She pats my hand and pulls herself up from my bed. “I have to get to your sister’s. Go get some fresh air. Clean. Cook. Write. Do something to distract yourself.”
Leaving me behind, she takes off for Jaleese’s, and I take her advice and stop sulking inside.
I don’t make my way to the pond as planned. Instead, Ella and I steep a cup of tea and tend to the garden I have been neglecting for days. A few of the tomatoes are ripe for picking and I get a few good cukes for supper tonight, which I should probably have ready by the time my parents get back.
Once I’m done with the vegetables, I move to the flower section of the garden. We have rows and rows of assorted flowers. As always, I check on my babies first. We have four different beds of hydrangeas. Each one with different types of soil, or as my father would say, “Soil with different levels of acidity.” The different acid levels help produce different colors in the petals.
I wonder if I let a few magis worms roam free, as Shea suggested, if the blossoms would turn out like the ones he had given me? I’m certain my father has some in his study.
Many have warned me about my love for hydrangeas—they’re just flowers. And yes, I know the flowers represent our kingdom’s greatest threat—Saden—but just because those in power have issues with our neighbor doesn’t make those people my enemy, too. I snip a few pink blooms and pair them with some tall astilbes. Perfect for the vase above the sitting room mantel.
By the time I leave the house, the sun’s position is high in the sky. I can’t decide if I just want to take a stroll to clear my mind or if I want to sit by the pond.
In case I decide on the pond, I brought along some food and a sketch book—I’m thinking a belt of sorts would be a pleasant touch to my latest piece. Also in my bag is my medicinal spray. While the temperature is perfect, not requiring a coat or the need to remove a layer, it creates the perfect opportunity for creatures and critters to roam around carefree, as they should, and most leave particles in the air that can sometimes make it difficult to breathe.
When I was younger, Luna and I went on one of our many grand adventures. It wasn’t too far from my parents’ cottage, but at the time, it had felt like we had traveled for miles. We came to rolling fields covered in pastel purple flowers. Ones I had never seen before at that age. After exploring the field, my chestbecame tight. The running didn’t help either. That was the day I learned lilacs and I would never be friends. It was also the day my father started making the spray mixtures for me to carry. If it wasn’t for Luna’s quick thinking and running to get my parents, I would not be here.
The pond is near a bridge that connects the village with other homes on the outskirts. Approaching the water, I see a few people fishing and farther off, kids are playing tag near a grouping of trees, some of the trunks covered in mud from last night’s rain. Then I spot one lonely soul who sits on a blanket shaded by one of the grand oaks.
Luna.
She looks up in my direction, making it impossible to walk away unnoticed. Her face is stern and suggests she wants to be alone. That is until it melts and puddles into a smile. I don’t deny her one back and I’m thankful she’s even smiling at all. I suck in a breath and walk her way.
“Mrs. Kimpol’s shop was closed again this morning,” she says, and I notice as soon as I reach her blanket, she is fiddling with her hands. “I thought the pond was the next best place to find you.”
“You were looking for me?” I sit next to her and look out at the pond. Sensing her about to respond, I speak quickly. “I’m sorry the consequences of my decision impacted you. You have to know that was never my intention.”
“I know.” She nudges me. “It came with a shock, is all. My parents would have probably disowned me if I told the council no. I wanted to though.” We look at each other and she puffs up her chest. “I told myself if Ariah could do it, so can I. It was on the tip of my tongue until they brought up my parents’ debt. Said they would add on another ten thousand moinlings to their dues if I declined. They don’t even have the first ten thousand. The thought of them working their lives away and then it falling onme, and future generations, until it’s all paid up was agonizing to think about. A crushing weight that would destroy anyone. They offered to make it disappear if I agreed to marry Morren Beetlerum.”
“We could disappear, you know. Go east, sneak our way into Saden or maybe even Ethmay. O-o-oh, we could venture into the Land of Moonlight. No one will find us there.”
She laughs and I join her until I see tears fall. I waste no time wrapping my arms around her. Salty water seeps into my top and I’m pretty sure some snot is mixed with it, but I don’t care. I hold her until she wants me to let go.
She sits in the comfort of my arms for a few minutes until she pulls away, wiping any evidence of sadness from her face. “While those are all wonderful options, we would miss our families too much. Plus, I hear you just had a niece. Congratulations, Aunty.”
A heavy breath flows out as I sit back down. “You’re right. I would miss them too much. And thank you. Her name is Peace.”
“Awe, that’s a pretty name. I bet Jaleese is obsessed.”
“Utterly.”
She locks her arm with mine and we watch ducks waddle to the water.
“Now that we’re talking again, I want to ask you for a favor.”
“No, I do not want to meet your betrothed. I met him once and that was more than enough.”
A snort slips out when she laughs. “No, that’s not it. I need a dress for tomorrow.”
“You don’t have a dress? What have you been doing these past couple of days?” I tease.
“Brooding and waiting for an apology from you,” she teases right back, and I know our little conflict is over and gone.
“I certainly can’t make one from scratch overnight, but I might be able to touch up something I already have. You’reabout Jaleese’s size before the baby. I’ll see if she’s got anything I can work with.”
She pulls me close and plants a kiss on my forehead. “I owe you. My mother found one but it is ghastly—like wearing a fishing net. Made my entire body itch.”
“Fine,” I cave. “I got you.”
