me. Pereira gingerly sat at Ahlf’s feet as he strummed his guitar. Her baby made her slow. She hummed along with the melody he picked out. She had a beautiful singing voice.

“Happy birthday, Cricket!” The twins were only two years older than me, but sometimes they acted like a pair of two-year-olds. Eiryn looked at Melo with a grin.

“D’ya think she’ll like our gift?” He asked.

“Of course!” Melo shoved her twin. I was really close to Melo. The twins didn’t look the same at all despite all that they acted the same. Eiryn had the strong, masculine, handsome features of Da while Melo had the strong, feminine, beauty of Mum. Both Pereira and Eaie took after Mum as well. Basra wrapped his arms around Melo and pulled her off me. Basra had dark hair, dark skin, and dark eyes, and yet he was as bright as the sun, but as calm as the moon. He managed to have a calming effect on Melo, probably through the fact that he wasn’t very loud. Kelty had the same effect on Eiryn. She had golden hair and blue eyes that Eiryn was obsessed with. Just like Pereira and Ahlf, they were both building houses, only Eiryn’s was just on the other side of the farm, since he was the only son and had inherited part of the land.

“Cricket should open her gifts first.” I said.

“While we wait for the bun to cool.” Mum added. Instantly, the family settled. It was the prospect of sweets, I guess. Mum stood, leaning against the doorway to the kitchen with Da at her feet. Both were visions of black hair, darkly tanned skin, and brown eyes. Eiryn and Melo sat next to each other with Kelty and Basra on either end. Both couples cuddled up, being all couple-y and annoying and gross. Eaie and Venhedas leaned against the wall, poking each other and being obnoxious. I sat in front of the small pile of paper-wrapped gifts. Only two of them looked like boxes. I looked up at Mum expectantly. She nodded and I tore into the first package. We weren’t exceptionally well off, what with building three other houses at the same time and all, but Pereira’s house was nearly done; they would move in before winter truly set in.

“Cricket loves scarves!” I pulled out a long, decorative scarf with turquoise beads. I really did love scarves. I wore several tied together around my waist for decoration. They swirled around my legs when I twisted. I quickly added the new scarf to my belt, happily.

“I made it myself.” Eaie winked at me. I unwrapped a small box next. The glittering emerald necklace that Memaw treasured sat inside.

“Memaw! Cricket doesn’t deserve this!” I gaped at the woman. She was 67 but she could still boss everyone around just as easily as when she was 20.

“Cricket, you have always loved it. Even more than your three sisters combined.” She said.

“Memaw!” Pereira, Melo, and Eaie chorused, all shocked.

“Hush.” She smiled, smugly. “Take it, dear, with my blessing.” The largest bundle revealed a well-worn saddle. I stared, wide-eyed.

“Is this…?”

“Xiu is yours.” Pereira smiled. “The twins and I talked to Iain and he’s agreed to give him to you.”

“The spouses helped.” Kelty spoke up.

“Cricket…” My eyes brimmed with tears and the realization of what they had done hit me. “Doesn’t know what to say.”

“Say ‘thank you’.” The twins chorused.

“We did it for you, Crickie.” Ahlf smiled.

“Iain also wants credit.” Basra added in his deep baritone.

“Cricket is so thankful! And happy!” I swallowed back my tears of joy.

“Keep going.” Venhedas nodded at the last, small box. A small gold ring sat in a bed of velvet. I looked up at Mum and Da.

“You are eighteen, little one.” Da smiled. “It is time for you to marry.” I knew it was coming. All four of my siblings married at eighteen. I had been knitting a sweater all summer for my future husband.

“Who?” I tried to halt the sinking feeling in my gut. I wouldn’t be taken away from my family.

“Ellery.” Mum said, happily. Ellery was the most handsome, talented, and charming young man in the village. How on earth did Mum manage to wrangle him?

“Good den, Janjua!” The common greeting accompanied the horse hooves. Everyone stood up, projecting the amount of strength in the house.

“Come, Cricket.” Da said. We filed out of the house to greet the visitor. It was odd. Usually only one person was required to greet someone.

“Good den, Serannas.” Papaw spoke as I was shoved to the front of the group. My heart sank as I saw them. Iain, the eldest son of the village chief, dismounted his horse. He was Ellery’s older brother, and heir to the richest family in the village. No doubt Ellery would be just as rich. Ellery also dismounted from his horse, but my gaze fell on the stallion between the two brothers. Without thinking, which is how I usually did things, I walked to Xiu and began petting him, examining the black hair intimately. Iain cleared his throat, and I realized that what I had done was inappropriate. I wasn’t very good at catching social…well, anything.

“Cricket, Xiu is now yours. Think of him as an early wedding present.” He said, gently. I nodded, unwilling to speak. My grammar unnerved people and so, many of the village thought me a mute.

“Crickie.” Mum’s voice was gentle, but brooked no argument. “Go get your gift for Ellery.” Silently, I hurried into the house. The conversation continued without me. I scooped up the small box and hurried to the cubby beside the mat I slept on. I pulled out the sweater I spent my summer on and sighed. It was beautiful, but I didn’t think Ellery would think so. I walked back to the door, but froze as I heard my sister practically yelling.

“– doesn’t matter! She needs patience and compassion!” Melo snapped.

“I will not brutalize her!” Ellery said, angrily. They were arguing about me. I peered out of the door. My whole family was tall, even those that married into it. They were all strong, good farmhands. Iain and Ellery were no different. They were golden. Golden hair, golden skin, golden eyes… many of the girls in the village called them angels. I was different though. I had, somehow, been born short, with red-ish, gold-ish, brown-ish hair and bright green eyes and slightly tanned skin. And I could produce sparks from my skin.

“Melo!” Memaw finally spoke. “Calm yourself. Cricket’s betrothed is part of the family. You do not speak to family in that manner.”

“Likewise to you, young Ellery.” Papaw was 72, the oldest man in the village. Everyone respected him. Ellery looked slightly ashamed and bowed politely.

“I apologize. I lost my head.” He said.

“I, as well.” Melo nodded.

“This is the best arrangement for everyone.” Iain said.

“Cricket needs to get out of this house.” Mum added. “She’s not thriving here.”

“The debt you owed me, you now owe my daughter.” Da said. “Your life for hers. If you do not care for her, I will know that you do not value your life. I will take back the gift I gave you.”

“I promise I will keep your daughter safe.” Ellery swore, nodding to Da. I couldn’t focus after that. Da had saved Ellery’s life! That was why he was marrying me! He owed my father a life-debt. And he was taking me away from my family. I couldn’t leave my family! The box clunked as it hit the ground. The sweater slid from my fingers and Basra turned to see my shocked and horrified expression. Time and sensation were suspended for what seemed like a millennium. Basra said my name, I think; I couldn’t hear anything. Everyone turned at once and I bolted. The instant I was out of the kitchen window, time caught up with me. People were calling after me, footsteps thudded as they hit the ground, but I had always been faster than my family. I sprinted away from the house, trying to get away from that awful situation. Maybe it was all a dream. Maybe I would wake up and it would be better.

“Cricket! Come back!” Melo’s voice was faint as I tore through the fields. If I could just reach the forest…

“Cricket!” I heard the dreaded sound of hoof beats as I entered the trees. Ellery was chasing after me. Of all people, why him? Oh right, because he owed my father a life-debt. I couldn’t outrun a horse, so when he called for me again, his voice was closer. The horse swerved in front of me, trying to halt my flight. I hesitated for a fraction of a second before continuing on my path, ducking into a roll as I slipped under Ellery’s mount.

“Cricket!” Ellery’s voice was too near, too close… I tore through the underbrush, trying to stay away from the man taking everything away from me. The horse pulled up beside me and I was jerked off the ground and thrown over the saddle. I kicked and fought as Ellery tried to turn the horse around. My struggle, though, agitated the mare enough that she halted and reared, trying to get me off. Ellery held on, but I slid off. Ellery jumped off the horse and grabbed my wrist.

“Let Cricket go!” I shouted, trying to pull out of his grip.

“Cricket, calm down.” He was breathless and he stood a full head taller than me.

“Cricket doesn’t want to leave her family!” I was crying and hysterical. It was just not fair! Why did my siblings get to live at home?

“Why are you talking like that?” Ellery didn’t even move as I struggled against his grip.

"Cricket has to! She can’t speak any other way!” I finally freed my wrist, but my momentum threw me to the ground.

"Just calm down.” Ellery held his hands in surrender, a look of confusion written all over his face. I took a deep breath and glared at him. “We’re getting married whether we want to or not.” He sighed. “I owe your father a life-debt, and this is what he wants. There’s no way you can fit another person inside that house.”

"Cricket won’t leave her family.” I snapped. “Pereira and Ahlf will be moving out soon because of the baby.”

"And what about Eaie, who is also pregnant?” Ellery asked. She wasn’t even showing yet.

"Their house is not yet complete.” I sighed, pouting.

"Exactly. Thirteen is too many for that hovel.” Ellery tried to calm me down. “And I will not live in a hovel.”

"Why? Too dirty for Ellery?” I snapped.

“No, just too impersonal.” Ellery retorted.

"Sorry that love is too impersonal for Ellery!”

“Stop talking that way!”

“Cricket can’t!”

“Bull shit!”

“Ellery!” Iain approached on his horse, stopping mere feet away. Ellery approached his brother.

“Iain, I can’t do it. She is too… impossible to deal with!” Ellery begged. “Please, help me out of this!”

"Ellery,” Iain sighed, “You owe a life-debt to her family. You have to. Besides, maybe you’ll learn patience and compassion.” I snorted. Ellery glared at me. “And perhaps some humility.”

 “Fine!” Ellery leapt on his horse and rode off. Iain slid off his horse and offered me a hand. I stared at it for a long time before taking it. When I was standing he smiled gently at me.

“Ellery is a pain in the ass.” He offered. “Always has been. He requires more patience than a stubborn mule.”

“Ellery is a stubborn mule.” I grunted. Iain laughed.

“I cannot argue with you there.”

“Cricket?” Da arrived with all the men at his heels.

“She’s fine. Ellery was just being himself.” Iain sighed. “I apologize for his actions.”

“Don’t. Cricket probably didn’t help.” Da gave me that look. “Little one, you know better than to run off like that.”       

“Da sold Cricket.” I glared. “Da didn’t want to deal with Cricket and her strangeness. He doesn’t want her.”

"Little one…” Da sighed. “You are being completely irrational.”

“At least Cricket isn’t selling her family because she doesn’t love them!”

“Little one, do not speak to me that way.” Da used his warning voice on me. I stormed off, back towards the house, angry and hurt. How could he? I thought he loved me! And that Ellery! I would rather die that marry that jerk! Abruptly, a large weight fell on my shoulders and I looked up to see Venhedas.

“He loves you, Crickie.” He said. “He really does. It broke his heart when Mum convinced him to use is life-debt to get Ellery for you.” He wasn’t born into the family, but Mum had refused to go by any other name.

“Cricket does not believe Venhedas.” I said.

“I know.” The man sighed. “But you will someday.”

"Crickie, you’ll be fine with Ellery.” Ahlf joined us as we walked the fields.

"No, Cricket will not.” I frowned. “Ellery is a jerk and not nice to Cricket.”

“He’s always been that way.” Eiryn said, hopping on my other side. “But you’ll kick his ass enough that he’ll grow up.”

“Maybe you can learn from him.” Basra spoke.

“What could Cricket possibly learn from Ellery?” I asked.

“Maturity.” The four men all spoke at the same time.

"Cricket’s brothers are mean to her!” I whined. They laughed.

“Only because we love you, Crickie.” Eiryn rubbed his knuckles into my scalp. I squeaked and squirmed around so I was on Venhedas’ other side.

“Eiryn should go bother Kelty instead of Cricket.” I pouted.

“Ahlf should go take care of Pereira.” Eiryn grinned, turning to our older brother.

“The both of you should grow up.” Ahlf smiled.

“Eh, maybe later.” Eiryn laughed.

"Maybe never.” I replied. We all laughed. I was going to miss them. Ellery was right. I didn’t have a choice.

“Crickie, are you all right?” Eaie hugged me tight when we got back to the house.

“Cricket is okay.” I shrugged.

“You should be nicer to your fiancé.” Pereira said, hands on her swollen belly.

“Or, you could be meaner to him and help him learn some manners.” Melo grinned.

“Melo!” Mum gasped.

“What?” She laughed. Basra picked her up and threw her over his shoulder before walking off, disappearing into the trees. They did that frequently.

“Basra! Put me down! Where are we going? Basra!” Melo squealed. Kelty and Eaie shared a look that I wasn’t sure I wanted to understand.

“Cricket, help us cut this cinnamon bun.” Mum said, beckoning me inside.

---

“You look gorgeous, Cricket.” Memaw smiled at me, helping clasp the emerald necklace around my neck.

“Cricket doesn’t think so.” I mumbled. My wedding day was supposed to be celebratory, but Ellery and I hadn’t seen each other since we fought. I didn’t particularly care because he was a jerk, but I also didn’t want to have to deal with it any longer. I was also sad, because I would be leaving my family to live on a trapper’s cabin on the opposite side of the village.

“You should.” Eaie helped smooth out my dress. It was the dress we had been working on for months. It was green with one long, billowy sleeve that draped off my right shoulder. My other arm was bare, adorned only with the tattoos I’d had since I could remember. My right leg had matching tattoos. The skirt was beautiful and had three layers. The innermost part comprised of several light green strips. The middle layer had several medium green strips that just slightly overlapped the light green ones. The outermost layer was the same emerald green as the top with several strips that overlapped the medium green ones. The end result was a combination of showing off my legs without revealing anything. I was surprised Memaw agreed to the design we arranged. I was also surprised no one insisted I wear a coat, because the first snows were soon to fall.

“Crickie, you should be happy.” Pereira was sitting in the old rocking chair; her child had grown heavy and she was having a hard time moving around.

“Yes, you only get your wedding day once.” Melo agreed.

“Cricket is glad for that.” I said sardonically.

“Ellery isn’t that bad.” Mum said. I shrugged.

“Little one.” I turned to see Da with tears in his eyes. I ran to him and hugged him tightly.

“Cricket is sorry, Da. She didn’t mean what she said.” We hadn’t spoken in the month it had taken to finish the arrangements for the wedding.

“I know, little one.” Da hugged me. “I know.”

“Cricket loves Da.” I murmured.

“I love you, too.” He smiled.

“We have to go, or we’ll be late.” Ahlf said, poking his head into the house. He smiled at me. “You look beautiful, Cricket.” Eiryn and Basra helped herd us outside to the wagon pulled by two of our horses. Everyone was dressed in his or her finery, and it was odd to see. I was seated in the wagon between Pereira and Eaie. The rest of my family piled in, squishing together as so not to disturb the two pregnant women and the bride. Venhedas drove the horses, occasionally looking back to check on his wife.

“Finally.” Mum sighed, happily, as we crossed the river and approached the center of the village. The road became cobbled and the buildings were close together. There were people everywhere. Weddings were sacred and very, very popular. Torches burned despite the fact it was barely twilight. The people had not yet begun to drink, but I had no doubt it would happen barely after the ceremony finished. The wagon halted and we were let off, into the crowd. There was a circle of emptiness around me as if I had a barrier keeping everyone away from me. I was never very popular. There were lots of smiles despite that and several glares from jealous, eligible girls.

“Cricket, come.” Mum herded me through the crowd toward the raised dais.

“Welcome, everyone!” Bann Serannas, Iain’s and Ellery’s father stood on the platform with his sons at his shoulders. Rivaini, Iain’s wife, and Mikal and Deni, his two sons stood a little ways behind them. People hushed to hear the village chief speak. “We welcome Cricket Janjua into our family through the bonds of marriage with our kin, Ellery Serannas.” The formal words announced the beginning of the ceremony. Iain and his family stepped down from the dais and the crowd parted for Da and I to walk up the stairs to join Ellery and his father. I tried not to focus on the eyes that stared at my tattooed skin. If I focused on the staring, I’d panic.

“We welcome Ellery Serannas into our family through the bonds of marriage with our kin, Cricket Janjua.” Da was the head of the family even though Papaw was older because Papaw was Mum’s father. Papaw was an Elder anyway. Ellery was staring at me in surprise, and I had no idea why. Maybe it was my skin. I hadn’t started sparking, though, so it must have been my tattoos. No one liked them. They were foreign and odd. I turned to Bann, who, as village chief, would conduct the ceremony.

“Cricket Janjua, you have promised to love, live for, and obey Ellery Serannas as your husband, and to produce children for him and take care of him with all of your might.” Bann said.

“Cricket promises.” I said, quietly enough so only my family and Ellery’s family at the base of the dais would hear me.

“Ellery Serannas, you have promised to love, life for, and obey Cricket Janjua as your wife, and to help give children to her and take care of her with all of your might.”

“I promise.” Ellery’s voice was also soft. His eyes never left me. It was unsettling.

“Take hands.” Bann ordered. Our right hands gripped and the bright red ribbon was tied around the joined digits. “Red, the color of passion and faithfulness. May you two always have love for each other.” Our left hands clasped. The gold ribbon nearly matched Ellery’s skin color. “Gold, the color of life and happiness. May you two live long and prosperously together.”

“Cricket swears to always be by Ellery’s side as a faithful wife.” I said, softly.

“I swear to always be by Cricket’s side as a faithful husband.” Ellery spoke. His gaze was unnerving.

“Thus,” Bann placed his hands on our heads gently, “The pair is bonded for life.” He stepped back. “You may kiss your bride.” Ellery sighed under his breath and stepped towards me. I fought the urge to step away. His warm breath fluttered over my skin for an instant before he kissed me.

Instantly, everything in the world stopped. Every nerve in my body was a live wire, ready to explode. I could feel the sparks in my gut and fought them down. Showing off strangeness in front of the entire village was a Not Good Thing. But Ellery’s lips… Our mouths moved as one and his tongue gently teased my lips, tempting, not demanding. It was passionate and fiery and… perfect. Our lips disconnected and my eyes fluttered open to see his slightly dazed look. The world caught up with us and people were cheering and screaming; some girl was crying. Bann stepped up to us and cut the ribbons from our hands, then tying the pieces to our individual wrists. We would only have to wear them for the rest of the evening.

“My people!” Bann spoke over the cheering. “Welcome our newest couple into the village!” Thus, the ceremony was over and the drinking began. Ellery offered his arm and I took it. Electricity shot through my arm from my fingertips; it felt almost as if my sparks were starting again, but not the same at all. I glanced at him as he stiffened. His face remained blank and I felt a little annoyed by it.

“Come, Cricket.” He said, a little tightly. I nodded. We stepped down from the dais and I struggled not to trip or do something stupid or… Rivaini and Iain stepped up to us, handing us mugs of ale. Tradition or something. I didn’t drink, but Ellery obviously did since he practically inhaled the drink.

“It is nice to have you in the family.” Rivaini said, hugging me lightly. “Mikal, Deni, this is Aunt Cricket.”

“She has a funny name.” Mikal, only six, said, voice in a lisp since he had no two front teeth.

“Mikal!” Iain scolded lightly.

“It’s fine.” I said. One of the few sentences that I had no issues with. Ellery cast me a sideways look.

“She’s funny.” Deni, a mere age of four, slipped his thumb out of his mouth for the words to sound somewhat audible.

“Yes, she is.” Rivaini smiled. “Come on, boys. Let’s get you home.”

“But Mum!” They whined. I snickered and Ellery laughed out loud. Iain rolled his eyes and sighed.

“Kids.” He said.

“Speaking of kids,” Bann wrapped his arms around one of my shoulders and one of Ellery’s, “When do you two plan on getting started?” I coughed and Ellery began choking on his ale.

“Da, don’t you think it’s a little early to start pestering them about children?” Iain laughed. “They only just got married.”

“Why?” Bann laughed. “I only waited half an hour for you and Rivaini.”

“True.” The pair laughed and wandered off.

“Sorry about that.” Ellery sighed, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.

“It’s fine.” Funny, how that sentence kept coming up.

“So, you’re talking normal now?” He asked.

“Easy sentence.” I shrugged.

“Whatever.” Ellery downed the rest of his drink.

“What?” I asked. Ellery shrugged.

“Whatever excuse you need.” He sighed.

“Cricket does not have any excuse!” I snapped.

 “Whatever you say, dear.” Ellery hissed.

“Crickie!” Melo grabbed my arm and dragged me away, giving my mug to Venhedas as I was pulled into the throng of my family. I couldn’t help but smile as they congratulated me and teased me loudly. I knew it was coming, but I was unprepared for how obnoxious they’d be. They were as loud and annoying as the rest of the village put together.

“Crickie, you have to get ready!” Eaie grabbed my shoulders and ushered me from my family. Kelty stood, waiting for me in front of the dais. Already, there was a throng of people clapping and cheering at the dancing and musicians on stage. As the bride, people parted for me, giving me the front row of the stage I would be taking soon. It was tradition for the bride and groom to showcase their talents at their own wedding. And I was only talented at one thing: dance. Ellery, on the other hand, could sing, dance, play drums, carve statues, fight, and gods knew what else.

“Melo is getting Ellery.” Kelty whispered in my ear as I looked around for her.

“Why?” I asked.

“He’s playing for your dance.”

“What?” I spun around; my skirt twisting around moments after the move was completed.

“Iain and Da thought it would be a good idea.” Kelty smiled. “Don’t worry. No one can resist your dancing.”

“But…” I frowned, worried. I already didn’t like the idea of dancing in front of the entire village, but Ellery… Just thinking his name made my skin crawl. Or was it a shiver?

“Don’t worry.” The music stopped and people cheered. The stage cleared and Iain and Bann pushed Ellery on the stage. He frowned at them before seating himself behind the drums. Kelty gave me a shove and I stumbled up the steps of the dais. Ellery raised a questioning eyebrow at me and I shrugged, helplessly. I had choreographed a dance, but that might not work since Ahlf…

As if answering my thoughts, the man sat next to Ellery, his guitar strung. Ahlf smiled at me and nodded. So it was to be my dance after all. I sighed and moved to the side of the dais, kicking my shoes off. I turned back around to see Ellery staring at my skirts as they swished around me. The crowd fell silent as I turned my back on them and posed with my wrists crossed and my hip jutted out. I held the position. The silence was deafening. Then, Ellery started playing.

The drumbeat was strong, sure, and I was positive he and Ahlf had practiced before this, because when the guitar came in, Ellery didn’t even flinch. I twisted myself, allowing the music and beat to carry me from step to step. I never had to rehearse any dance. Da said it was amazing how I could remember dances. I can remember a dance I made up as a three-year-old. It was horrible and very childish, but that was that. Papaw said that when I danced, it was majikal. Occasionally, if I didn’t pay attention, I would lose control and sparks would dance on my skin as I twirled.

This wasn’t one of those times.

I was too focused, too aware, of all the eyes gazing on me. Ellery’s eyes seemed to burn me, searing my skin with the intensity of his gaze. I danced, trying to get away from those golden eyes. It didn’t work. My skirt swirled around me as I spun, revealing my legs for a split second before covering them again. I could feel the beat pulse with the energy of the finale and a smile spread across my face. The finale was difficult, even for me. I liked challenges.

I saw Ellery gape at me as I started the ending, twisting, kicking, leaping… The passion of the dance was captivating, apparently. I hated watching people dance. I much preferred to take part of it. Ahlf was grinning at me and the crowd was… clapping? I spun around and around, turning and leaping and turning and leaping and I ducked into a roll that turned into a handstand that I cart wheeled out of. I spun, my skirt swirling away from my legs, revealing all of my legs before jumping, posing in the air for the split second I was there and then I was on the ground, head bowed and frozen just as the music halted.

My hearing stopped and time slowed to a crawl. All I could hear was my heavy breathing and my thudding heart. I looked up to see the cheering crowd and the setting sun. My family was in the front, next to Iain and Bann. They were all ecstatic. I got to my feet and stared out at the crowd. Why were they cheering for me? I was just doing what I was told to… A slow panic seeped into my mind as I realized they were all focused entirely on me. A warm hand on my shoulder did nothing to calm me.

I felt a cold chill sweep over my skin and then unbearable heat. I could feel myself panicking, but I couldn’t stop it. I saw Ellery move so his face was obscuring my view of the village. His lips moved and I think he was saying my name. His hands held the sides of my face and I realized that I was shivering. My stomach clenched and I struggled with my panic, trying to control my powers and voice and the heat was too much…

All at once, time caught up and I could hear everything. People were still cheering; they hadn’t noticed my panic. Ellery was trying to talk to me and Ahlf was calming down my family. I felt my weight sway and I shivered violently against the inferno.

“Cricket!” His voice was loud, but it barely carried over the roaring crowd. “Are you all right? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong.” I heard myself whisper.

“You are freakishly pale.” Ellery said his face contorted in worry. “Are you sure? You’re covered in sweat and you’re burning up.” I shivered violently and shut my eyes.

“Cricket… is fine.” I took several deep breaths.

“We should go.” Ellery said. “This is too much stress for you.”

“Why is Ellery worried about Cricket?” I asked, my eyes opening. I wanted him to get away. He was distracting and touching me and I just wanted to be alone and… gods, it was cold. All the heat seemed to have been sucked out of the world.

“Cricket?” Da’s voice was scared, and it scared me to know he was scared. Ellery stepped aside and Da hugged me. “We need to get her off this stage.” I was shuffled toward the side of the stage and the instant my feet touched the ground I was surrounded by my family. I was seated in a chair far away from the dais and a mug was handed to me. “It’s okay, little one. It’s water. Don’t worry anymore. No one is looking at you.” His voice was calm, soothing.

“Is she going to be all right?” Ellery still sounded worried.

“She’ll be fine. She just had a minor panic attack.” Da said. “She’s not used to all that attention and it freaks her out.”

“That was minor?” Ellery sounded incredulous.

“Normally it involves screaming and violence and sparks and throwing up.” Da said. He was distracted. Otherwise he wouldn’t have mentioned the sparks.

“Sparks?” Ellery entered my line of sight, next to my father.

“Cricket is fine.” I gasped out. Both men seemed startled to hear me speak.

“Drink.” Da ordered me. I sipped the cold water and looked up at them, my breathing finally evening out.

“Cricket is fine.” I repeated.

“I get the feeling she doesn’t understand the meaning of the word ‘fine’.” Ellery said, looking at me doubtfully.

“She does, she just doesn’t mean it in the sense everyone else does.” Da chuckled. “She only uses the word ‘fine’ when she’s really not fine.”

“Cricket does not.” I protested.

“She seems to be doing better.” Da sighed gratefully. “I will go tell the rest of the family. Keep an eye on her.”

“Of course.” Ellery sat next to me as I drank more water. I could feel strength returning to my limbs.

“Why does Ellery care about Cricket?” I asked.

“You’re my wife. I owe you a life-debt.” Ellery shrugged.

“So all the worry is for a life-debt that Ellery owes Da?” I asked incredulously.

“No, now I owe you.” Ellery corrected me. I rolled my eyes, instantly feeling better with how much Ellery annoyed me.

“Ellery should go join the party. Cricket feels better and she doesn’t need anyone babysitting her.” I snapped.

“Cricket, I…”

“No.” I gave him my fiercest glare. “Ellery has better things to do than to look after Cricket. Cricket can look after herself. She is an adult.”

“Fine.” Ellery snapped, storming away from me. He really pissed me off. I instantly felt bad for snapping at him, but I didn’t want his pity, especially if it was only because he felt guilty. I sat on the bench far away from the party, watching people celebrate. It was a celebration for me, yet I barely knew any of them. I had been kept away from the village a vast majority of my life mostly because I was strange and the village didn’t like strangeness. I watched the crowd laugh, drink, dance, and cheer. The band on the stage kept them entertained in the deepening dusk.

I spotted Ellery talking and laughing with some women and I felt a surge of hatred sear through my gut. I frowned as he smiled happily at them. But there was something wrong with that smile. His golden eyes seemed sad even though his face spoke volumes of joy. I thought it was odd, but then he swept a woman, Eliza, I thought, into a dance and I felt fury again. I could feel my power slide out of my control as my fingers tingled with red sparks. I quickly flicked my fingers and rubbed them in the strips on my skirt, trying to keep people from seeing the strangeness I was born with.

“Cricket!” Eiryn sprinted up to me, breathing heavily. “Pereira was so worried about you that she started having the baby!” Instantly I was on my feet and sprinting as fast as I could toward my family. Eiryn was on my heels. I arrived to see Pereira on the wagon, crying in the agony of her contractions.

“Pereira!” I cried, taking her hand in mine. Her eyes flew open at the sound of my voice and she turned to see me.

“Cricket…” She gasped. “This baby… is really excited… to meet you…” She screamed as another contraction hit.

“Cricket wants to meet the baby, too.” I said, trying to smile.

“Crickie, please move.” Mum ordered.

“No!” Pereira begged. “Let her stay.” I hopped up on the wagon, sitting behind my sister and offering my support while Mum and Memaw ordered the men about.

“Hot water!”

“Fresh clothes!”

The celebration didn’t even pause as my sister screamed in agony. I struggled not to cry at my sister’s shrieks. No one else was crying. Not even Ahlf, who spoke soothing words to her. I held her shoulders, massaging them gently. I looked up and saw Ellery, still dancing with that woman, Eliza, I reminded myself, still smiling the smile that didn’t reach his eyes. I didn’t realize hot tears were streaming down my cheeks as I spoke words of encouragement to Pereira. When a drop hit my hand, I noticed them and they bothered me. I put all of my focus into my sister. She screamed, calling on various gods to stop the pain. Faster than I thought, it was over.

There was a smack and the baby wailed. Everyone relaxed in relief. I continued to massage Pereira’s shoulders as the baby was named Chika. She had a small bundle of black curls and her eyes hadn’t opened yet. Pereira started crying when she held her daughter. There was relieved laughter and I felt more tears prick at my eyes. I glanced up to see Ellery standing at the edge of the celebration, watching us. His eyes met mine and widened in surprise.

“Let’s get back to the house.” Memaw said. “She’s very tired.” I hopped off the wagon and watched as my family settled Pereira more comfortably in the wagon, little Chika in her arm.

“Thank you, Cricket.” My sister breathed, tearing her eyes away from her daughter to smile at me.

“She is beautiful.” I said.

“She is.” Pereira nodded. I waved goodbye to my family as the wagon pulled away, my family piled inside.

“Cricket…” Ellery’s voice gave me the shivers. He touched my shoulder and my nerves leapt to life. What had that kiss done to me? Maybe it was the fact that I had never been kissed romantically before. Or at all. I shrugged his hand off and wiped my face with my hands, trying to hide the evidence of my tears.

“Cricket is tired.” I said, trying to get rid of all the wetness.

“So am I.” I finally turned and seeing the pity in his golden gaze instantly relieved me of the sadness, instead giving my fury.

“Cricket does not need Ellery’s pity.” I frowned.

“I wasn’t –”

“Don’t lie!”

“Gods, you are impossible!” Ellery glowered at me. “You use your weird speech as a way to get attention and you are just so childish!”

“Cricket does not use her speech!” I snapped. “She can’t get her thoughts out any other way!”

“Oh, really?” I thought the anger in his eyes was better suited than the pity. At least I had done something to earn the anger.

“Yes!”

“Try. Right now.” Ellery crossed his arms over his chest, jaw jutting out.

“Try what?” I adopted the same pose.

“To speak normally.” I frowned.

“Cricket –”

“Just try, dammit!” Ellery took my shoulders in his hands, surprising gentle for all the anger he was displaying. “Say ‘I like to dance’.” I swallowed tightly. I had been through these lessons before…

“I-I…” My brain whirled into overdrive as my face scrunched up, trying to get the words out. It just felt so wrong to say. “L-l-l-li-i-ike…” I felt my breathing speed up as my frustration mounted. I shut my eyes, struggling with the urge to speak naturally. Maybe if I ignored those gold eyes it would work better. “T-to...” There was an easy one. Why was Ellery so distracting? “D…” My voice faltered. Say ‘dance’! Say it! I urged myself, fighting to speak the words. I was desperate to become normal. “D-d-d-d-d…” My ‘d’ stuttered for a good four seconds before my frustration got the better of me. Fat, hot tears leaked out of my eyes and I tore away from Ellery, furious.

“Cricket can’t do it!” I yelled at him. “She tries and tries and tries,” My voice cracked and I clenched my fists and stomped around in agitation, “But she can’t do it! Everyone wants to make her normal and Cricket wants to be normal! She really, really does! But she can’t!” I was emotional and highly irrational. I always was after trying normal speech. It wasn’t the words themselves, it was their order.

“You…” Ellery looked shocked. “You really can’t speak normally, can you?” I gave him a very dirty look. His eyes focused downwards. “Why are you glowing?” Crap. I looked at my fingers and saw the familiar red sparks. Another side effect from that particular exercise. I flicked my fingers, shooting the sparks into the ground and wiped the tingling digits on my dress. I always had to wipe my fingers after. They tingled and felt very uncomfortable if I didn’t.

“Cricket will explain later.” I sighed at the blank stare I was given.

“Let’s go.” Ellery had picked Xiu up earlier that day. He led me to the black stallion and the chestnut mare hitched up on the other side of the village square. No one at the party would miss us. They were too drunk by that point. Resa, Ellery’s mare, stood patiently as Ellery offered to help me up on Xiu. I quickly scrambled onto the horse and looked down blankly at the man.

“Cricket is very familiar with Xiu.” I said, proudly.

“Um…” Ellery shrugged and hopped on Resa. “Follow me.”

---

This is probably my favorite of all the stories I've written, so I decided to post is for critiques and for your enjoyment.

If you have any questions (I realize it's a little complicated) I would be more than happy to explain anything.

~LP