Page 40 of Dark Shaman: The Lost Treasure
He swallowed his rebuttal that it would be cold on the way back home. She was so happy about her new outfit, so proud of buying it herself. He would never wish to dim her joy.
"You'll be the most beautiful woman there," he said instead.
She squeezed his arm. "I bet you say that to all the girls."
"I've never said it to anyone before."
The words came out sounding more serious than he'd intended, and she looked up at him with those big, brown eyes of hers. Fora moment, he thought she might kiss him again, right there in front of her house where her mother and her many aunts could see. But she just smiled and tugged him forward.
"Come on. I don't want to miss Fenella's readings. I brought something for her to read." She lifted her arm, showing him the delicate bracelet she wore on her wrist.
Warning bells went off in his head. "Are you sure that's wise? Fenella makes up most of what she says, and her aim is to entertain, which means that she says potentially embarrassing things."
"Then we'll laugh about it." She bumped her shoulder against his arm. "Don't be such a worrier, Ruvon. Fenella is family, remember? She won't say anything cruel."
Family. The word sat uneasily with him. Arezoo's father was family too, and he'd been willing to trade her to the highest bidder. Ruvon had gotten so angry when she'd told him about it that for several days he'd contemplated going to Iran, finding the bastard, and beating him up.
But he kept those thoughts to himself. Arezoo chose to trust Fenella, embracing this new family despite everything she'd been through. He wouldn't dare poison that noble resilience, his own anger issues notwithstanding.
When they reached the pub, night had fully settled. No light spilled from the shuttered windows, but the sounds of laughter and conversation grew louder as they approached, and the music drifted out on the evening air.
The moment they entered, Fenella spotted them from behind the bar. She waved them over enthusiastically, then turned to shoo away two males who'd been sitting directly in front of her.
"Off with you two," she said cheerfully. "You've already had your readings tonight. Make room for the young couple."
One of the males grumbled as he stood, "The girl might be young, but Ruvon isn't."
Fenella laughed. "Ruvon's a youngling compared to these gentlemen." She gestured to two males sitting at the other end of the bar. "Ruvon, Arezoo, meet Roven and Davuh. Roven and Davuh, meet Ruvon and Arezoo."
Everyone in the village had heard about the three ancient immortals who had been found in Egypt, and he'd seen them during their welcoming party, but the truth was that he remembered only the tall redhead who looked like Anandur, Wonder's mate.
After the four of them exchanged greetings, Fenella shook her head. "Ruvon and Roven. You're going to confuse me. One of you needs to change your name."
"I was named first," Roven said with a grin. "So, it will have to be you, Ruvon. Perhaps you'd be Novur? It's your name spelled backward, and it has a nice ring to it. Like new and voyeur."
"No, thank you," Ruvon said. "I'm kind of fond of my name, and it will be too difficult to get used to a new one, especially one that rhymes with voyeur."
Arezoo was looking at him as if she were just discovering that he had a sense of humor. He liked the appreciation in her gaze. It made him want to square his shoulders and sit up straight.
"So, darlings." Fenella regarded them with mischief in her eyes. "Did you bring me anything to read?"
Arezoo slid the bracelet off her wrist and handed it to her. "It was my grandmother's. She gave it to me when I turned twelve."
Fenella took the bracelet, making a show of examining it from all angles. She closed her eyes, pressed it between her palms, and hummed dramatically. The nearby patrons quietened, leaning in to catch whatever pronouncement she'd make.
"Oh my," Fenella said, her eyes popping open. "This bracelet has seen some things."
Arezoo leaned forward eagerly. "What kind of things?"
"Love," Fenella intoned. "Deep, passionate love. Your grandmother was very happy when she wore this." She paused dramatically. "I see...more. Kisses. Many, many kisses."
Arezoo's cheeks flushed pink, but she was smiling. "Whose kisses?"
Fenella pretended to concentrate harder. "Someone close. Someone who looks at you like you hung the moon and stars."
Ruvon felt heat crawl up his neck. How did she know about the kiss? Did she actually read it from the bracelet? Arezoo hadn't worn it the night they'd kissed.
"Also," Fenella continued, her eyes twinkling, "I see dancing. Maybe a wedding? No, wait—that's further off. First come many more kisses." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
