Bastial Sentinels (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 5) (51 page)

“But why?” She seemed ready to curse the world for being unfair.

“That’s just the way it is. Sometimes we know within a few moments of meeting someone that there’s a connection. Sometimes it takes longer. And sometimes one person develops feelings while the other doesn’t. Didn’t Jek and Lisanda despise each other at first?”

“They did.”

“If they can turn hatred into love, then there’s no way a man can be incapable of loving you because of your height. If I’ve learned anything from psychics, it’s that our preferences can change on a whim. They’re easily overpowered by love or hatred. You might like rich men until you meet a few who annoy you. You might like tall men until you fall in love with a short one.”

“You always make me feel better! It’s one of the reasons I wish you were staying.” She went up on her toes and kissed his cheek, then ran off.

The next day, Cleve rode with Reela and Vithos to where they needed to be for Jek’s plan. They were told to come out of The Nest through the southern wall, then turn east and ride into the forest, following the tallest mountain they could see until they reached it.

As they came to the mountain and the trees opened, Reela gasped. “I didn’t expect this from Jek.”

Neither had Cleve. Thirty people, who Jek must’ve hired, were just leaving. One was a child who was throwing one last royal blue ribbon over a tree limb, making the total somewhere around a hundred, if not two hundred. Below the cascading blue ribbons were red decorative ropes tied from tree to tree, almost creating the appearance of a suspended bridge connecting the trees to each other.

Tables adorned with formal black cloths were set in rows facing a wooden stage so large that Cleve wondered how it had been brought here. Two men and women stood upon it, testing their instruments. The sound they made was like an introduction, quick plucks of strings, puffs of air through brass, and sporadic beats of a drum.

A carriage arrived, and out jumped six women. They scattered, bringing trays of food to each table as one stayed near the horses and screamed orders.

There were four other people standing about and chatting idly like Cleve, Reela, and Vithos. Cleve recognized none of them. A man of stunted growth stood beside someone twice his height. And a strong-looking woman stood beside a man who appeared to her father.

Cleve heard more horses behind him. He turned to find that these people he did recognize.

“Who’s that with Calvon?” Reela asked.

“Oster, the man I told you about who was with the skunks.”

“Oh. I’m glad to see them together.”

Cleve was as well.

“It’s good to see you all again,” Calvon said as he dismounted. “Reela and Vithos, this is Oster.”

They shook the man’s hand. Cleve smiled when it was his turn. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Thank you for helping me escape that losing battle,” Oster said. “Calvon told me what happened after.”

“Anyone in my position would’ve done the same. Thank you for the food you gave us the night before.”

“It was hardly anything.”

“It helped,” Calvon said. He turned to Cleve. “I met Oster again when we fought the desmarls to the north. They made me an officer.”

“Congratulations,” Cleve said. “Do you know if there’s a possibility Zav will go to war with the other territories?”

Calvon’s eyes shifted to Oster. “Only if they have plans to attack us.”

Oster laughed. “That’s exactly our mentality as well.”

“What about Peter?” Cleve asked.

“I don’t know where he’s been,” Calvon said. “When we got back from killing the desmarls, he disappeared.”

“He’s been here,” Reela said with a sly grin. “Staying with Klaiya.”

Two horses came charging through the trees at a gallop. Klaiya was on one, while Peter was on the other. They appeared to be racing, with Klaiya’s horse just a few steps ahead when they both slid to a stop.

“I win.” Klaiya swung her legs over and jumped from her mount.

“You shouldn’t be so proud, cheater. We said no psyche.” Peter tied his horse to a tree.

“I didn’t!” Her hands came to her hips.

“You did. Halfway through the race, I suddenly felt confused and nearly fell off my horse…just when I was passing you.”

“I thought you meant no psyche on the horses.”

“Right.” He rolled his eyes. “And I still almost beat you.”

As they joined Cleve and the others, Vala, Jessend, Raymess, and Micah rode into camp.

“They’ll be here soon!” Jessend yelled. “Bring the horses behind the mountain. We have to hide.”

Everyone rushed to hide their horses and themselves behind the turn of the mountain. Cleve’s horse, Nulya, was nervous from the excitement, thrashing her head, until Vithos put his hand on her.

Speaking in whispers, Jessend and Vala introduced people who hadn’t met before. Cleve learned the strong woman and her father were Jek’s sister and father, Kalli and Sannil. The massive man, Giant, was the brother of the one half his size, Goreng. It was Micah’s task to bring them and ensure they came with no tea or crackers. Cleve hadn’t understood until Jessend reminded him of Lisanda’s story of Jek taking her from the palace, meeting Goreng and Giant just outside the secret passage where Jek was given hallucinogenic crackers that Lisanda ended up eating later.

Raymess had been tasked with explaining the plan to Vala and Jessend without Lisanda finding out. The rest was organized by Jek, though Cleve still didn’t know exactly what that entailed.

Mixed with whispers, stifled laughs went back and forth among the group. It may have been somewhat small, but the level of cheer ready to burst forth was equal to a whole shotmarl stadium’s audience.

Jessend shushed everyone. “I think I hear them.”

Cleve strained his ears. He heard Lisanda.

“My Bastial stars. What’s all this?”

“I was thinking this was where we could be married,” Jek said.

Silence followed.

Jessend grumbled. “Wish I could see their faces.”

“I’m confused,” Lisanda said.

“You don’t like it?”

“I love it, but why all the ribbons and tables? Is there food on those covered trays?”

“No, no,” Jek lied. “I just wanted to show you what it would look like.”

“Look at the size of that stage! How did you even get it here?”

Cleve thought he heard Jek laugh.

“This is too much trouble you’ve gone through!” Lisanda said. “You didn’t need to do all this just for me to see it.”

“I did because we’re getting married today.”

“We…what?”

“That’s it!” Jessend whispered furiously. “Now!”

They all followed her and Vala out from behind the turn of the mountain. Lisanda gasped at the sight of them. Jek put his arm around her as her hands came up to cover her mouth.

The musicians took to the stage and quickly broke into song. Jek bent down on his knee. Cleve smiled as he saw that Lisanda already was crying.

Jek took her hand and waited for her to look at him. Her other hand was covering her face as she wept. She took two deep breaths and let down her hand, revealing an expression of utter joy as she struggled to keep more tears from spilling.

“I’ve fought monsters, those that are real and those that are deep within myself,” Jek said, gazing into her eyes. “And I’ve suffered more than anyone my age should. But I’m still the most fortunate man in this world, because of you. Wherever I go, whatever I face, I’ll always come back to you. And there’s no better feeling. Will you marry me…right here, right now?”

“Jek…” His name caught in her throat. She cleared it and smiled down at him, as he still was on one knee. “My whole life I’ve been waiting and searching.” Her voice got stronger. “But it took until this moment for me to realize what it was I’ve been waiting and searching for. I think back to all the hours I’ve spent meeting men of nobility, all the words I’ve wasted, all the arguments with my father, may he rest peacefully. I’ve traveled all over Greenedge. I’ve struggled to understand the point of my life. Without men, I was nothing—just a princess waiting and waiting, but for what? To be married? Then what? To have children? But as I look into your eyes, I realize that all this time—” she covered her mouth to stifle a weep. “I was just waiting for you.” Tears ran down her cheeks. “Nothing else. Just you. Of course I’ll marry you.”

Jek jumped to his feet. He slid a ring around her finger. As everyone cheered, they pressed their lips together. They parted briefly to embrace each other as Lisanda let out a weep, then they began kissing once more.

Raymess came over and put his arms around both of them. He announced loudly, “As King of Goldram, I pronounce these two now wed!”

Jessend grabbed her sister in a tight embrace. Vala was crying as she watched her daughters. Her weeps became louder when Jessend parted so Vala could hug Lisanda. Cleve and everyone else exchanged handshakes, embraces, and congratulations. Jek bowed his head to Raymess and Vala, both of whom stopped him and demanded a hug instead.

“That was so beautiful what you said,” Kalli told Lisanda as they embraced.

Jek leaned over to kiss Lisanda’s cheek. “It was. Did you have some idea this was going to happen, so you had the speech planned?”

She giggled. “No, you completely surprised me. The speech just came out.”

“It took me hours to write mine. You made me look bad!” He laughed and kissed her once more. Then he seemed to notice that everyone was just standing around as if waiting for a signal for the party to begin. “Please, eat and dance!” He ran to each table and removed the lid of every tray. After circling back to them, he offered his hand to Lisanda. They sauntered toward the stage, where they began to dance to the music that Cleve didn’t notice had continued to play.

Reela grabbed Cleve by the forearm. “Come on.”

He held his ground, causing her to jerk to a stop. The only time he’d ever danced was with Terren, when his uncle suggested he should learn how to dance and attempted to grab Cleve and teach him right there in their kitchen. It didn’t go well.

Then he remembered he’d danced for the mookers the last time he was in Greenedge. That didn’t go well either, nearly getting him killed.

“Dance with Vithos,” Cleve suggested.

“I will later. Right now I want to dance with you.”

“I don’t know how.”

“There’s nothing to learn. Just do whatever you want.”

“What I want is to stay here. I’ll watch you. Go ahead.”

She scowled. Folding her arms, she stared at him and said nothing.

“Fine,” he said, relenting.

The music was lively. Reela put Cleve’s hands on her hips. She rested her hands on his shoulders and began to sway. “Move,” she told him. He immediately stepped on her foot. “No, like this.” She shifted her feet side to side, subtly bouncing as she went. He followed her lead. “That’s good,” she said.

Klaiya and Peter began dancing beside them. They each moved in their own rhythm, their arms flailing, their long hair whipping around. Over Reela’s shoulder, Cleve watched Giant approach Vala. The massive man got down on one knee. Cleve couldn’t tell if he was asking her to dance or proposing marriage. The sight made him smile. Reela grinned. “What is it?”

Cleve turned them so she could see. Giant grunted something unintelligible, holding out his enormous hand for Vala. Even down on one knee, he was still taller than she was. Vala looked around, as if silently asking for help. Goreng came to Giant’s side.

“Yes, yes—he wants you to dance with him. It would be such an honor, my queen.”

“He won’t…hurt me, will he?”

Giant grunted loudly, shaking his head.

“Never, my queen. He’s as gentle as a soft breeze. You will be impressed.”

Giant grunted twice, now nodding.

“Very well. I will dance with you for one song.” She offered her hand.

With controlled enthusiasm, he took it and escorted her in front of the stage.

Giant placed one hand on her back. The other was wrapped completely around her hand. Stretching out their arms, Giant led Vala in a graceful glide two steps forward, then two steps back. He gave her a spin, catching her perfectly. She let out a surprised laugh.

Suddenly he was leading her around every other couple, gaining speed yet still somehow maintaining grace. Vala was clearly a skilled dancer, but Giant made her look like an amateur. She struggled to keep up as his movements flowed and he hummed along to the music.

More came to dance: Sannil and Kalli, Jessend and Raymess, Micah and Goreng.

By the next song, Vala appeared to be used to Giant’s technique as they flew around the other pairs. Giant spun and dipped her, the braids of her black hair coming undone as she laughed.

Soon, everyone had stopped to watch them. They leapt together, stopping abruptly so that their arms straightened out as the two of them nearly came apart. Then Giant pulled her in. She spun twice. He let go of her arm, using her momentum to grab her hips and lift her, now both of them spinning as she soared.