Chapter 10
It took over an hour for her to finish tying my hair up in rags. She smiled at me afterwards and told me to relax again before pulling her own hair up in a twisted bun. Wisps of her hair floated around her face, softening her look.
“Cricket’s hair is annoying.” I complained.
“Your hair is gorgeous.” Rivaini corrected. “It’s long and thick and a beautiful color. I know for a fact that every girl and woman in the village is jealous of your hair.”
“Cricket doesn’t believe Rivaini.” I said.
“Cricket won’t believe anything that gives her a compliment.” Rivaini shook her head. “Come on; let’s get some cleaning done while we still have the time.”
“Cricket doesn’t want to.” I whined, getting up and helping Rivaini make the beds.
“Well, we’re waiting for your hair to curl, and we only have a few hours before the boys come home.” Rivaini shrugged. “We’ll make dinner for them and Bann will take care of them while we go to the celebration.” The word “celebration” in the village meant no children allowed. Men and women who hadn’t yet become adults by way of marriage were still allowed to attend, however. Typically the celebrations lasted all night long, and the eldest generation would look after the youngest for the evening. I hadn’t been able to go to any celebrations before.
“Will the other women be mad at Cricket for going?” I asked.
“Eliza will.” Rivaini shrugged. “But, who cares about her opinion? The other women are grateful that you saved them and their families from the Rogues. Plus, I’ve been spreading the tale of your heroic rescue.”
“Cricket wasn’t heroic. She didn’t do anything special.” I said. Rivaini put and hand on my arm and pulled my gaze to hers.
“You saved my life and the lives of my children. You are the most wonderful person in the world.” She said sincerely. I flushed and started sweeping the floor. Mikal and Deni were very disappointed when they weren’t allowed to accompany us to the celebration. It took several promises of honey cakes and lots of play time before they consented to let us go. Bann smiled at our clothes and mentioned how his wife and mother always liked to go against the fashion of the time.
“Come on!” Rivaini pulled me out of the house. She didn’t complain when I decided against shoes, especially because the sun had been bright and hot, so the mud had dried. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of pink and gold and the glimmer of light danced off my hair. When Rivaini pulled the rags out, my red-brown-gold hair tumbled into thick curls down my back. The curls were so tight that my hair appeared significantly shorter than it really was. One tiny curl stubbornly sat along the right side of my face, bouncing with every step I took.
“Rivaini!” The large group of women called out as they saw us approach. Silence fell as they caught sight of me. Another celebration tradition involved all the women to meet separately from all the men before walking over to the village center. Melo stepped forward and caught me in a bear hug.
“You look gorgeous, Crickie!” She grinned. Somehow, she managed to break the tension and people started to talk, awkwardly at first and then more and more excited as time wore on.
“Ellery is going to faint when he sees you.” Pereira hugged me, happily.
“That’s the point!” Rivaini grinned.
“I can’t wait until Ellery sees my new dress.” Eliza said loudly. Women gathered around to look at her simple, conservative, but nevertheless colorful and elegant dress. She spun around, happily lapping up all the attention.
“Slut.” Melo muttered. Rivaini laughed and nudged her.
“Be nice.”
“You were thinking the same thing!” Melo shoved Rivaini back.
“That’s beside the point.” Rivaini sniffed.
“There’s really no comparison between Cricket and Eliza.” Pereira said thoughtfully.
“Eliza’s simple and elegant, like the noble ladies.” Rivaini nodded. “But Cricket,
you are complex and exotic, like a spirit of the forest.”
“She
does embody a certain goddess…” Pereira smiled.
“No, Cricket doesn’t!” I complained. My sisters were teasing me, the jerks.
“You look like Druantia.” Melo grinned. “Or an exotic faery.” Of all the goddesses my sisters could have chosen, they chose Druantia. The Queen of the Druids, the goddess of trees, fertility for plants and animals, sexual activities, protection, knowledge, and creativity. She was not me. At all.
“Deal with it!” Pereira said, cutting me off.
“Has she always been horrible at taking compliments?” Rivaini asked.
“Yes!” My sisters chorused.
“Everyone is so mean!” I whined. I was enveloped in a group hug and surrounded by laughter.
“Come on, ladies!” Someone cried. The sun had disappeared and the blue-purples of twilight had settled. “Let’s go seduce our men!” Celebrations were essentially a village-wide effort to have all the married couples in the village have sex. As a long line, we hooked our arms around each other and walked to the village center. When the men spied the women approaching, they would stand in an appropriate line so they could reach their spouses before the dancing started. For the un-married individuals, the men would choose what single woman they’d want to dance with and stand before her. Iain and Basra spotted me between Rivaini and Melo and called to Ellery. Ellery filled in the gap between them and looked up.
The world decided to stop for us.
His eyes widened and his jaw dropped in a comical imitation of how he looked at our wedding. I ducked my head and grinned to myself at how funny he looked. I never thought I would love the man before me and if someone had told me that I would be enjoying dressing up for him and teasing him the way I knew I was, I would have laughed in their face. The lines drew together and I separated myself from Rivaini and Melo to prepare for the dance. Ellery broke out of his gaping to smile at me.
“Ellery!” Reality decided to punch me in the gut. Eliza broke from the line and slid in between me and Ellery. Traditionally, that wasn’t tolerated, because the men chose the women they wanted to dance with, not the other way around.
“Eliza! Get back in line!” Melo snapped, too late. The music started up and suddenly I was surrounded by dancing couples. I watched, a sinking feeling in my gut as Rivaini, Melo, and Pereira glowered at Eliza and Ellery. Ellery’s gaze was attached to me, but it did no good to me when I was alone in the midst of dancing. I made my way through the dancing to the dais where the musicians played. A group of the elders were chosen to perform for the celebration instead of watching the children.
“Cricket!” Pereira pulled out of the dance, a silent Ahlf at her side. “Are you okay?”
“Cricket’s fine.” I lied. “Pereira should go dance and enjoy herself.”
“You have to dance at some point this evening.” Pereira ordered. I smiled.
“Cricket promises.” Pereira grinned and pulled Ahlf back into the throng. I watched the dancing, hurt and alone. I told myself not to look for him, but my eyes sought him out anyway. He danced with Eliza, his eyes unfocused over the top of her head. Eliza tugged him closer to her, so their bodies were pressed together and he stepped away, smoothly spinning her around so she was once again at an acceptable distance. Acceptable for him. Finally, the dance ended and I lost sight of Ellery and Eliza.
“All right, ladies!” One of the Elders on the dais stood up and pulled the attention to him. “It’s time for the dance competition!” People cheered happily. The competition was for all the un-married women to choose an un-married man they wanted to woo. Then, one at a time, they would dance for him and the married crowd would choose the dancer they liked the best and then the pair were partners for the rest of the night and they weren’t able to dance with anyone else.
“Let’s start with Stam! Ladies, line up if you want him!” Stam, the apprentice smith, was tall and lean with a bushy head of bright red hair and a face covered in freckles. One at a time, men were called forward and, one at a time, women would dance for them. It took the better part of two hours before they finished. “Well, that looks like the last man left, so let’s move on to –”
“What about Ellery?” Eliza called out.
“What about him?” Several people asked.
“His marriage to Cricket was annulled when it was discovered she’s a Rogue.” Eliza said. “Ellery is un-married.”
“Cricket, you have to dance for him!” Rivaini whispered in my ear. I don’t know when she got behind me, but when I jumped and spun around, her face was deadly serious.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because it’ll prove that you love him!” Rivaini snapped.
“You don’t want to watch him dance with Eliza all night, do you?” Iain added.
“Well, I guess you’re right.” The elder looked a bit confused. “Line up for Ellery!” A small group of the remaining girls left lined up. Several of the un-married men in our generation were either injured or on guard duty, because typically there were more men than women. I stood at the end of the line, looking almost as if I was in the crowd, not in the line. Eliza stood at the front. I sighed and waited for the announcement that she would go first.
“Eliza!”
Her dance was beautiful and simple. She used a basic dance that anyone in the village could do, but added several suggestive and sometimes outright lewd moves. I watched in disgust and saw how Ellery’s face was carefully blank. He often pulled a mask over his expressions when he was dealing with something he didn’t want to deal with. When she finished, the crowd clapped politely and she curtsied, happily enjoying their attention. Of the three girls remaining, one of them couldn’t dance to save her life, one kept her dance simple, but clean, and the third actually could dance. Her moves were very polished, and she was much better than Eliza.
“Cricket!” The elder said my name more as a question than an announcement. I stepped forward into the circle and waited for the music to start. I was going to prove how much I loved Ellery with my dance. He was going to finally understand how much I cared and how badly it hurt me that he didn’t care the same way. The drum started and I swayed for several beats, listening to the rhythm and how I could use it.
I lost myself in the dance. It was like my wedding, where there were too many eyes on me, but it was also like I was alone, where all my emotions poured to the surface. I shut my eyes and danced, letting my pain and hurt control my movements. Someone gasped loudly and I opened my eyes, still dancing. My sparks, usually formless and along my skin, danced in sparkling lights around my feet, trailing along behind my steps and my hands. The crowd stepped back, awed and scared by my power. Ellery stepped forward, his hand reaching out to me. I twirled around again and again, letting the sparkling lights create a dizzying circle of light around me. I froze in a pirouette, allowing the lights to settle before throwing myself into motion again. I pulled myself into a complicated leap before landing on my feet, my hand out to Ellery.
The crowd voted by cheering, and elder in charge would announce the winner at the end. My sparkling lights died with the end of my dance and everyone stood in shock and awe. I was a good dancer, but I was relatively sure people were only paying attention to my power and not my talent. Silence filled the center of the village for a split second before my sisters started clapping. As soon as the clapping started, people were pulled out of their daze and they started cheering. I felt myself flush and tried not to panic at the sudden onslaught of total attention.
“Cricket is the winner!” The elder shouted. The crowd collapsed the circle as the music started up again, the married couples ready for more dancing.
“No!” Eliza screamed in anguish.
“I don’t know why she thought she could out-dance you.” Ellery said, taking my hand. I shrugged, trying to calm my rapid heart and slow my breathing. I would never get used to having all that attention. “Cricket?” His hand was cold against my cheek as he pulled my gaze up to meet his.
“Cricket?” Rivaini’s voice came from somewhere over my left shoulder. I felt myself sway and Ellery held my face in his hands.
“Cricket, calm down.” He said, gently. “It’s all right. No one’s paying attention anymore. Don’t worry.”
“Is she all right?” Rivaini’s voice sounded distant.
“She has panic attacks when she gets too much attention at once.” Ellery explained. “Cricket, look at me.” My eyes found his gold eyes and relief flooded them. “It’s okay.” He promised. I was led out of the chaos of the dancing by Ellery.
“I’ll go get her some water.” Rivaini announced. I hadn’t seen her at all. Maybe I wasn’t focused enough.
“Cricket?” Ellery pulled my gaze from the ground. He touched my cheek and I realized that his hands weren’t cold; my body was way too hot. “You’re really pale. It’s okay, now.”
“Sorry.” I think I said the word. I could have been wrong, though.
“For what?” Ellery asked. He suddenly laughed, a huge grin pulling at his lips. “You danced for me.” His voice was filled with awe. I shrugged. “You’re still pale and really hot.” I was accepting my panic and pulling it under my control when he kissed me. A split second later we were torn apart and Eliza stood between us.
“How
dare you?” She snapped. Several people around us stopped and stared.
“Ellery kissed Cricket.” I said.
“Yes, only because you put him under a spell!” Eliza snapped.
“What’s going on here?” Iain asked, following Rivaini who held a mug of water.
“Cricket put Ellery under a spell!” Eliza pointed at me. Rivaini and Iain struggled to maintain straight faces.
“How can you tell?” One of the elders noticed Eliza’s outburst and had joined our group.
“Ellery
kissed her!” Eliza stomped her foot. Rivaini and Iain had been joined by Melo and Basra and all four burst into hysterical laughter. “Stop laughing! It’s very serious!”
“My dear, you do know that kissing isn’t against any rules, right?” The elder looked sympathetically at Eliza. “There’s no proof he’s under a spell.”
“He hates her!” She pointed between us.
“I do not!” Ellery yelled over her.
“Eliza honey, I think you’re confused.” The elder patted her arm and Eliza jumped back.
“I’m
not! Ellery would
never kiss Cricket under his own free will!” She insisted.
“No, I’d never kiss
you under my own free will.” Ellery replied.
“See?” Eliza pointed. “Now he’s insulting me.
Me! I’m the woman he loves!” Ellery shoved his face into his hands and groaned.
“Eliza, you should leave them alone.” The elder said. “Cricket won the dance fair and square.”
“Unless she has you under a spell, too!”
“Eliza, please stop.” Ellery sighed.
“I will never stop loving you, Ellery.” The woman tried to get close to him.
“Will you leave Cricket alone if I dance with you?” He asked. My family stopped laughing instantly. My heart froze.
“Of course.” Eliza smiled sweetly.
“Good.” Ellery took a deep breath. “I already danced with you. Please leave Cricket alone.” Eliza pouted and stomped her foot again.
“That’s not fair, El-honey!” She whined.
“Life isn’t fair, sweetheart.” Rivaini snapped.
“Fine.” Eliza sniffed. “I won’t bother Cricket.” She clung to Ellery’s arm tightly. “But I won’t leave my Ellery’s side all night.”
“Wouldn’t that be considered bothering Cricket?” Iain asked.
“Of course not.” Eliza smiled. “Ellery isn’t Cricket.”
“Eliza, halt this madness now.” The elder ordered. Eliza didn’t move, smiling serenely at Ellery. I rolled my eyes.
“Cricket is going to go home, now.” I said. “Before she throws up.”
“No lady would mention such horrid things.” Eliza sniffed.
“No lady would participate in a dance competition.” I replied.
“Well, I never!” Eliza glowered at me. I rolled my eyes and spun around, my skirt flaring out as I walked away.
“Cricket, you can’t leave!” Melo clung to my arm.
“Why not?” I asked. “Cricket’s tired of being looked down upon and shoved around as if she doesn’t matter. She doesn’t want to have anything to do with Ellery or Eliza again.”
“Eliza I can understand. But you
love Ellery!” Melo was begging me.
“What is Melo’s point?” I asked. “Cricket will never have the perfect marriage Melo and Basra share. She may never be married again.”
“Ellery loves you, too. I
know he does.”
“Ellery never defends Cricket. He only stands by passively or attacks her himself. How is
that proof of love?”
“I didn’t say it was.” Melo explained. “But, Ellery’s still an idiot about dealing with women –”
“And he can stay that way.” I stopped her. “Cricket doesn’t have the patience to teach Ellery while Eliza’s clinging to his arm. She doesn’t have the strength to deal with him alone.”
“Crickie…”
“Cricket’s going home to bed.” I said, walking away. I only looked back once and I regretted it instantly. Ellery and Eliza were dancing again, far too close for comfort.
“Back so soon, my dear?” Bann asked as I walked in the house. People were usually out until the early hours of the morning at celebrations.
“Eliza decided to be even more obnoxious than usual.” I sighed.
“And Ellery didn’t do anything, did he?” Bann sighed, shaking his head. “I’ll talk to him tonight. This has gone on long enough.”
“Cricket’s going to bed.” I said. “She will wash the dress in the morning.”
“Don’t worry about it, my dear.” Bann smiled. “You may keep it.”
“But, it belongs to Ellery’s mother…”
“And now it belongs to you.” Bann placed a warm hand on my shoulder. “Think of it as your inheritance.”
“But Cricket isn’t a Serannas.” I replied. Bann rolled his eyes.
“A fact which will be remedied soon.”
“Cricket doubts it.” I sighed, walking to Ellery’s bedroom. I had stayed in the room my entire stay and Ellery had slept in Iain’s old room. The guest room had been adapted for my nephews to sleep in and Iain and Rivaini had just taken over Iain’s room the night before, when Ellery didn’t come home. I changed out of the dress and into some old clothes of Ellery’s before snuffing out the candle and crawling into the bed.
Finally. And I'm behind schedule again. But it wasn't my fault this time, I promise! My computer stopped loading AFF for me so I couldn't get on to update. I had to have my handy-dandy boyfriend fix 'er up before I could even get on the website. And I'm trying to excuse myself again. I'M SORRY!
To make it up to you guys, I will post a chapter on Christmas Eve. If you guys attack me with reviews, I will post a second chapter on Christmas as well! (See there? Shameless plug for reviews.) My reviewer (ONLY reviewer) was the lovely NA_Zeno
! Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying my story! LOTS OF LOVE AND I'LL SEE YOU CRAZIES IN 2 DAYS! ~LP
