Marren approached my side. “The ceremony can be as simple as having Danst preside if you so wish.”
“Please, leave me out of this, she hates me enough already,” Danst said.
“I don’t hate you, Danst. I know you, and I understand the reasons behind what you did and already forgave you. Now stop sulking, and cheer up!”
Whether my words had finally convinced him or the light of the fire that reflected off them, Danst’s eyes lightened and seemed less heavy with guilt.
“What do I need to do?” I asked Marren.
“Follow a simple ceremony in front of my people where we are presented together and make public our intentions to remain together forever.”
“That’s all?”
Marren smiled. “Well, all you’re willing to give.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
“Okay,” Marren said just above a whisper.
A knock at the door caused all three of us to stand straight. Enid opened the door and stepped in. He walked to the center of the room with Marren meeting him halfway. The expression on Enid’s face was serious. Danst approached me cautiously, staring as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“What is the matter?” I asked.
“You’ve changed so completely that I hardly recognize you.”
“Happens when you become a werewolf.”
“No, I mean, besides that.”
“You should blame Marren and the enchantment on this place. I can’t explain any better than that. Marren literally swept me off my feet.”
“I guess love does change a person.” His words seemed distant. I opened my mouth to say something, but he stared into the fire, seeming lost in his thoughts, all traces of emotion gone from his face.
“Danst, I will take you to your room now,” Enid said.
He walked toward Enid, who stood at the door waiting for him. His green eyes fell on me. “Good night, Relena. It’s good to see you again.”
I rushed to him and wrapped my arms around him. “I’m glad to have you back as well, Danst.”
I released him, exchanging my embrace of him for the hand of Marren and followed him with my gaze as he walked out the door. As soon as we were left alone, I turned toward Marren, standing as close as I could. “What do you want to do now?”
“We should get some good sleep. It’s almost an entire day’s journey to the cross over, and I want to be there before sundown.”
“We’re leaving so soon?”
“I must return. We only stayed this long for you.” He led me by the hand to the bed.
I laid on my stomach on top of the covers. Marren sat next to me until the storm was nearly over and then left, claiming he had things to tend to. I fell asleep wondering why he refused to touch me. I pushed back the pain as much as I could to keep it from him, but the truth was, it hurt.
***
From the balcony, I took one last glance over the trees and the mountains in the distance. The sun rose beyond the thick layer of clouds that still loomed above, threatening more rain. The rain I didn’t mind, but storms bothered me. Rain nurtures and bathes the land, whereas storms are so strong and destructive they break trees and destroy homes.
I inhaled the smell of the flowers from below in the garden. I held the breath for a few moments then slowly let it out, turned, and left the room without another glance.
Outside, our group waited for the time to leave. Raden stood closest to the door, clear of soot, leaving his red puffy cheeks visible under his black beard. In the place of his tattered, soot covered clothes, he wore a short chain mail vest with a breastplate strapped to him and an axe resting on his shoulder. His bright green eyes that twinkled. “Well, there she is, looking fine and rested!”
I smiled. “Thank you much, Raden, the same to you as well!”
“Good morning, Relena,” Danst said, stepping up to me. He rubbed his hands together, interlocked his fingers and rested them on the back of his head.
“Hello, Danst. Did you sleep well last night?”
“I did. You?”
I shook my head.
“Come on now with the pleasantries,” Marren said, walking up and taking everyone’s attention. I couldn’t be sure if he was being playful or serious. His face was free of emotion.
Enid stepped up to my side and elbowed me. I smiled and elbowed him back with a little more force. He gave a grunt, bending over in exaggeration, then stood straight.
“This will be Relena’s first cross over. I want to make it back before the sunset. If she changes one last time in this phase, I want to do it in the shelter of the cave. Are we okay with that?” Marren asked.
Everyone nodded.