The Seelie Curse

Chapter 64

Astrila watches the trees with a smile. Her cousin has been gone with the kelpie boy for a good long period of time now. The murmuring of Rowan and Andrian stops from behind her, Astrila can hear the soft sound of footsteps. Rowan steps up to her side, gazing out towards the trees. Astrila can see the other girl's eyes flicker toward her face. Astrila's smile grows just a bit wider.

With a teasing note to her voice, Astrila says, "What is it, Ro?"

Rowan shrugs slightly, only the barest lift to her shoulders. "What are you so smug about?"

Astrila laughs. "How preoccupied were you?"

Rowan flushes, red spreading down her neck. The colour is almost as bright as her hair. "With Andrian?"

"What do you think?"

Rowan's eyes flicker down towards the ground and her flush deepens further, if that is even possible. "So yes, you're referring to me and Andrian?" Astrila shoots her a grin. "Sorry?"

Astrila laughs. "Oh, don't be. I was messing with you. You two are sweet together, don't be embarrassed."

"So, what exactly did I miss?"

"Look around."

Rowan does so and begins to frown, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Where's Wave and Cáel?"

Astrila's grin widens. "Exactly."

"I don't get it. Where are they? Why are you so smug?"

Astrila raises an eyebrow at the other girl, incredulous. "Wave is Cáel's cridhe, yes?"

"Yes . . ." Rowan's eyes widen, realization hitting her at last. "Oh! You didn't-"

Astrila laughs. "I did. They weren't going to spend time together unless they were pushed to do it, so I made them take a walk."

"How long have they been gone?"

Astrila gives Rowan a smug smile. "Since you and Andrian started getting preoccupied."

Rowan flushes crimson. She mutters beneath her breath, "We weren't that bad."

Astrila laughs again and nudges Rowan with her shoulder. "Relax. You're too easy to rile up."

"You're the one who keeps trying to rile me up."

Astrila lifts a hand. "Alright, alright. I'll stop."

Rowan mutters a "Thank you." She pauses. "So they've been gone for-"

"An hour. At least."

"What have they been doing?"

"Why don't you ask them yourself?"

Rowan twists sharply to look at Astrila in shock. Astrila just motions to the trees, where she can hear the crunch of leaves crackling underfoot. Just as Astrila finishes her motion, a flicker of silver hair appears in the shadows. Kyma steps out, halting when she sees Rowan and Astrila staring towards her.

Cáel comes up behind her, walking straight into the girl's back. Even at a distance, Astrila can see Kyma turn around to see Cáel's shocked expression. He says something to her and she points, right towards Astrila. Hesitantly, Cáel waves. With a laugh, Astrila beckons. Cáel walks over sheepishly, Kyma trailing a step behind him.

"Should we have stayed in the woods?"

Kyma and Cáel watch Astrila's expression with bated breath and wary eyes. Astrila stays silent for a moment, drawing out the suspense. Then she breaks out into laughter.

"You two are hilarious. You're fine. Although you," she points to Cáel. "You might want to hide from your brother for a while."

Cáel's gaze goes straight to Andrian, who had stepped up behind Astrila. Rowan had moved backwards, into his arms. With the slightest turn of her head, Astrila can see Rowan leaning her head on Andrian's shoulder. Cáel frowns.

"Why?"

"Wrong brother."

Cáel pales and raises his gaze to look towards the house. Astrila twists around to see Camden standing in the window, his arms crossed and a grin on his face. Cáel groans.

"I'm not going to hear an end to this, am I?"

Camden disappears from the window to poke his head out the door. His voice is full of laughter as he shouts, "I'm afraid not!"

Kyma looks shocked at his response. "How'd you know what he was going to say?"

"Because I'm his brother and I can guess his reaction. Now," Camden makes his way over to them. "Did you two have fun?"

Kyma glances at Cáel's face. "We talked."

"Is that all?"

At Kyma's confused expression, Camden nods downward. Astrila looks at Kyma's ankle to see a piece of jewelry there, a chain of golden beads around a blue stone. She glances at Rowan's wrist to find a similar bracelet.

"What is that?"

Rowan is the one to answer. "It lets those of us who aren't kelpies traverse the passage." Her words are directed at Kyma now. "I can teach you."

Kyma nods and follows Rowan towards the river. Astrila smiles at the three brothers and narrows her eyes at Camden.

"Don't give him too much trouble, all right?"

Camden grins back, his voice soft. "No promises."

With a bark of laughter, Astrila turns to follow the other girls back towards the river.
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I love them all. Do you? What do you think of this? What's going to happen next? Tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~Goddess of Fate, signing out.