The Spirit Walker (BOOK ONE): The Ripple

Chapter Twenty-One

We float along the Tanasi River, passing broad expanses of verdant land, the hazy blue of not-so-distant mountains an ever-present barrier between earth and sky. We have passed many settlements so far- sleepy fishing villages cluttered with canoes and bustling cities with brick streets and extensive docks- but for the most part, the twisting Tanasi is bordered by unspoiled earth.

It takes us sixteen hours to sail from Ku'a Gardh to our first stop of the tour- Chattanooga- the capitol of Clan Maclean.

Maise and I sit in the living room, she with her embroidery and I with my children's study books, the radio playing it's strange-yet-familiar music softly in the background, counting down the hours until our arrival.

I studiously avoid looking at the photograph someone has clipped from the morning newspaper, framed, and set in a place of prominence. It makes my cheeks warm and my chest feel tight and my palms slick with nerves.

Maise must see me sneaking a glance and averting my gaze, again, because she smiles knowingly. Thankfully, she does not comment.

I had my fill of those at the breakfast table this morning.

The memory of Calum's hands on me is enough to make me shiver and shudder and yearn. Looking at a photograph of his fingers digging into my waist, my hands against his chest, his eyes boring into mine, dark with desire, his full lips curved into a sensual smile...

I curse myself for sneaking another glance at it.

It is a great photo, I have to admit. It looks like it was ripped out of a page of Vogue, or belongs on a movie poster. I'd probably appreciate it more if it didn't make me so uncomfortable.

At least whoever framed it had clipped out the title. Though written in Sagwu, I had been informed it translated to something along the lines of: "Something's in the Air! Could it be... an Heir?"

I cringe just thinking about it.

I clear my throat. "Maise. The people of Ku'a Gardh... they reacted very differently to me than the people of Tokiyastee. Everyone in Tokiyastee seemed to hate me."

Maise sets down her hoop. "They did not hate you. They feared you."

I blink.

Maise picks up the embroidery again, seemingly needing something to keep her hands occupied.

"The Righ does not like to spend much time in Ku'a Gardh. He and Bhanrigh Ceallach spent most of their time in Tokiyastee. It is a small town- everyone knows everyone. Ceallach was personally acquainted with almost everyone there. Seeing you was... uncomfortable. The people in Ku'a Gardh did not know Bhanrigh Ceallach outside of photographs, radio shows, and stories. The fact that you look like her only makes you more interesting to them."

I hum, and glance back over the room. "Why are there no pictures of her?" I ask, after a moment, and Maise pauses. "There wasn't even a portrait of her at the Righ's estate. It's strange."

"I had them put away."

Calum's voice zings straight through me, as it always does. More so now, after our stupid, stupid explorations in the carriage. Maise gives me a quick, knowing smile, and then excuses herself.

"Why?" I ask, closing my study book and setting it to the side.

"I did not wish for you to be uncomfortable," he replies, his tone indicating that the answer should have been obvious.

"Does it make you uncomfortable? To see her, when you look at me?" I ask, not sure I want to know the answer.

Calum sighs- a heavy sound. "Sometimes," he admits.