Our house never felt so full.
With Demelza and Arnold joining us, it felt so lively. We soon laughed when hearing the loud snoring coming inside where Alexander was sleeping.
The kids were playing with toys we brought back and eating candied pineapple they seemed to enjoy.
Eli and Mother started on the cooking.
Demelza and granny were chatting about the clothes I bought. I wanted to give Zephyr his present but wanted to do it when we were alone.
I kept looking for an opening, but he just sat there politely listening to us chit-chat.
" This ones are beautiful, Lylly. " - she lifted a long white dress and admired. " You have a good eye for clothes."
" I bought one too many..and that one would look great on you. Why don't you try it on."
Before she could try to refuse, Granny reassured her.
" It's true this would look lovely and might even be just the thing to aid your husbands recovery." - she poked her side, eliciting some giggles.
I watched them all happy about and felt my face heating up.
I mean, I am 20 years old. I shouldn't be this..innocent about it. I felt like maybe Zephyr felt this way soon. Looking at the man was useless. He looked as pleased as ever. I know it's nonsense.. we haven't even kissed yet.
Lucian came through the door with her mother close behind and smiled at Eli first before turning to Zephyr.
" They all gathered."
" Thank you, Lucian. Hello Mrs Mordin."
She returned his greeting, then joined Eleanor and Mother, helped them cook.
He seemed tired already, and it's not even night yet. He and Granny were about to leave, but Ilianna wanted to go with him.
So she did... he can't say no to her.
I wanted to go too. Obviously I'm not supposed to, these meetings are for the village elders. My bet was, if I just showed up hand in hand with Zephyr, nobody would dare to say anything.
" You can't come, Lylly.."
My grandmother saw right through me.
Zephyr was busy talking to Lucian further off. So, I walked a little further myself and waited for granny to catch up.
" Why not? I'm supposed to be by his side, and Ilianna also goes with. " - she didn't even pay attention." .. I also wanna hear the meeting. Please? "
" If you were his wife, you would be welcomed to.. but that's a little further away, and Ilianna is his daughter now.." - she killed my plan with facts and poked my face.
" Don't be childish.He probably just wants to discourage those who still want to fight, Emet. It's nothing interesting."
I felt pouty.. but didn't want to act like that in front of granny or Zephyr.
" Fine..he probably tells me everything later."
" Yes .." - she patted my head like adults do to delusional children and then stabbed me. "..maybe, then you can stop playing it so slow and take the leap."
" What? P-playing what?
She took me further inside, where Alexander still slept soundly.
" Sweetheart.. I know you don't have any experience with man and that's fine. " - from her tone, it was clear that by fine she meant as family, not a human being. " But for weeks now, he is making his intentions clear. Have you?"
I tried.
I wanted to wait until the sacrifice, but now that all is about to change too. She is right.. I need to make my feelings crystal clear.
" I want to give him the necklace.." - I picked it out and let it unravel itself and catch the light spinning around. " I will let him know my intentions than. So..hurry and bring him back quickly, please."
Her expression seemed proud and relieved.
I guess she's been worried about my inexperience. But even someone like me can tell.. I loved him.
I wanted him to know.
I hugged my grandmother. Without her ..I'll probably still be confused by all these new feelings.
They soon left, and I needed more experienced womens help. So I turned to my mother, Demelza, and Miranda for advice.
" Mom.. I need your help with something. " - I grabbed her hands and looked at the boiling pots." Can you help pick out a dress and pack some of your dinner for a picnic? "
She screamed loud and threw the spoon she held into the air, jumping to hug me.
" Sweetheart.. I can't believe it's tonight. I have been waiting so long." - she sounded relieved. " Look at you late bloomer..you want me to give you pointers? "
I freed my mouth from my mother's shoulder so I could answer her.
" I don't know what you thinking is gonna happen, but I just want to..make our relationship official.
Nothing dirty,.. probably !! "
The last word was so silent that I might as well just keep it in. And yet everyone joined my mother screaming they all had excellent hearing.
It's lucky we didn't wake Alexander.
The cooking was left to Miranda, and I was taken by my mother, Eli, and Demelza away to get dressed and hopefully make me somewhat attractive.
" For Ehlite, I never understand why you got your fathers hair, honey. " - mother played with my disaster of a hair. " Well, at least your skin came from me.."
" You do have nice skin, sis. Do you plan to give the necklace you bought for him?" - Eli ran her fingers along my arm, tickling it.
I had it with me. I showed it to mom and Demelza, who haven't seen it yet.
" It matches his eyes and hair. He gonna love this... your first gift.."
My mother shed some happy tears. While admiring my gift to Zephyr.
" Look at you.. I'm happy for you, Lylly. For the both of you."
Having my sister and mother share in this happiness..looking back at myself, I can hardly remember how it felt to be so alone..to feel so lost.
I couldn't believe it was less than a month ago, and it feels like another life, a sad one.
" Thank you two for putting up with my stubbornness for all these years. I felt I needed to let this off my chest. " All that you had endured.. I promise I'll make it up too.. you t-two."
I tried but couldn't stop the tears. All the guilt I've been feeling, the frustration with the world surrounding me, the fear we as a village lived in since long before my time.
All that came out, and I felt my chest lighter.
" There's nothing to make up for. You protected your heart.. because deep down you knew there was someone better out there.." - mother played with my hair and wiped her own tears. " Lucky for you, Eli was nice enough to find him for you."
We laughed and cried for a little bit, time passed and I was ready as I'll ever be.
I felt like a brand new person, and not just because of the new dress and makeup they put on me.
---
I arrived at the field we left just a few hours ago.
I placed down a blanket and put the food on the side. I also brought some wine following Mother and Demelza's advice.
Eli stood by the main hall, and when people saw people leaving, she ran home, giving me enough time to set up everything.
I listened to the sounds of the summer night. I loved how the frogs and insects took over the morning songbirds' job.
The moons were waning, and their light bathed the field in ethereal light. That same light bounced back from the water of the Sen.
I should really spend more time down here with Zephyr and Anna just watching the stars and listening to this music of the night.
I heard footsteps behind me and saw Zephyr walking up to me slowly. On the small hill, I decided to place our night picnic.
He stopped just a few feet from me. The moonlight paired perfectly with his hair and unearthly presence.
" Are we having a picnic under the moons?" - he looked up and admiringly to them.
" I wanted to do something nice for you..also I wanted to talk."
He laid down next to me and took my hand.
" Then let's talk.."