Page 26 of The Garnet Daughter
But before I can process the moment, the portion of the dance where we switch partners forces us apart. Now I’m face-to-face with Kieran, who smiles and greets me cordially, taking my hand and leading us through the rest of the dance.
August and Ruth are partners. They stand farther apart than we did, his movements are not as smooth, and she laughs wildly as they circle each other. His eyes meet mine with every twirl and spin, locking onto me before turning his attention back to his dance partner.
A small tug pulls at the sleeve of my dress, and I turn to find little Aster looking up at her father with an expectant pout. I reach for her hand and put it in his so she can take my place. He chuckles at the sudden switch and swoops her up in his arms.
“Have fun.” I touch her cheek while she beams during the next spin.
It’s the perfect opportunity to sneak away to the sidelines, where others sway and mingle. The elders are blocked by a large group who laugh loudly into their drinks, ignoring me. I weave through them and arch around the large communal fire to avoid notice as another song begins, calling in more to join a different beloved dance.
“Calliape.” A tall form steps in front of my path as I approach my destination, blocking me.
Rouke appears displeased as usual. He squares his shoulders to me as if I am an outsider, unwelcome in the village we both grew up in together.
“Move aside, Rouke. I need to speak with the elders.” I hoped to avoid him during our stay here. Aside from a few glares in my and August’s direction from across the village, I did not think he would engage, too busy during the fruitful hunting season.
“The elders do not wish to speak with you.”
“You are not their keepers, nor are you in any position to turn me away from my own elders.”
He laughs. “This is a night of celebration, not whatever problems you bring.”
“Step aside, I don’t have time for this.”
Instead, he leans in closer, looming over me in an attempt to intimidate. Rouke is a bully, he always has been, but his tone has taken on a furious edge, as if he truly hates me. “You should be ashamed of yourself, keeping the company of Viathans.”
I open my mouth, about to spit my anger at him, but then August is beside me, pressing forward into Rouke’s space.
“Back up,” he says in a low voice.
I have not seen August like this in some time, all the rage he keeps in check now spilling out and directed at Rouke. He puffs out and tenses his chest while staring down his opponent, neither willing to budge and standing eye to eye. Their feud is not a deep one, but I know without a doubt that either of them would settle it tonight if given the chance. But if this goes any further, it could ruin our plan.
“It’s alright. We will speak with them some other time,” I try to diffuse, to at least gain some distance between them.
“You outstayed your welcome the first time, Viathan,” Rouke snarls.
August doesn’t reply, his body determined to stay between Rouke and me.
I slip my hand into his and pull at it slightly, and only then do I capture his attention. “August. Please,” I plead.
He takes a few moments to process the severity of my simple words. I repeat them again as a whisper, hoping to snap him out of whatever ego-filled frenzy he has found himself in. I know he is listening when I feel his fingers curl around mine even as Rouke takes a step closer, pressing his chest into August’s.
“Not another word from you,” I spit at Rouke and his ridiculous posturing.
I pull August’s hand toward me, and to my surprise, he follows.
“Good night, friend.” August smiles over his shoulder.
“Careful, Viathan. This time the forest may just swallow you whole,” Rouke calls out as we head toward the other side of the communal fire.
I wait until we are far away, on the outskirts of the celebration, hidden behind a nearby home, and snap my hand away from his. “You shouldn’t provoke him.”
“He has had many chances to do something if he wanted. He’s been eyeing us for days. He’s all smoke.”
I should have known August would notice Rouke’s hostile glares whenever he spotted us walking to and from the beacon together.
“Even so, we are supposed to be lying low.”
“I didn’t like how aggressive he was to you.” He takes a deep breath, as if even repeating what happened is changing his mind about retreating.
