Priestess

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Tenan extended his hand to Ara. “Might I have the honor of dancing with the second most beautiful woman in attendance?”

Ara smirked in mock flirtation and gave a customary bow. He began maneuvering her about the grassy earth. She laughed when he stepped on her foot, and then laughed harder when he did it again.

Tenan stuck out his chin. “I’ll have none of that little sister! After all, I’m the eldest. Show some respect.”

Ara swallowed her laughter. Moving slowly and deliberately, she stepped on his toe.

“Ow!”

She blinked innocently. “It wouldn’t do for the younger to best her elder.” She stepped on his toe again. “There, now we’re equals again.”

Tipping back his head, Tenan roared with laughter.

Ara had so missed his throaty laugh! They danced, if his awkward shuffle could be called dancing, for the rest of the song, and then Kendrake bowed to her.

As Tenan steered their mother away, Ara called after her, “Be careful, Mother! He has all the grace of a moose!”

Tenan lifted his head. “Don’t listen to that silly girl. One can’t help but step on feet purposely placed in one’s path.” With that, he tried, and failed, to whisk Qessa away.

Her father chuckled. “Having a good time?”

She sobered. All the cautious stares—the whispered comments. Only the returned soldiers seemed oblivious. But if their mothers had any say in it, not for long. “Yes, Father. I . . .” Her voice trailed away when Coen stopped next to them.

He bowed from the waist and performed the formal greeting among strangers—a symbolic cleansing and a promise of honesty. Cupping his hands, he passed the metaphoric water over his face, cleansing himself of all guile and breathing in purification and out deception. “I am Coen, Cent for the Kingdom of Nonae.”

One eyebrow cocked in surprise, Kendrake followed suit. “I am Kendrake, rancher of the village Bondell.”

Coen transferred his gaze to Ara. “I would request, sir, the opportunity to dance with your daughter.”

Ara shifted her weight. Why the formality?

Her father placed her hand in Coen’s. “May I introduce Ara Kendrake’s daughter. Guard her life as you would your own, for I will require it if harm comes to her.”

A flutter arose in Ara’s chest when her hand touched Coen’s. And when he took her in his arms, a flush wound up her neck. She felt the expanse of his hands warm over her skin. His proximity made her tingle with heat. She was acutely aware of the fact that this was the closest she’d ever been to a man.

He wasn’t as stocky as her brother, but taller with arms that were lithe under her hands, as if someone had slipped smooth stones under his skin. He was also an especially deft dancer, particularly after her run in with Tenan.

But there was more that was different about Coen. She brushed her Gift across him and it left her thinking of salt and water and forest thick with green. She made the mistake of looking into his eyes, and couldn’t seem to look away, for they were the brightest cobalt blue she had ever seen. And as before, they unnerved her.

He smiled kindly enough, revealing deep dimples on both cheeks. She found herself allowing him to pull her closer, and the warmth from his hands seemed minor compared to his whole body next to hers.