Word Count: 2694

~Aesira

I walk absently, a small woven basket bumping against my hip.

I've been exploring the woods for hours, wandering deep into the mossy depths. The maid who arrived the day after Everin and I made it to his mother's cottage has joined me as we forage for mushrooms for dinner.

It's been three days since Everin left. No word has returned about his success in addressing his pack, nor has any word come back for when I can return home.

I'm starting to get antsy.

While the maid, Faith, and the guard, Rodrick, are kind enough, I've been growing bored. There is not much to do in such a remote location. My boredom as led me to come out here in hopes of switching up my day.

The sound of heavy breathing makes me turn. Faith is picking her way around brambles, catching up to me from where she hung back to collect some mushrooms.

When she reaches my side, she plucks one out to show me.

"They should look like these, miss." She turns it over for me to view. "They usually grow out of rotting wood."

"Let's continue on, then," I say with a tight smile.

She lets out an exasperated breath, but follows. I know I should be heading back, but it's only midday, and I want to enjoy the warm sunlight streaming through the canopy above.

"May I say something?" Faith asks suddenly, falling into step beside me.

"Sure."

She smiles brightly. "You are very beautiful."

"Oh, thank you." I wasn't expecting a compliment. "You clearly don't despise me, despite who my father is."

Almost none of the staff make any effort to speak to me, aside from Maven and Mason. They aren't cruel — in fact, they try to avoid interacting with me, or even looking at me at all costs. After what Everin did to my attackers those few months back, no one has risked getting close.

"Of course not. The Alpha wouldn't have allowed me to be here otherwise," she reminds me. Her cheeks are stained so red with mirth, it even is improving my mood. "I know you are not your father. That much is obvious just from observing you."

"You're very open-minded to think so. Not many others do, Faith."

She looks ahead of us, trying to smother most of her smile, to little success. I'm about to tease her about it, when something gives me pause.

"What is that?" I ask with a frown.

Faith stops a few paces ahead, turning to look at me.

"I believe that is music," she observes. She clearly isn't surprised, unlike me.

I thought there was no civilisation for a long way. I thought I was completely alone out here, but an honour or two trek into the woods have proven otherwise.

The music is quick and jubilant in the distance, carried by a balmy midday breeze. If I strain to listen, I swear I can hear the odd shout and a bout of laughter.

"Where is it coming from?" I ask Faith.

"There is a very small village somewhere close," she tells me with a wave of her hand. "I believe they are celebrating."

"Celebrating what?"

She blinks at me, her strawberry blonde lashes fanning. "Oh...I'm not sure."

I angle my head sceptically. I'm starting to see why Faith was brought out here and not another member of Everin's staff. She is clearly familiar with the area.

"You can tell me, Faith," I insist.

She adjusts her basket into her other hand, her face tightening with anxiety. I'm almost convinced she's about to tell me a sacrifice is taking place and those are the joyous sounds of people relishing in it.

"I would never speak ill of your father, miss. Not to you, like this." She looks over my shoulder, like she might dart away.

Considering the impractically thin slippers she's wearing, I think I could catch her.

"We should go check this music out." I brush past her, heading in its general direction.

If my father has something to do with this, then I deserve to know about it.

"Alpha Everin will be home any moment now, I'm sure." She trails after me warily. "Perhaps if you ask him, he will take you."

"Doubtful," I mutter. When I realise she has stopped behind me, I pause and turn. "I'm going. Do you wish to come? You don't have to, as I don't want to get you in trouble."

She remains rooted in her spot.

"I won't get in trouble with the Alpha, miss." She smooths back an errant strand of hair. "I just think members of the village may not be receptive to your accent."

I frown, remembering myself. I often forget I don't sound like the people of this pack — I don't even really look like them, either. I'm an outsider here, regardless of how used to their customs I become.

"I'll fake one," I say simply. "I'm getting used to yours."

She looks torn. "I don't know..."

"I'm going to go." I bound forward, handing her my almost empty basket. "I'll be home for dinner, I promise!"

I slip off, and Faith doesn't protest. I don't want to worry about her, but I'm overcome with curiosity.

What could this be about? And what does my father have to do with it?

The music becomes louder with each step. I follow it blindly, slipping between tree trunks and around thorny bushes. My dress snags on the odd bramble, but I forge on, anxious to see what all the revelry is about.

I emerge from the woods slowly. The mossy forest floor turns to long, silken grass, the trees growing sparser. It breaks off into a meadow, dotted with tiny yellow and violet flowers.

I clamber up a small hill, looking down into a shallow valley that reveals the celebration.

There's a small village crammed to the brim with people. They dance around in an endless swarm, arms in the air, singing in a language I can't make out.

I start off down the hill, stunned by what I'm witnessing.

The sun beats down upon the village people and their brightly coloured garb. They all dress in greens, blues and oranges, and wear funny corded headpieces weaved with plants and flowers.

When I draw closer, the loud drumbeat of the music pounding through my skull, I notice they all hold ribbons in different colours. They twirl and glide around the spinning people, accompanying their obvious joy.

I've stumbled onto something quite incredible.

I feel no reservation as I approach the edge of the village and to the main square where people dance and eat.

A young girl no older than twelve notices me first. She breaks off from what must be her family, bounding over to me with a yellow ribbon in her hand.

"A traveller, how wonderful!" She cries out. "You've come to join, have you not?"

She takes my hand, pressing the edge of the ribbon into it. The material is soft, the long strip slumping down onto the cobbled ground at my feet.

"What is this?" I ask over the music, watching the dance on bare feet, the fabric of their dresses and trousers brushing against their feet.

"We're celebrating!" She says, grabbing my other hand. "Mama, it's a traveller!"

A woman with a long, thick braid turns to look at us. She immediately smiles, untroubled by the complete stranger who has been approached by her daughter.

I take her in as she approaches. Her neckline is damp with sweat, her colourful makeup weeping in thick lines down her face. It is messy and wonderful, and highlights her mirth incredibly.

She places a hand on my arm. "Hello dear, you must be wary from your travels. I hope you join us anyway!"

Her and her daughters accent is similar to that of everyone else in this pack, but much thicker and a little broken.

"What are you celebrating?" I ask curiously, looking around for a hint, but I find none.

"A curse was lifted from our town a year ago today!" She says brightly, rubbing a hand over her daughters fawn coloured head.

I frown. It almost feels illegal to, here.

"A curse?"

"The goddess cursed our village, and we were saved our king," she tells me. "He gained favour with the goddess again on our behalf, saving us from sickness that nearly took us all."

She clutches her daughter to her side, smiling at her fondly. It's clear there is a great and terrible history here, and they have all felt the impact of it.

It takes me a moment to process what she is saying.

"Your king? As in, Alpha Everin?"

"Yes, King Everin." She wipes her mouth, smearing whatever concoction she had painted on her lips. "He's handsome and brave, and saved us from the retched Ashwood King."

I flinch, and so do a few others nearby that overheard. Some even pause to stare, but the female before me waves them on again.

My father cursed their village? I'm not entirely certain I know what that means, since the mention of curses has never come up in my life.

Also, why do they call Everin a King? It's a foreign term that doesn't really apply to him, but they seem to happily refer to him as such.

The female clasps my shoulder, shaking me out of my thoughts.

"Join me in a dance, won't you? This celebration is to thank the goddess for her forgiveness. Since she has done so, we've seen scarcely one sick child, our harvest are bountiful and fertility has been boosted."

"I suppose that is cause for dancing," I admit, still addled with confusion.

Either she is making this all up because she is drunk, or there is some truth to her words. Either way, I can't be sure what my father's role in all this truly is.

She leads me to a nearby table, picking up a bowl and decanter. She tips a dark red liquid into the bowl before she shoves it into my hand.

"First, a drink?"

"What is it?" I stare down at it.

"Berry wine. A delicacy." She raises my hands insistently. "Take only a sip to start."

I give it a perfunctory sniff. It smells like berries but with a sharper edge. One glance around tells me everyone else is drinking it too.

"Is it strong?"

She nods eagerly. "It is potent, yes. One sip is enough to last the entire night."

"I need to be home for dinner at sunset," I tell her.

"Oh you will be."

She lifts my hands again and I take a small sip of the liquid. It might be a mistake to drink an unknown substance at a gathering full of people who may very well be delusional, but what else do I have to do today?

The wine is sweet and tangy and goes down easily. I'm almost tempted to go for another sip, but the lady grabs the bowl from my hands and sets it down. Then, she presents me her hand and...

The next thing I know, it's dark.

I've been dancing for hours. I know, because distantly I'm aware of how much agony my leg is in.

I'm practically euphoric, though. I'm twirled around by complete strangers, dancing to a constant, throbbing beat that chases my every step. I've never had so much fun in my life.

Everyone is celebrating, and not a single soul questions who I am. There's a headpiece on my head that smells like cloves, and the long yellow ribbon the girl put into my hand earlier hasn't left it since.

I'm only brought to a stop when the music abruptly pauses. Everyone ceases dancing, and then whispers begin pouring over the crowd.

"The king!" I hear someone yell.

The pretty female I've been dancing with, whose name I learnt it Freya, presses in close to me. Our bodies are both pouring with sweat, our dresses painted to our bodies.

"Oh my goodness, the king has deigned to visit us on this day," she sings in my ear.

I blink hazily as the crowd parts. Sure enough, Everin is walking through the crowd, being stopped every few seconds by his admirers.

I stay rooted on the spot, my mind spinning. I can barely think to know why he is here. Is he here for me? Did he notice my absent at the cottage and has come looking for me?

He's dressed like he's meant to be here, like he is one of these people. He wears light linen pants and a shirt, and it's been smeared with blue and green dye. The dye is even on his face, his jaw, his cheekbones. There's a headpiece on his head too, with bright flowers woven into the cord.

He is so beautiful I swear my heart has stopped...or perhaps that is the wine.

The firelight set up by the people of this village drenches his strong features, and the soft easy smile he grants his people with.

Freya jumps forward into his path.

"King Everin, this is such an honour," she gushes.
 
"It is my pleasure to..." He breaks off as his golden gaze flutters over her shoulder to me. "Aesira?"

He's stunned. He wasn't expecting to see me.

All of a sudden, I'm overcome with joy to see him. It's been only a couple days, and yet it feels like we've been separated for a lifetime.

"Everin, you've returned!" I clap my hands together, closing the gap between us. "And you're here!"

He takes in the sight of me — my stained dress, sweat slick skin and even the faint hobble to my walk.

"What are you doing here?" He demands. He doesn't sound angry, just surprised.

"What does it look like? I'm having the time of my life!" I exclaim, and a few people cheer in agreement.

"It looks like it." He smiles a little, and it's enough to melt me. "Faith told me you were sleeping in your room."

I laugh, smothering the sound behind my hand. I'll have to remember to get the maid a gift for being bold enough to lie to her Alpha.

"Wow, she is brilliant." I tilt my head to meet his gaze. "Why are you here?"

"It is a special day. I figured I was in the area and I should check up on my people." He looks around as they begin dancing again, wanting to share their celebrations with their king.

I realise, in my drunken stupor, that Everin cares deeply about these strange village people. His face has softened with fondness.

"Oh yeah...you lifted the curse." I smack his chest playfully. My cheeks are starting to hurt from all the smiling I'm doing.

He looks down at me, eyes warm and gentle.

"Something like that," he murmurs. "Come now, let us return home."

We don't live at that cottage, but I'm starting to realise that home is just wherever Everin is.

"No, not yet." I pull petulantly. "You owe these people at least an hour."

They cheer in agreement.

"And you owe your leg a rest." He looks down at it with a frown. I wouldn't be surprised if he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.

"My leg feels fine." That's a lie, but I'll worry about the consequences later. "Dance with me."

She shakes his head, a single curl of hair brushing against his brow. "No. Let's go."

"King Everin, dance with me," I demand, stepping back and offering him my hand. "Lest you offend these good people."

He looks around again, and I know I've got him.

He slips his hand into mine, then pulls me close. "Very well. One dance."

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