Falling for Forever (3 page)

Bryn allowed the faintest traces of a smile to cross her lips. "Thank you."

Mariah nodded and stood. "Would you like to come back inside?"

"May I stay out here instead?"

Mariah smiled at her. "Of course. I will be in the cabin if you need anything."

Bryn smiled back at Mariah. "Thank you."

Mariah nodded and walked out of the clearing. She watched Mariah go and then gazed up at the stars until dawn swept them from her view.

As the sun rose, so did Bryn. Dew lay in a glistening blanket over the grass and bright green leaves. She heard a river's gurgle and quickly walked to it. The trees were thick and the feeling of being watched quickly came back to her. She brushed it off and continued walking. A beautiful white stallion had his back to her as he sipped from the clear water. Bryn walked slowly so as not to startle him. He was the most beautiful horse she had ever seen. His coat glistened like moonlight and his long mane and tail were the color of fresh snow. Her brief encounters with Franklin's horses had left her timid and nervous around them. "Hello," she said to him as she moved closer.

He looked up at her and licked the remaining drops of water from his lips. "
Hello
." He paused. "
Now why did I just do that? It's not like anyone but the dragon can understand us horses anyway.
"

"I can," she said as she sat down next to him on the riverbank.

"
You can
?"

She nodded and smiled up into his brown eyes.

"
How
?"

"I can understand all creatures."

The stallion neighed happily. "
I'm Luca
."

She smiled at him. "I'm Bryn." She dipped a toe into the river and chuckled. "Would you mind if I went for a little swim?"

He laughed. "
Why would I
?"

She blushed and looked away modestly. "I wasn't going to have this dress on."

Luca almost fell over laughing. "
You two-leggeds are funny. Do I have clothes on
?" She shook her head no. "
So why would I mind if you do or not?
"

She stood up. Within minutes, the dress lay neatly in the grass, and she was up to her waist in the river. The cool water swirled around her body as she submerged herself up to her neck. She swam over to Luca and splashed him playfully with water. He shook off quickly and reared as he laughed.

"Oh yeah?"
He grinned.

She smiled back at him. "Yep."

He leapt into the river and drenched her in a wave of water. She swam between his legs, her wings held tightly against her back. She smiled at his velvety side as they danced together through the clear blue paradise. Bryn playfully grabbed one of his front legs and twisted her body under his.

Luca crashed sideways into the river in a rush of water and thrashing legs. She swam to the surface as Luca recovered and shook out his white coat. He smiled at her and used his big head to push her backwards into the water. She toppled in and then came up with her back to him.

Bryn ran her hands through her long hair and over her muscular stomach. The water barely came up to her mid-thigh, and she chuckled as it swirled around her. She looked up and instantly froze. Her blood ran cold, and her muscles shook with fear.

Mariah stared back at her, her eyes a reflection of her own shock. Bryn's body suddenly went limp, and she fell to her knees in the water. Her arms went to her chest, and she started shaking.

"Mariah!" she yelped. 

Mariah turned her back to her. "I did not mean to spy," Mariah called to her over her shoulder. "Rishi said you were by the river, and I did not expect you to be like you are now."

Bryn rose to her feet in the water and waved to Luca as he disappeared into the forest. "Is there something you wanted, Mariah?"

"The stores in town will be opening soon, and I wanted to make sure we were there early to avoid the crowds. So if you would please get dressed, we can get going."

Bryn nodded slowly and walked out of the water. Her body dried quickly in the rising sun. She slipped the dress over her head and walked to Mariah.

"Mariah?" she said as she placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Is it safe?"

She chuckled. "Yes, you may look now." Mariah opened her eyes and smiled at her. "May I ask a favor?" Mariah nodded, and Bryn turned around so that her back was to Mariah. "Lace me up?"

Mariah chuckled. "Sure. What did you do about the laces yesterday?" she asked as her fingers began expertly pulling at the cords.

"I didn't bother with them," Bryn said as her fingers moved over the bare skin of her back. She tickled Mariah's nose with the tip of her wing playfully. She laughed and pushed it aside as she finished. Mariah's hands lingered on her skin, but instead of the familiar knot, thousands of butterflies flew around in her stomach.

"Are you married?" Bryn asked as she pulled away and ran her hands over Mariah's work.

Mariah's voice became quieter, and Bryn realized she had touched a nerve. "No, I'm not."

Bryn's curiosity persisted despite her better judgment. "Do you have a daughter?"

"No."

"Then how are you so good at lacing up dresses since you don't seem to wear any?"

Mariah began walking to the gate. "We should hurry; the shops might already be opening."

"Is the town far?" Bryn asked as she struggled to keep up.

"Not far enough," Mariah said as they passed through the gate. It closed behind them, and Mariah started walking even faster.

"How long will it take us to get there?"

Mariah glared at her. "Don't you ever stop asking questions?"

Tears swelled in Bryn's eyes, and she looked away.

"I am sorry, ma'am. I have forgotten my place," she said as they started walking on an old beaten path. She slowed her place so that she was two steps behind her. Mariah tried slowing down to walk beside her, but as she did, Bryn increased the gap. Mariah sighed and continued walking toward town.

"Bryn?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Mariah, please."

Bryn nodded. "Yes, Mariah?"

"At the river…" Bryn's stomach tightened into a knot as Mariah spoke. "I noticed that you have a small mark on your stomach."

Bryn's body tensed angrily. "Don't mention my stomach ever again," she growled.

Mariah was visibly stunned. "What?"

"If you have your secrets, I feel no need to tell you mine," she said with venom. Her anger could have meant a beating, but it didn't matter. Mariah had crossed a line that even Franklin had learned to leave alone.

"You had two marks on your stomach. May I ask about either one?"

Bryn shook her head and moved away from Mariah.

"I am sorry that I tried to pry into your life, Bryn. I had no right."

"No, you didn't," Bryn said coldly.

"Will you ever forgive me?" Bryn shrugged. "What will it take for you to walk next to me?"

"Another apology. This time, I want you to apologize for using a harsh tone with me."

Mariah stopped walking, and they faced each other. "How about an apology and five silver coins?"

Bryn cocked her head to the side. "You want to pay me to walk next to you?"

Mariah shook her head. "I would like to give you five silver coins so that when we get to town, you may buy whatever you want, and if you need more, please come ask me."

Bryn nodded. "And my apology?"

"I am sorry for being harsh with you. My anger was in no way your fault, and I should not have done it. I am very sorry and hope for your forgiveness." Mariah handed her a small black bag with the coins in it.

"Thank you. I accept your apology and am sorry for being angry with you as well." They nodded and smiled at each other. "Shall we continue?"

Mariah looked down at Bryn's wrists as they walked. "Where are your bandages?"

She shrugged. "Probably by the river. They got itchy."

Mariah laughed. "The itching means they were healing. The sores look much better though." She looked down at her wrists too and nodded. The redness had faded into a soft pink, and they barely hurt anymore.

"That cream is very good."

Mariah nodded. "Some friends make that for me."

Bryn smiled at Mariah, but it quickly diminished as her ears picked up the sounds of town. Bryn gulped nervously as they continued walking toward the small group of buildings. Mariah looked down at her and spoke softly in her ear, "No one here will hurt you, Bryn. You have my word on that."

Bryn nodded, but Mariah's words did little to ease her fears.

Mariah led her into town, and almost immediately, the whispers started. The townspeople weren't mean; most had just never seen a Strytas before. Her wings were the instant topic, though as people stared at the stubs, Bryn became self-conscious and hugged them close to her body in a futile attempt to hide them. As they continued walking through the town, she gave up and ignored them all. Mariah led her to a small stone building with a bright cherry wood door.

"The woman inside is named Angie. She'll help you. Buy whatever you want. I'll come find you. I have some things to get."

Bryn nodded and watched her go. A few of the men near her began staring hungrily at her. Bryn rolled her eyes and quickly escaped into the shop. The attention was flattering but also deeply terrifying, especially without Mariah by her side. The shop wiped away her fears with bright dresses and the smell of chamomile.

It was only one room, but in that one room hung more dresses than Bryn had ever seen. A plump middle-aged woman sat behind the counter reading a book. Bryn walked up to her and cleared her throat softly. The woman didn't respond. "Angie?" Bryn tried again.

"Look around. If you find something you like, let me know," the woman replied impatiently without looking up.

"May I have some help?"

Angie raised her eyes and her mouth instantly fell open. "I… I… I…" she stuttered. The woman gulped nervously. "Are you a real Strytas?"

Bryn chuckled and nodded. "Would you like to touch them?"

Angie nodded and Bryn flexed a wing into Angie's open hand. She touched the feather in awe.

"Well, I'll be damned. A real live Strytas right here in my little shop. So what can I do for you dear?"

Angie quickly stood and went to the door. She locked it quickly.

"So no one will come in and interrupt us dear," she explained in response to the girl's puzzled expression.

Bryn nodded and smiled. "Thank you."

"So what are you looking for today?" Angie poured them both a cup of hot tea and led Bryn over to an oversized chair. Bryn curled up on the chair and brought her feet under her. The warm liquid was a welcome treat, and she gave in to the simple pleasure.

"My friend told me to buy some clothes," she said as she blew ripples over the steaming tea to cool it.

Angie began rifling through a row of dresses. "And who might your friend be, darlin'?"

"Mariah Sawyer," Bryn replied as she stirred the tea with the tip of her longest feather.

Angie laughed loudly. "Well, that's mighty sweet of Mariah. Oh deary, what should I call you? Or haven't you got a name?"

Bryn smiled. "I do. It's Bryn. Do you have anything like the dress I have on right now?"

Angie gave her a knowing smile. "Did Mariah give you that dress?"

Bryn blushed and looked away modestly.

"And now you want to impress her. Well, I can't say I blame you. That woman alone in that forest with only the creatures there to keep her company is just sad. Mariah needs a more feminine touch, she does. Most of the women in town have been trying to bag her for years, but she will have none of that."

"Really?"

"Yes. But perhaps Mariah was just waiting for the right sort of woman to come along," Angie added with a wink and a smile. "I'm afraid that you might have made a few enemies of the women here. Many will be absolutely astounded and outraged that Mariah finally chose to have some female company. Jealousy won't even begin to describe their reactions. But then again, who can compete with a Strytas as pretty as you?"

Bryn blushed and chuckled. Angie's words flattered her, and she allowed herself to fantasize about a life with Mariah. It was ridiculous, of course, but the dream made her heart flutter.

Angie held up a short white dress with small blue flowers on it. It wasn't as modest as the one Bryn had on, but it was still very nice. "Do you like this one, dear?"

Bryn nodded happily. "Will Mariah like it?"

"Anyone would love you in this, darling. Would you like more dresses like this?"

Bryn nodded happily, and soon her arms were filled with white dresses of all different types.

"Do you need any new undergarments?" Angie asked quietly.

Bryn raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Angie frowned. "You know, your under-things. You wear them under your dress." Bryn looked at her blankly. "Oh dear," Angie sighed and lifted up her skirt a bit so that Bryn could see her petticoats.

Bryn chuckled. "Oh, I don't wear anything like that."

"No undergarments?" Bryn shook her head and smiled at the woman. "You're joshing me," Angie said as her mouth hung open.

Bryn pulled her own skirt up to expose her thigh. "See? No undergarments. I've actually never worn them."

"Land sakes."

The two women laughed, and Bryn put her skirt back down.

"Do you need any shoes?" Angie asked.

"One white pair, please."

"Only one?"

Bryn paused in thought. She had never had shoes before, and she really wasn't sure how long one pair would last. "Two pairs, please. Both white."

Angie nodded, and soon Bryn had her first pair of shoes. The woman slipped one pair onto the girl's feet and Bryn laughed. They felt strange, but comfortable. In human clothes, in a human shop, she no longer felt so much like an outsider. She looked outside at the women walking by the store. She looked just like them except for one small thing.

"Is there something wrong, dear?" Angie asked as she followed Bryn's gaze.

Bryn shrugged and looked away. "The people whisper and stare at me. I feel like an animal on display," she softly said.