Sea Dweller (Birthstone Series) Read Free Page B

rushed
to envelop me in spite of my unsure strokes. It would be the only place I felt
peace for a while.

 
    Chapter 2
     
    Vairda was the largest out of
the nine islands nestled in our stretch of sea.  My family lived on the
outskirts of the most populated village, Lailie, not far from the shore where I
usually met Sai. Lailie was also the designated location for the festival.
    That night, I walked home on
a well-trodden road lined with thick palms and feathery undergowth.  I’d chosen
to follow a route through the village in hopes of glimpsing the festival
preparations.
    The community bustled as I
strolled through its fire lit streets. Women chatted as they hung abundant
baskets of flowers from totems and men strategically situated giant statues of
whales and sea monsters, carved to appear as though they leapt from the ground.
Everywhere I looked villagers hustled and worked, preparing for the biggest
event on the island calendar.  It was the most I’d ever seen during festival
time and I relished each sight as if I were a part of it.
    Stone streets made up most of
the city and circling the city center were round huts belonging to Lailie’s
leaders. Each hut surface had been decorated with sea shells and colorful
stones. From every door was a path leading to a single fist-sized intricately
carved stone in the middle of the wheel shaped layout. Long ago, Sai had told
me the village had been built around that stone due to its beauty. 
    Making my way through the
town, I stopped at the center and turned around several times, admiring the
decorations. I glimpsed a few disapproving glances thrown my way but ignored
them. I knew my presence was a surprise.
    I hungrily drank in the
sights before moving on toward the fringe of trees bordering the village.
Casting one last glance toward some of the more unusual decorations, I
disappeared beneath the dark canopy. I hadn’t gone more than five steps when
the sound of my name halted me.
    “Aylen, wait!” I cringed when
I recognized the voice and wished I’d been three seconds faster in walking
through town. Turning, I forced myself to smile.
    “Hi, Faema!” The enthusiasm
in my voice was as thin as strained mango juice.
    “I went back to the beach to
find you after Sai and I left. You weren’t there,” Faema said.
    “I went for a swim. Good
swimming weather this time of year.”
    “That’s unusual for you.
You’re not much of a swimmer.” Faema offered a sour smirk. “Anyway, I thought
about what you said and I wanted to issue a personal invitation for you to come
to the festival to witness my crowning as Vairdan princess. We may even have a
few small tasks you could help with. I doubt you could ruin the really simple
chores.”
    She had my full attention
now.  I realized it wasn’t enough that Sai would be her escort. She wanted to
verbally torture me as well.
    “You’re so thoughtful. Sort
of,” I said, trying to turn my frustration into a cohesive sentence. “My
parents —” I began before Faema cut me off.
    “Oh, that’s right! Your
parents won’t let you. It’s too bad they don’t feel you’re ready to make your
own decisions yet.”
    I forced a smile. “I can make my own decisions.” It was a lame response and we both knew it was a lie.
However, I wasn’t going to allow Faema to think she’d walked away the victor of
this particular battle.
    “Well, then you might want to
consider making a showing to see Sai and I stand together while I receive the
crown. Keep in mind, he won’t have time to be with you. As my escort, he’ll be
committed only to me for the evening. Maybe if you find a way to attend, I
could dig up an escort for you. I think Corla has a twelve year old brother
who’s free.”
    My phony smile grew wider.
“Thanks for the offer Faema, but I would prefer my escort to choose me. I
wouldn’t stoop to begging for one.”
    Faema tossed her flaxen hair
behind her shoulders and laughed. “If you think I had to beg Sai, you’re