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With a wave and a final smile, I turned and followed Faelyn back to our world.
When we neared the portals, I cast a discreet glance towards the Spiders’. My chest pinched, but I bit the inside of my cheeks and followed my brother into our portal. My visits to Eon had been so frequent and consistent that I feared someone would catch me, so I had to break my pattern and be with my own people for a while.
And I should have felt at ease with that because this was my kind, my world, where I was raised and felt the most comfort and safety.
But it wasn’t… it wasn’t the same.
There was something different in the air in our land. Soft and hushed, like a hum murmured between the trees.
I looked at Faelyn as I walked beside him. “Is something happening soon?”
He gave me a confused look. “You didn’t hear?”
I shook my head with a frown.
“In a few moons from tonight, there’s a prominent village of Elves visiting us. You do know the reason, don’t you?”
Judging from the mild disappointment in his tone, one thing could be big enough to shake every tribe in our world.
Excitement erupted inside me. “The night of the Blue Moon! The honouring of the elements!”
“Yes.” Faelyn beamed at me, patting the top of my head.
The Blue Moon occurred only once every spring. The power given to the Elves who were blessed increased tremendously.It was a sacred day and night where there was to be no kalai-seeking, no disputes between any villages, and certainly no tears. It was the night we honoured our elements, our creators.
My exuberance dimmed as my brows furrowed. “What is the reason for the village of Elves to become our guests? Do they simply wish to celebrate with us?” My nose twitched when the scents of herbs and spices reached me, but my stomach rumbled, demanding a meal.
While our people preferred to honour the elements in their own homes with their own village, it wasn’t so uncommon for tribes to merge for that one night, though the guests would often remain for a few days. It had happened a few times in the past, but I found the experience rather… odd. To share your land and routine with a group of strangers for a few days was a little uncomfortable because you had to be on your best behaviour. None of that silliness or childish games I’d sometimes play with Ayen.
“That is my guess,” Faelyn said quietly. “Father said it could also be a potential mate-seek.”
“Ah, that’s right. They do that often, travelling to another tribe under the guise of sharing the joy.”
Faelyn laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he gave me a startled look. “When did you learn that?”
I shrugged and looped my arm with his. “It becomes obvious when we end up having new females and males, or when some of ours end up leaving with the guests. It isn’t a bad idea, considering our people don’t travel around much.” A thought occurred to me, and I looked up at my brother with a considering look. “What if you meet someone you like during the gathering? Do you think you might have rushed?”
“No,” Faelyn’s voice was sure and content. “Elanil is it for me. There will be none after her.”
“Because she conquered your heart and locked it away,” I teased, giggling when he tugged me closer to him. “Did she throw away the key? Or did she bury it somewhere?”
“Laugh all you want. Mother and father may not be saying anything because they want to keep you with them for as long as they can, but you will choose someone one day. You don’t feel the need now because you haven’t matured, but you will one day. Maybe you’ll like someone during the upcoming gathering. ThenIwill be the one laughing and poking my tongue out.”
A secretive smile twisted my lips, even though unease pinched my chest. “That will never happen.”
Faelyn snorted. “We shall see.”
“We shall see,” I echoed playfully, confidently, leaning into my brother as we walked home.
25
Arms full of vegetables and twigs of fresh herbs, I dropped next to my mother with a huff. Pouting, I angled my head away as I crossed my arms over my stomach.
The females around us giggled, but my mother clicked her tongue softly before gently pinching one of my cheeks. “Frowning is not for you.”
I puffed my cheeks again, refusing to meet her eyes. “I would not be frowning if you’d have allowed me to go to the Market for you.” My bottom lip quivered, frustration loosening my tongue. “It’s not fair. Faelyn and Ayen are always crossing portals. Why couldn’t you have asked me to go instead? I would have been just as successful, if not more.”
My mother’s blue gaze softened. A smile curved her lips, her hand drifting from my cheek to gently hold my chin.
