Lightless Path

Chapter 2: The Evening Glade

"I thought the scene I made was answer enough." Mae slipped on her beige sandals.

"Choking on your food isn't an answer. I would like to arrange a beneficial marriage for you." Kris crossed his arms and raised a brow.

"That's fine." Mae tapped her nails against her vanity.

"Is it?" Kris frowned. He crossed a foot over his ankle, silently challenging her to speak her mind.

"You know what Kris." Mae dabbed lavender perfume on her wrists and neck. "Make a list of suitable matches and I will evaluate them for myself."

"Like you're doing such a good job now."

"I'll put all that in the past." She closed her eyes in frustration. "You don't have to worry, I'll turn Naethyn away."

"Make sure you do," Kris said firmly.

Mae held his gaze unflinchingly, "So I don't make the same mistake you did?"

Kris looked like she had smacked him, "Mae, I don't wish that pain upon you." Though his face twisted with pain, his voice had softened.

Mae's heart ached, ashamed. Quickly, to hide the self-disgust she felt, she picked up two diamond earrings and clasped them to her ears—they curved into the shape of quarter moons.

She shared a glance with Nystaryl in the mirror. She would have ample time for further discussion with Kris after they passed their trials.

Even at that thought, a knot twisted in Mae's gut.

"Wish us well Kris!" Mae said with a too-sweet tone. She grabbed Nystaryl's wrist and pulled her along, rushing to escape out the garden door.

"What about your parents?" He called. Mae glanced back when he stepped outside, the collar of his light blue tunic fluttered in the slight breeze. The sun struck his face and his skin shimmered elegantly in the late morning light.

"I've already got my well wishes from them!" She shouted back over her shoulder before she and Nya broke into a run. White trees flashed by them in Mae's desire to get far away from the house. Although it was the biggest in her town, she had never felt more suffocated by it.

Mae followed an animal path for half a mile until she and Nystaryl reached the main road, not far from the more clustered part of her town.

Trees curved and twisted, forming a few dozen storefronts and residences. Birds filled the air with lively songs. They darted from branch to branch, even landing on the arms and shoulders of elves, playfully chirping and fluttering. Mae chuckled as she watched a few birds dive-bomb squirrels who got too close to their people.

She spotted a familiar doe walking around stalls investigating the shawls on display. "Nina," Mae said softly. She moved up to Nina and gently stroked the three white spots on her left flank. Mae's eyes widened, she spotted a fawn investigating a woman who was busy hanging up some scarves not far from his mother.

Nina nosed Mae's hand, "You had your baby!" She gushed. "I'm happy you brought him to meet everyone." She stroked Nina's head and neck and watched Nystaryl introduce herself to the fawn. Mae knew Nina understood the meaning of the words even if she didn't understand their language.

"You have your mommy's marks!" Nystaryl cooed.

The familiar scent of chamomile and mint reached Mae's nose. She turned to look at the source. "Galia!"

"Are you excited!" Galia's voice rose in pitch, as her friend came into view. Galia's thin, oval face was framed by long black bangs, and the rest of her hair was pulled up into a messy bun. Dark circles hung under her twinkling brown eyes.