If only she knew the truth…
“I believe in you,” Salinda whispered, then took her leave.
Cora watched her go, stomach sinking under Salinda’s faith in her. Part of her wanted to run after the woman, take all her doubts back, profess that she really did want to take the path of elders. That same part of her craved the future the opportunity offered.
Prestige.
Respect.
Family.
But it would all be a lie. Cora may have been a witch, but she wasn’t truly one of them. No matter how much she wished it, no matter how much she yearned to bury her past, it haunted her.
With the resurgence of her nightmares and Roije’s mysterious warning…
She felt more than haunted.
She felt hunted.
6
Night had fully fallen and Cora still couldn’t bring herself to return to camp. The Beltane ceremony would soon commence, something she dreaded in and of itself. During her first few years with the Forest People, Beltane had become one of her favorite holidays. She loved dressing in her brightest skirts, wearing flowers in her hair, dancing around bonfires, weaving ribbons around the maypole. However, now that she was older, she was acutely aware of the deeper themes that came with the holiday. Fertility, primarily. Or, to put it bluntly, lovemaking.
Not long ago, Cora had entertained the idea of taking a lover from the commune, but it had culminated in nothing more than heated kisses and a few experimental trysts. That was all it took for her to learn what risks came with romantic pairings. Not the usual dangers the young women whispered about during their monthly moon cycles, but ones personal to Cora. Intimacy. Honesty. Questions she couldn’t answer. The discomfort of being courted into a deeper relationship than she was capable of having.
And after what happened with Roije earlier today, Cora wasn’t sure she was ready to face him. Especially not at Beltane. There was still a chance her first instinct had been correct. That he favored her. Romantically.
Cora shook the thought from her head and collected her latest bunch of arrows from her target. Her aim had significantly improved since her conversation with Salinda, but it was too dark to practice any longer.
As much as she wanted to avoid what came next, she knew it was time to face it. Beltane. Salinda’s offer. Roije.
With her quiver full, she made her way back toward camp, her steps purposefully slow. She was only halfway there when a light shone up ahead, revealing two figures behind it. They were too distant to make out, but when Cora opened her senses, extending them until she tapped into a much-familiar energy, she knew who at least one of them was. With a deep breath, she replaced her mental shields and closed the distance between her and her lantern-bearing friend. As she drew near, she realized the second girl was Gisele. Maiya still wore her colorful skirts and flower-laced braids while Gisele was outfitted in her finest floral-patterned dress, her golden-brown hair tied up in a ruby scarf.
“There you are,” Maiya said. “Mother told me she found you practicing, but I didn’t think you’d still be out here.”
Gisele’s lips twisted in a wry grin. “Oh, Cora. Always the overachiever. But enough work for the day. We’re going to the hot springs.”
Maiya gave Gisele a sharp look. “I said I’d only go if Cora does.”
Gisele quirked a brow at Cora. “Of course she wants to go.”
Cora frowned. “What about Beltane? The ceremony—”
“The ceremony is the same every year,” Gisele said with a roll of her eyes. “Besides, the boys are extra ravenous tonight, if you know what I mean. Had I any magic, I’m sure I could smell the desire raging through camp already.” Gisele’s mother was a clairalient witch, her magic rooted in scent, but unlike Cora and Maiya, Gisele showed neither talent nor interest in the Arts. Not everyone born within the commune did. “And I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough ofboys. They can come find me when they’re ready to be men.”
Cora suppressed a huff of laughter. Gisele had certainly made her rounds when it came to sampling the company of single men within the commune. She’d never complained about it before. Cora turned her attention to Maiya and quirked a suggestive brow. “What about you? Is there any reason you might want to enjoy the ceremony?”
Even under the warm glow of the lantern, Cora saw a blush crawl from Maiya’s neck to her cheeks. They both knew Cora was hinting at Roije. “No,” she said too quickly, her voice small. “But…but I’d understand if there was a reasonyouwanted to go.”
Cora didn’t need to let down her shields to understand the meaning behind her words. Maiya must have come to the same conclusion Cora had first entertained regarding Roije’s earlier summons. More than that, she was giving her blessing. Giving Cora the go ahead to court the man Maiya had fancied for years. Her friend was always too generous. Too kind. A trait that would probably annoy Cora to no end were it anyone else. But with Maiya…that was just how she was. She was the best of them.
Cora gave her friend a pointed look. “No, Maiya, there’s not asingle reasonI’d want to attend tonight’s ceremony. I promise you.”
Maiya’s lips pressed into a shy smile while Gisele looked from one girl to the other, brow furrowed. “Does that mean you’re both coming or not?”
Cora didn’t immediately answer. Going to the hot springs would provide the perfect distraction both from Salinda’s offer and the inevitable romantic overtures she was sure to receive from one source or another. But she didn’t want to keep Maiya from enjoying what could potentially be a pleasant night, should she finally get the courage to speak to Roije about her feelings.
As if Maiya knew exactly what Cora was thinking, she lifted her chin in defiance. “I already told you, I don’t want to go to the ceremony.”
