The Open Sky: Eternal Forest Saga - Book 3

Chapter 15

 It was a Windsong tradition that the Thorn captain led patrols during the Shimmer-sehr ceremony. Sparrow received her mark from the High Priestess early in the morning, with only the Rose in attendance. Having been captain for a few years now, it was something she'd grown used to, but it did always hurt a bit to have to miss out on the festivities. This year, however, she was more than happy to do so. Because working the ceremony meant she would be off duty that night when the festival was in full swing.

She and Dewdrop had planned it all out perfectly. After the rite was performed, the Rose told her guards that she felt ill and wished to retire for the remainder of the evening with no disturbances. That freed her up to wash off all the makeup and hair dye, get ready for the party, and slip out through her secret passageway undetected.

In previous years, Sparrow didn't care so much for the Shimmer-sehr festival. She wore to it whatever she'd worn on patrol that day and more or less treated the event as something she felt obligated to monitor like a security guard. This year, upon finishing her patrol, she went immediately home and prepared for the festivities.

Sparrow didn't own many dresses, and even fewer that anyone would describe as elegant, but there was one buried under all the other garments that she'd hardly ever worn. It was the same crimson red as her hair, with no sleeves and a plunging neckline. She put it on and gave a little twirl, letting the flowing, knee-length skirt billow around her legs. Sparrow even took the time to do her makeup. She wanted to take Dewdrop's breath away at first sight. Tonight would be a big risk, but she didn't know if they'd ever have a chance to be together like this again, and everything had to be just right.

By the time she got to the platform, the sun was almost gone and the festival lights were all lit. Hundreds of oil lanterns were wrapped in colorful fabric and hung in lines between the branches. It was like a sea of colorful stars. There was music playing, and the platform was alive with activity. Everyone looked so elegant. It was all things she'd seen for years, but tonight it felt more magical than ever.

She found Dragonfly standing on the edge of the platform and gazing off into the blackness of the night sky. "Everything okay?" she asked him.

He nodded. "Just wish Mantis was here."

"I hope you're not mad at me for having him work tonight," she said. "The patrols are the same every year."

Dragonfly shook his head. "I'm not upset. When you marry a high-ranking Thorn, you have to expect things like this. I'm proud of him and what he does." He turned to her and smiled. "Where's Dewdrop? Isn't she coming?"

"I just haven't found her yet," she replied while scanning the crowd. "I'm sure it will be difficult to see her in this big group of..." And then, there she was. Dewdrop's blue and white hair was braided and pinned into swinging loops. Her flowing dress came down to her ankles, and was as blue as the sky on a cloudless, summer day. The light of the lanterns shined against the highlights on her cheekbones. Their eyes met and Dewdrop smiled. Her lips were the color of ripe raspberries. Sparrow had never seen anything so beautiful in all her life.

"There you are," Dewdrop said as she took Sparrow's hands. Her smile was brighter than all of the lanterns combined. Their lips met. Sparrow couldn't fathom a more perfect moment than this.

"You look beautiful," Sparrow said.

Dewdrop blushed. "I'd say the same about you, but I fear the word hardly does you justice."

"There she is," Dragonfly said. He took Dewdrop's left hand and placed a gentlemanly kiss on her fingers.

"Dragonfly, right?" Dewdrop questioned.