Airess turned on her side, propping her head up with her hand. “You don’t mention your grandmother often.”
Taryn looked away. “She taught me everything I know about the constellations and the Gods, it’s where my fascination with them began,” he paused, lowering the tone of his voice. “She passed when I was thirteen.”
Airess swallowed, choosing her words carefully for her response. It was the first personal bit of information Taryn had shared with her and she wanted to respond respectfully. There was still so much about him she didn’t know,neededto know, about him. Taryn was still very much a mystery, but had become… dare she think afriendover the past few weeks of traveling.
“I’m sure she would be proud that you’ve kept your passion after all these years.” Airess finally replied.
Taryn frowned, his dark brows creasing in denial. “Not after what I’ve become.”
“Is this – is this afair?” Airess asked with surprise in her tone. Taryn looked down at her, his face laced with amusement at the excitement brewing in her wide eyes. She grinned.
Her hair had been entirely pulled back and concealed in a scarf, only two strands left free to frame her face. It was necessary to conceal her most distinct feature with wanted posters of her–of both of them–plastered around the town. Taryn opted to wear the hood on his cloak to cover his Fae ears, though it wasn’t uncommon for Noborne Fae to walk amongst Zartown, a lower-income area.
Airess noticed the dark blue banners, a silver moon and golden stars stitched on the fabric. The street was bustling with countless vendors, smells of cooked meats and sweet pastries wafting through the air. A musician played nearby, a crowd of people around, singing along. They stomped to the melody, and a certain intensity thrummed through Airess' body at the sight of it.
“What are they celebrating?” Airess asked. They began to walk down the street. Taryn’s protective hand hovering behind her back didn’t go unnoticed. She glanced at his arm, and when their eyes met, his arm dropped, as if he didn’t realize he was doing it. She ignored the disappointment at the loss of his touch.
“The sun and the moon Gods, Ghrian and Gealach. It’s the year of the Salamoon. Each year they hold a different fair for each God.”
“I wasn’t aware people still worshiped the original Gods, much less have an entire celebration for them,” Airess replied.
“The capital may only worship Bas, but the rest of the country still worships all five of the original Gods.”
“That’s right,” Airess said. “The year of the Salamoon marks the year of Sun and Moon, only to recur every four years. Isn’t it a bit early though for a celebration? The Salamoon is only a month or so away.”
“I suppose it is. Though it is never too early to celebrate the upcoming new year,” Taryn contemplated.
Airess chuckled quietly to herself, causing Taryn to raise a brow. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. The Salamoon happens to be my birthday.”
Taryn stopped walking, gently gripping her elbow to stop her. “TheSalamoonfalls on your birthday this year?”
“Well, yes,” she said playfully, but her features melted as she noticed his doubtful look. “Why?”
Taryn shook his head. “That also happens to be…mybirthday.”
“What?” she said with a surprised look. “You were born on the same day four years before me?”
“I… suppose I was,” Taryn said, scratching a nonexistent itch on the back of his neck. His gaze fell to the ground, a look Airess began to learn was deep contemplation.
“What are the odds?” Taryn asked her jokingly as they walked onward. Airess’ eyes slid to his as the sunset glow painted his features. She couldn’t deny it, he was a handsome Fae male –
“Youthere!” an old voice beckoned. Airess turned to the source. An elderly Human woman, draped in a vibrantly colored shawl, intensely stared at Airess. The woman’s long gray hair was in a braid that fell down her back, but it was her stark blue eyes that stood out to Airess the most.
The woman sat in front of a small stand amongst the vendors, her booth enclosed with a tent that encircled her. Intricately illustrated cards, glittering crystals and lit candles were scattered amongst the table. The title of her sign read:
Mara’s Fortunes and Prophecies!
“Can I interest you in a free reading, my dear?” Mara asked, a glint of mystery flashing within her gaze. Airess couldn’t place it, but there was something about the woman drawing her in–as if the universe was trying to push her in the right direction, urging her to listen.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Taryn roll his eyes. Airess smirked, grabbed his hand, and dragged him toward Mara.
“Hello,” Airess greeted awkwardly, sitting in front of Mara. The strong fragrance of perfume and the burning herbs on the table blasted Airess’ nose. Airess stifled a cough and blinked her Sight forward, delighted to see such clean, pure energy the color of the sky enveloping the old woman.
“Ah, two threads weave together. One crimson. One emerald. What an interesting pair,” Mara muttered, eyes darting between the two before she brought out a deck of cards. Airess’ brows creased at the cryptic words, and she began to question what exactly she was walking into. Mara’s thick stack of bracelets and rings clinked together as she began to shuffle the cards with ease, diverting her attention to Airess.
“Alright. You can choose the cards or fortune, but you can’t have both!Thatwould cost extra.”
