Chapter Twenty-One
.
Time is a slippery slope. It moves you forward regardless of your personal preferences. There's no slowing it down, no stopping it. All you can do is appreciate the little things you see along the way.
This is the doctrine I live by in the weeks following Alistair's message.
I try not to stress too much over the warning he gave me. Ora may be a sadistic freak, but he would not dare mess with me when there's an entire tribe willing to come to my defense. And even if he did decide to do something terrible to me, he wouldn't be successful. I will be long gone from here very soon. So, as long as I am careful, there's no need to worry about ol' Snake-Eyes.
Village life serves as a decent distraction. The warm months are a time of plenty... and physical labor. Every person works in some form or fashion. If you don't have any vital chores in the village to attend to, you are expected to search for food. Traps are checked in the morning and late afternoon. If an animal is caught, they are skinned and butchered on the spot. Fish, freshwater snails, and mussels are sifted from the stream. Berries and edible plants are abundant. Everything that's ripe and won't kill you is collected. Some of it is laid out in the sun to dry. Once all the moisture has evaporated, the food will be stored away for the winter months.
It sounds hard - and it is - but foraging has its benefits too. The forest and stream are gorgeous this time of year. The scenery changes every day. There's always a nestful of hatchlings high in a tree or a clump of newly opened flowers to put a smile on your face. And at the end of the day, the improved dinner menu makes all that work well worth the effort.
Another advantage of spring is the weather. While the temperature is by no means tropical, it is pleasant enough that you don't have to wear heavy furs all the time. Some of the women go a step further and leave their tunics at home. Although their tendency of going topless made me uncomfortable when I first arrived here, it doesn't bother me as much now. I've seen so many boobs these past few months I've become immune to the sight. No one around here cares if you walk around topless or not. So, as long as no one expects me to show off the goodies under my tunic, who am I to say the other ladies should keep themselves covered up?
The lake is glorious this time of year. On days when we can sneak away, you can find Ewar and me enjoying the lake's amenities. He is determined to learn everything about swimming while he still can. Neither of us has discussed it yet, but I know he plans on teaching the others how to swim at some point after I am gone.
Question: Why don't we invite some of the villagers to watch our lessons so they can get used to the idea of swimming first?
Answer: Because I am selfish.
I treasure our time alone, away from everyone and everything. No one can distract us, or say we should be focusing on chores instead of goofing off. When it's just the two of us, the responsibilities weighing him down lighten somewhat. He allows himself to let loose and splash around like a free-spirited child. I love seeing that side of him exposed, if only for an hour or two.
Of course, it's not all fun and games. Ewar works hard during his lessons. He acclimated himself to the water so well that it no longer frightens him. In the span of a handful of weeks, he advanced considerably. He swims like he's done it for months. His endurance is crazy good too. We could be swimming side-by-side and I will run out of energy long before him. With more practice, he'll probably master the sport beyond even my mediocre skills.
It pains me to know I won't be here to see it.
Even with all the time spent in each other's company, Ewar never suspects the truth. He isn't aware of how often I look at him, or how my heart beats faster whenever he gets close. My feelings are well hidden behind a friendly smile. It is brutally difficult, but I must remember what is important. Namely, I have to make it known to everyone that Ewar is cured of his alleged infertility. He agreed to watch out for me until I could return home, and he did so with flying colors. Therefore, it is time to fulfill my end of the deal. Up until now, we successfully made the villagers think these ceremonies are conducted indoors, away from prying eyes.
We can't do that anymore. They need to see to believe he has been healed.
We must put on a show so convincing, none of the superstitious gossips in the village will suspect the "ceremony" is merely a bunch of baloney. What I have planned will be cringey if viewed from a twenty-first century perspective - but I don't give a damn. Ewar deserves happiness, with a wife who can give him the family he desires. If a little humiliation on my part is the cost to make that happen for him, then so be it.
But I won't lie.
I hate her.
It doesn't matter that I don't know who his future wife will be. This faceless woman lives in my head, taunting me daily. She is as beautiful as Oza, compassionate like Ehmay, and has Alie's enthusiasm for life. She won't need to be watched over constantly or taught basic skills like you would a child. She can forage without assistance, preserve food for the harsh winter, and raise a family all at the same time. Everyone will adore her. And I bet she won't be afraid of Ewar on their Binding Day. She will go to his bed willingly, loving him with both her mind and body.
Married to such a woman, how long will it take before he forgets all about me?
It doesn't do any good torturing myself with questions of this nature. I have to concentrate on the here and now... for him. His best interests are at stake.
On a clear morning, he and I huddle together in the village center. We are dressed in differing styles. He's bare-chested, wearing only leather leggings and his beloved Damara amulet around his neck. I am in my nicest tunic, but on my head is a makeshift turban. It's made from the rolled-up blouse I brought from the future. I look a bit like a stereotypical palm reader - which is exactly what I was going for.
"All right, Ewar," I say in a hushed voice. "Just about everyone is here. The time has come to perform our last ritual. Do you remember what to do?"
"Yes."
"Good. Follow my directions and pretend it makes sense." I force a smile at what I am about to say (when, in actuality, I want to gag). "I'm sure this will get you a nice new wife very soon."
He gives one quick nod in response.
Humming a mindless tune, I prepare the scene. I take my time drawing a large circle in the dirt using a pointed toe. People are already stopping to stare in our direction. Now that the circle is complete, I summon Ewar with a curled finger. He takes position outside of the circle, just as we practiced. I move to the opposite side. I throw a handful of flower petals into the air. They rain back down, landing on the ground and in his hair. Then, with great solemnity, we begin the (supposedly) sacred fertility ritual.
"You put your right foot in. You put your right foot out. You put your right foot in and you shake it all about. You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around..."
I recite the lyrics like it's a eulogy. Ewar follows my directions to a tee, sticking his bare foot in and out of the circle. It's so bizarre, the crowd of spectators creeps closer and closer for a better look. Even Essa, who rarely socializes since Ichel's untimely death, stands in her hut's doorway to watch.
It's exactly as I had hoped! They can't look away from the show we are putting on. I have to mentally restrain myself from fist-pumping the air.
Keeping my cool, I continue reciting the lyrics. Ewar finishes with his right foot and goes on to stick his left in the circle. Just as I open my mouth to tell him to stick in his right hand, someone hops out of the crowd and joins him.
I pause the ceremony to greet the unexpected guest. "Assu, Alie. Uh. Do you want to do the hokey pokey too?"
She bounces on her toes. "Hokey pokey!"
I glance at Ewar for advice on how to handle this. He looks as confused as me. Alie's eyes are gleaming. Her body shakes with excitement. She must really want to participate. I suppose there's no harm in it. The more the merrier, as the saying goes.
I pick up the song where I left off. Alie keeps one eye on Ewar as she attempts to copy his dance steps. To her credit, she follows along well. She and Ewar are putting their right hands in and out and turning around like hokey pokey pros. By the time they put their whole selves into the circle, it appears they know exactly what it's all about.
The stupid song/super-important dance ritual comes to an end. It wouldn't look right if I sent Alie away without saying anything special. But the nice, long speech Ewar helped me learn prior to this moment wouldn't apply in her case. So, I adjust it slightly.
I kiss both of her cheeks before smiling at her. "Damara kardiyas assul-da, Alie. Kattitti sunna āssiyatar-a hāssas." Damara wishes you joy, Alie. May your home be filled with love and children.
She grins from ear to ear.
Ewar is next to be blessed. In preparation for the kiss, I get closer than usual to him. He smells like wood smoke. I try not to linger too long when I place a chaste kiss on each of his cheeks. Unable to help myself, my tongue wets my lips after the deed is done.
He tastes like salted caramel.
I slam my eyelids shut to fight off a shiver. It takes several seconds to regain control of myself.
The pretty speech Ewar helped me learn is said loud enough to where everyone nearby can hear.
"Damara heard your plea, Ewar. I was sent by her command to assist in making you fertile again. My work is done. The power of the Goddess has healed you. You will bear fruit from this day forward."
Using the slight of hand trick my great uncle taught me long ago, I touch the side of Ewar's head. And just like we rehearsed, I make it seem as though a blackberry appeared from behind his ear. He is bearing "fruit" already.
The crowd gawks at my display of magic.
I smile a little. "Damara wishes you joy, Ewar. May your home be filled with love-" I swallow the lump in my throat. "...and children."
As a final touch, I place the blackberry against his mouth. It slips easily between his lips. He takes his time eating this primitive version of holy communion.
The ceremony is complete. As soon as I back away, people surge around Ewar to congratulate him. A dozen smiles and hearty pats on his back are exchanged. His family pushes through the crowd to express their delight too. Ehmay hugs him tight, tears of happiness shining in her eyes.
No one notices that I am not among the people celebrating.
I am not ignorant. What I just did changed everything. As soon as I am no longer considered his wife, he will be the most eligible bachelor around. Women from neighboring tribes will probably be fighting over him. There will be someone ready to take my place this upcoming Binding Day.
It is a miracle that I can hold it together long enough to make it inside the privacy of the hut. I close the door flap. Darkness surrounds me like an old friend. After flinging the dumb homemade turban across the room, I flop into bed and allow my melancholy to come out of hiding.
It's been a while since I last felt sorry for myself.
00000000000000000000
In the following days, I battle depression while keeping a smile on my face. Hard labor is one outlet for the blues. The half dozen children who follow me around begging to play are also very distracting.
I sleep like the dead one particular night. Before I know it, the sounds of a new day seep into the hut. I let out a groan and pull the blanket over my head. It's still so early, and I am exhausted. A few more minutes of sleep won't hurt anybody...
Someone shakes my shoulder until my eyelids crack open. Ewar is hovering over the bed, one arm tucked behind his back. Judging by the amount of light filtering through the doorway, I'm guessing it's much later in the morning. I should have been up and doing chores long before now.
I sit up sheepishly. "Hey. Sorry about sleeping so late..."
He doesn't utter a word regarding my apology. Instead, he reveals what he has been hiding behind his back.
It is a fistful of flowers.
With a gentle shake of his hand, he encourages me to take them. I lift the bouquet to my nose to give it a sniff. The sweet aroma and cheery coloring of the flowers brightens my day considerably.
I glance up at my gift giver. My insides promptly turn to mush. No one has given me flowers since junior prom... and even then it came with strings attached. Evidently, my date at the time hoped I would repay his romantic gesture with a quick romp in the backseat of his beat-up Toyota.
He was greatly mistaken.
Pushing unpleasant memories aside, I smile at Ewar. "Thank you. These flowers are beautiful."
He lets out a rough sigh. Hesitantly, he goes to sit on the edge of the bed before pointing out the obvious.
"Damara's flower, Bella."
Startled by his announcement, I pay closer attention to the bouquet. So this is the wild rose in full bloom. It doesn't look much like the roses you would see in a florist's shop. There are only five light pink petals as opposed to the tightly compacted layers usually associated with the species. Despite the difference, the wild rose has a simple beauty nearly everyone could admire.
But not me. Not anymore. This bouquet is a ticking time bomb. The newly opened rose signifies an important date of the tribe's year.
I look at Ewar again. "How long before Damara's festival starts?"
"Arl say tomorrow night."
"Oh."
My heart sinks at the news. I don't know what to say. Everything is happening so fast. Tomorrow is the festival. The day after that, Ewar will take me back to Alistair. At the journey's end, he and I will say our goodbyes and part ways. And while I am walking to the distant Lake District, he will return home to begin his search for a new wife.
I think I'm going to be sick. Curling up into a tight little ball and dying is starting to sound pretty good right about now...
"Bella?"
I clear my throat and pretend my depression hasn't hit an all-time low. "Yeah. I'm listening."
"We go to lake? Swim?"
He sounds so hopeful, I can't say no.
One last dip in the lake together. One last swimming lesson. One last day I can pretend he won't soon belong to someone else.
The village is bouncing with activity when we step outside. Damara's festival is a big celebration, and there is only today and some of tomorrow to prepare. Ehmay tries bustling me away to help, but Ewar intercepts. He claims that he and I need to collect branches for the new travois he will be constructing for our trip. Ehmay accepts this explanation and allows us to leave. However, her slightly raised eyebrow suggests she did not entirely believe his excuse.
And she would be correct.
Everything he needs is already inside his hut, carefully hidden underneath a pile of tanned hides and furs.
Our walk is a peaceful one. The air is warm and fragrant. I try to memorize the sights along the way. The lake itself is as enticing as always. He and I ready ourselves for the plunge. My tunic is my swimsuit. The only item keeping Ewar from being in his birthday suit is the strategically placed loincloth covering his nether regions.
Mud squishes between my toes as I wade through the lake. The water gets cooler the deeper you go. Yes, the temperature is slightly uncomfortable - but who wants to stay in the shallows just because it's warmer and safe? Nothing exciting about that. The lake's watery depths offers so much more. You never know what you might see down there.
Once I am away from shore a good distance, I take in a breath and dive underwater. Startled fish scramble out of my way. Others pay me no mind and continue feeding on the algae growing on the rocks down below.
Movement grabs my attention. In a few strokes, Ewar has caught up to where I am. Small crystal bubbles occasionally exit his nose. He circles around me like a dolphin several times before we both go up for air. We do this exercise repeatedly. I swim somewhere under the lake's surface; he follows as quickly as possible. He always reaches me faster than I anticipate. I realize belatedly that what we are doing is more like a game than a swimming lesson. He holds his breath almost as long as I can. He no longer needs me to teach him.
Regardless, I am glad we came here today. For a short while, I forgot all about the steady ticking of the clock.
We are pulled into helping with the festival when we return to the village. I don't see him for many hours. That night, he and I gather around the hearth to eat a simple meal. Afterwards, he begins sculpting a small amulet. He has only made a vague shape when he stops suddenly. Running his fingers through his hair, he sets all his tools to the side in order to speak. His expression is uneasy.
"Bella, Wolf People come tomorrow."
My eyes widen. The last time I saw the Wolf People, the son of their leader tried making a move on me.
"Will Akob be at the festival?"
A scowl crosses his face. "Yes. Wolf People very good friends. Always come to Damara's festival." He looks at me pointedly. "Akob want wife."
Ewar is giving me a clear warning. I need to keep a close eye on Akob tomorrow. I will take that advice to heart. If Akob tries anything (like humping my leg), I'll beat him to death with that dick statue he likes to carry around. That would be a fitting end to him.
My last full day in the village is perfect weather-wise. Not a cloud blemishes the sky. An enormous feast is underway. Everyone pitches in to help in some way, including me. I assist Ehmay with pulling meat from bones, gutting fish, and mashing various tubers. Around mid-afternoon, most of the work is done. Ewar, however, begins putting together the transport sledge. Wood and rope are the only materials he needs. I offer my help, which he readily accepts. Since rain doesn't appear to be in the forecast, he suggests we go ahead and load up our supplies for the trip. While I am organizing what we need to bring, I stumble across something that makes my chest ache. It's the outfit I wore when I accidentally married him, the one that originally belonged to his mother.
Part of me wants to keep it. My better half knows that I cannot.
The baskets with my personal belongings, such as my phone and futuristic clothing, are placed onto the sledge. The marriage clothes stay inside the hut, awaiting his true mate.
Food and other supplies are loaded. Soon, there is nothing left to do. He and I pause to look at one another. I want to thank him for going through all of this trouble. I should probably smile too. But for the life of me, I can't act happy. Not this time. All I am capable of is staring at him like a fool.
He opens his mouth to speak. Before he can utter a sound, his cousin/adopted sister interrupts.
"Bella, mehur uēzzi!" Bella, the time has come!
Alie pulls me away, completely ignoring Ewar's groan of protest.
She and I end up in the hut she shares with her husband, although Jas isn't here at the moment. Alie zooms around like a bird collecting seemingly random objects. After a bit of head scratching on my part, I figure out what's going on.
We have to get ready for the celebration tonight. I suppose dressing up for the occasion is a must.
Alie and I scrub ourselves clean using tepid water. Afterwards, I am given two outfits to decide between. The first is the primitive version of a strapless dress made from pliable leather. The second outfit consists of a fur skirt and a skimpy string of beads to act in place of a top.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out what I went with.
I have to strip out of my clothes so she can help me get the strapless dress on. It wraps around my body like a towel and stops above my knees. To keep it from slipping off, she ties a belt around my middle. Still, I mutter a silent prayer that the night won't end with me naked in front of the entire village. What a lasting impression that would make on the community.
Alie goes with an outfit similar to mine but slightly shorter. Now that we are both dressed, styling our hair is next on her agenda. Mine is partially braided to expose my neck. Hers is wound into a loose bun in the back. As a final touch, she weaves several wild rose blossoms in our hair. I suppose it is in honor of Damara.
The sun is low in the sky when she and I step outside. Ehmay calls for her to help with carrying out the food. Alie promises me that she will be right back. As I am standing there looking around, I notice the Wolf People have already arrived. Ilium, their leader, is overjoyed at seeing me again. I express equal delight. He was so kind to Ewar and me back when we were wandering around lost in the dead of winter. Now that I have picked up a few words and phrases, I can finally thank him for his hospitality.
The rest of his tribe lines up to greet me as well. It's a small number since it is composed of less than fifteen people. Akob rises from where he had been sitting and waits at the end of the line. He is much larger than I remembered. My anxiety climbs the closer he creeps.
What is his plan? What is he thinking? Why didn't I keep a can of pepper spray close by like Dad always told me?
To my left, a group of people moves out of my field of vision, revealing that I am not alone in my worries. Someone is watching over me. Ewar has positioned himself a short distance away, ready to step in if necessary.
His presence is a great relief. I relax enough to where I think I can greet Akob without seeming intimidated. However, in the end, I don't need Ewar or anyone else to come to my rescue. Because when Akob does stroll up to me, all he says is a quick hello and then walks off. He barely spares me a glance.
Ok. I'm not complaining or anything, but... Where the hell did the horn dog go?
I look at Ewar again. Based on his facial expression, he is as mystified as I am. Then, we are given a clue. Akob has rushed back to the spot where he had originally been sitting. The person next to him is Len, Essa's sister. She is very pretty this evening. Her ivory bead necklace makes her look almost regal. And I can tell by her coy smile that Akob is effectively working his charms on her.
Ewar and I exchange another look. His smile says he is pleased that Akob won't be a problem this evening. I would feel the same if it wasn't for one small thing. Akob is cozying up to a minor. It will be next spring before Len is considered an adult.
For her sake, I hope Akob keeps his phallus collection tucked away this evening.
The feast is set up. Baskets and bowls are filled to the brim with food. Elder members of both tribes are served first as a sign of respect. The rest of us are free to serve ourselves. I pick things at random and add them to my eating bowl. One chunk of roasted meat looks especially delicious. I get an urge to try a little piece just to see what it tastes like.
Before I can pop it into my mouth, someone grabs my wrist and holds it in place.
Ewar plucks the meat from my hand. He turns it over, examining the morsel like it's a priceless artifact.
"Why are you stealing my food? I was about to eat that," I say in annoyance.
Quirking an eyebrow, he holds up the meat. "You eat horse?"
It takes my poor brain several seconds to catch up.
"Oh. Is that...?" My body shivers. "Ugh. No, I don't eat horse. I don't plan on ever eating it, either." Once the revulsion wears off, I summon a small smile. "Thank you for stopping me... and remembering I wouldn't want to eat it."
He acknowledges my gratitude with a brief nod. His eyes fall to my feet. They take a slow journey upward before landing once again on my face.
"You look... very beautiful."
I shouldn't be affected by such a simple statement. Yet that doesn't stop all the air from escaping my lungs.
Somehow, I manage to recall how to breathe again. However, thinking and speaking at the same time is another matter entirely. He waits (and waits) for my reply. So, what do I do? I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.
"You look beautiful too. No! I mean... good. You look good. Um. Better than good, actually. Those streaks of white paint look great on your chest. Uh. Not that I'm staring at your chest or anything. It's just that I couldn't help but notice the muscle definition. We call it 'ripped' where I come from. It sounds bad but it's a compliment. Of course, it's not just your chest that looks nice. The rest of you... does... too."
I snap my mouth shut to stop the flow of verbal diarrhea.
Something like a smile crosses his face. He steps closer and sinks his fingers into my hair. My tongue goes bone dry. He extracts one of the flowers from above my ear. After inhaling the scent, he spins it between his thumb and forefinger.
His gaze never leaves my face.
I swallow to break the spell he put on me. A weird laugh comes out. "Hehehe. Uh. The flowers are beautiful, aren't they? Alie insisted on putting them in our hair. But I wonder why this is Damara's flower? The dandelion is just as beautiful as the wild rose."
His mouth twitches. "It look like woman."
"What? I don't understand."
He places the rose in the center of his palm. One finger caresses the delicate petals. "Damara's flower..." His voice drops. "...is color of woman."
The wheels in my mind spin. Everything finally clicks into place.
"Oh... I get it! The wild rose is pink, just like some female reproductive parts. So, of course, people would associate the flower that looks closest to a vulva with the Goddess of Fertility!"
As soon as that one semi-sexual word crosses my lips, I know I fucked up. My face is probably pinker than the roses in my hair.
This is ridiculous. I am a grown woman. I shouldn't be blushing at my age!
Ewar's grin only makes matters worse. It does bad, bad things to me. My IQ nose dives into negative digits. I couldn't form an intelligible word even if my life depended on it. He is gracious enough not to comment on my current predicament, though. All he does is replace the horse meat in my bowl with what he assures me is rabbit. Then, he allows Alie to swoop in from the sidelines and take me elsewhere.
Like a zombie, I hold on to Alie's arm for dear life. I just made a huge ass of myself in front of Ewar. All he had to do was say a few words, give a little smile, and my legs (and brain) turned into jelly. If Alie wasn't here to support me, I would have already fallen dead from shame.
She and I find a place to sit down. She's chattering away about dancing for some reason. I don't know why. I'm still so out of it - even if I had a full grasp of her language - I doubt I would understand a word she's saying. I'm also finding it very difficult to eat. My stomach is flopping around like a fish on a hook. The only cure I can think of is to force Ewar out of my head. Perhaps then I can get my act together.
Try as I might, I cannot help myself.
I glance around, curious about where he is and what he is doing. Eventually, I spot him talking to Bannor on the other side of the village. It appears they are in a deep discussion.
Without warning, he makes eye contact with me.
I immediately snap my face toward the sky and pretend I wasn't looking. It's the strategy of a shy twelve-year-old whose school crush caught her staring from across the cafeteria.
This is what I have been reduced to. Acting like a literal child!
Having learned my lesson, I keep my traitorous eyes on my dinner. This only helps a little. I have to tighten my hands into fists to keep them from visibly shaking.
What is it about this evening that's causing me to spin out of control?
Through perseverance, I manage to get some food into my belly. My rattled nerves settle somewhat. I look up from my bowl and frown. Jas joined Alie and me at some point and I am just now noticing. He along with the rest of the men of the Bat People are similarly attired. Leather trousers are their only clothing. Their chests are painted. Some of the men wear elaborate necklaces made from teeth, feathers, or claws. Others wear no jewelry at all.
"Assu, Bella." Hello, Bella.
I find Bannor smiling down at me. He is such a sweet old man. I can't help but smile back. Before I can echo his greeting, he adds more. He speaks slowly and distinctly, as if he is reciting a speech.
"Esmi pāi-da kuitki. Apās ishiul." I have to give you something. That is my instruction.
My brow knits together at his cryptic message. His amusement goes through the roof. With a laugh, he sets a flask made from an animal's bladder on my lap and promptly disappears.
The top of the container is secured by a cord. I would need to untie it to see what is inside. Every flask I have encountered here was used to store water. But why would someone tell Bannor to give me water? Do I look dehydrated...
"Su-prise."
A voice murmurs into my ear. I jump about a foot into the air.
Ewar moves around to my front, biting back a smile at my reaction. He crouches down to my level and taps the flask. "You like?"
"You told Bannor to give this to me?"
"Yes. You like?"
"I don't know yet. What is it?"
He finishes untying the opening but doesn't quite answer my question. "Very good." He lifts the flask to my lips. "Drink."
Like any good little zombie, I open my mouth upon his command. He pours in a few drops. Cool, burning liquid greets my tongue. It's such a shock to the system, I almost spit it out. But I am glad I did not. Because this is not water. No, this is alcohol.
I lick the remnants from my lips, savoring the flavor. Sour mixes with sweet. It's a little yeasty, but I'm not complaining.
My eyes dart back to his face. "How?"
Ewar points out the old man who is currently moving from person to person, pouring drinks from a different flask. "Bannor collect fruit to make wiyana. Take many days." He pats the flask on my lap again. "Bannor make this wiyana with honey."
A smile splits my face in two. "So that's why you were so secretive after we gave him the honey!"
Ewar lets out a chuckle. "Su-prise. You like?"
"Yes. I like it very much. We have wiyana where I come from too. I've missed it. Do your people usually save this for only special days?"
He nods. "Damara's festival. Much drinking."
"Yeah, that makes sense. Well... thank you." I hold it out for him. "Would you like some?"
One of his eyes squints as he thinks over the offer. Ultimately, he accepts. But instead of taking the flask, he tilts his head back and waits for me to pour some in.
Hesitantly, I place the flask above his mouth. Golden liquid drips inside. I watch in fascination as his Adam's apple moves up and down.
Signaling for me to stop, he wipes the back of his hand across his lips and smiles. Who knew that giving him a drink would make him so damn happy. It's oddly sensual helping someone to drink.
Maybe I should ask if he needs me to help feed him too...
Drums and bone flutes suddenly drown out all casual conversation. Jas, Ewar, and several other married men stop what they had been doing to gather in the center of the village. They lend their voice to a song honoring Damara. Not only is she responsible for bringing children into the world, she also is the reason why the land is so fertile during the warm season. Each man demonstrates his strength and dexterity by way of a dance. They shuffle along armed with weapons, crouching and stabbing invisible enemies and prey alike. Ewar's skill is the most impressive.
Ok, I may be a little biased. I never looked at anyone else.
The music changes tempo. Alie squeals in delight. As soon as the men clear out from where they had been, she pulls me to the village center. I barely have time to grab the flask. Women of all ages join us. Like a flash mob, they start to dance. I have no idea what to do. Alie breaks down the steps for me. There's a bit of footwork and a whole lot of hip shaking involved. But once you get the hang of it, it's kind of fun.
Feeling the spirit of the occasion, I share the flask with the women around me. I also get another swallow... or ten. The music and alcohol work their magic. I'm having a great time dancing my cares away.
Afrin runs up with Oza in tow. The little girl throws her arms around my waist in a hug. With the affectionate greeting out of the way, I offer my hands to her. We spin 'round and 'round while doing the signature hip shaking. Afrin uses her charms to convince Oza and Alie to join our unconventional dance. Two pairs of joined hands become four. The former in-laws are stiff in the beginning. They haven't had much to do with one another since Oza left Ewar years earlier. But, as the saying goes, time heals all wounds. Or perhaps letting loose and having fun is the secret. I suppose the details are unimportant. Alie and Oza are laughing. That is all that matters.
Our spinning stops when Afrin gets tired. Oza scoops her up and continues to dance with her daughter. Now that I am dancing solo again, I scan the crowd. I find Ewar standing around talking to Jas. His eyes, however, are fixed on me.
Another blush works its way across my face. This time it isn't due to awkwardness, embarrassment, or shyness.
This blush is solely from pleasure.
And that's how it goes for a while. No matter what we may be doing or to whom we might be talking, our gazes get drawn to one another. One of us smiles, which triggers the other to reciprocate. Inevitably, someone walks in between us, breaking the connection... but only temporarily.
Can you flirt with your eyes alone? I didn't think so before. Now I am a firm believer.
When our eyes reconnect for the nth time, my useless brain decides to fire back up. What am I doing? I'm leaving tomorrow! I have to stop flirting with him. Just because I appeared at this point in Earth's history doesn't mean I can do whatever I want. The butterfly effect states that nothing happens without there being potential consequences.
If the mere flutter of a butterfly's wings could trigger a series of events ending with a typhoon, what would happen if I were to continue down this flirtatious road?
Would Ewar's dreams of having a wife and family be forever destroyed? He has a life to lead, one that isn't supposed to involve me. There is a woman out there waiting for him. I have to take into consideration that leading him away from her makes me a Grade-A asshole.
Even so, I can't help myself. My head turns like a flower towards the sun.
He has found a place to sit by himself. Unsurprisingly, he finds that I am staring again. His ensuing smirk is a deadly weapon. I get weaker the more I look. The idea of kissing it off his face becomes more and more tempting.
Don't even think about it, Bella. Butterfly effect! World chaos! Not only could your selfishness affect Ewar's life, it could also contaminate everything surrounding you. People might suffer. Your interference might push back human advancement by thousands of years. Entire species could get wiped out for all you know! How ironic would it be that a kiss is what sends the butterfly into extinction.
This possibility is like a splash of cold water to my face.
To save the future, I force myself to look elsewhere. Alie is still dancing her heart out. Afrin has fallen asleep on Oza's shoulder. In an attempt at recapturing my earlier mood, I allow the drumbeats to guide my steps. I create a dance that blends the one I learned today with the ones I knew from home. I slide my hands along my curves and shake my hips. Alie picks up on the change and smiles her approval. She mimics my movements and has a blast doing so. If she lived in the twenty-first century, I bet she would have loved to go clubbing.
Out of nowhere, a tall figure appears in our mists, seemingly unconcerned that this is a "women only" dance. Alie shrieks and then dissolves into giggles when Jas lifts her and throws her over his shoulder. As he carries her away, she catches my eye and gives a happy goodbye wave of her hand.
Oza and I have stopped dancing. Once Jas and Alie disappear, we turn to one another. Our shock transforms into laughter. I'm sure the same thought crossed her mind too. That new dance must have affected Jas. It isn't hard to guess what he is planning to do with Alie. It's going to be like their honeymoon period all over again!
This begs one question. Has my dancing created a similar effect on Ewar?
Even though I shouldn't wonder, curiosity is a powerful influence.
My eyes dart back to where he had been sitting. Someone blocks my view of him. The more I study this mystery person, the more suspicious I become. Their figure is small and feminine. Dark hair drapes down their back. But that hair doesn't hide the fact that this person - this woman - is currently topless and performing a dance that jiggles everything she's got.
The mystery woman spins around briefly. I finally get a good look at her.
Essa.
She has been mourning her dead husband for months. The community has been lenient with her, never forcing her to work on days when she is feeling especially sorrowful. So why is she over there shaking her moneymaker at Ewar...
I suck in a breath. Does she really... And does that mean he wants...
Oh HELL no!
Essa is all wrong for him. She only cares about herself. She would make him miserable if they got together. And besides that, she shouldn't even be going after him yet. He already has a wife.
Me!
Yeah, our relationship is not entirely real - but she sure as fuck doesn't know that! Everyone around here believes Ewar and I are husband and wife until I have to go back home to where the Great Spirits live. That isn't until tomorrow. So, technically, she's messing around with a married man.
Grieving widow my ass. Essa is a homewrecker!
Blind rage takes over. I march over to put a stop to it. Now that I am closer, I catch her laying a hand on his shoulder. He immediately flicks it off. But she must possess the attention span of a wet noodle. She tries it again.
I give her a good shove.
She stumbles out of the way enough for me to squeeze in. By the time she realizes what happened, I have already placed myself on Ewar's lap and slung an arm around his neck.
My burning glare could melt a glacier. "You'd better find yourself someone else to hook up with tonight, Essa. Ewar is allergic to cave tramps."
The venom in my voice is unmistakable. Essa may not understand English, but even she can tell when she has crossed the wrong woman. She glances from Ewar to me a couple of times before stomping away.
Too bad she didn't try to push the issue. I would have happily kicked her ass into next Tuesday.
As I rejoice in my victory, I meet Ewar's unblinking gaze. His stunned reaction is understandable. I am on his lap and much too close. I slowly come to realize what I have done. I got rid of a potential wife without consulting him first! And instead of minding my own business, I staked a claim on him - as though I have any right!
Hello! Earth to Bella. Butterfly effect, remember? Fucking around with the past? Interfering where you aren't supposed to? Ring any bells?
Despair is tempered slightly by the wisdom of my conscience. I don't want to mess up Ewar's life. I should get up and leave before things get out of hand.
His unrelenting gaze won't let me.
The festival, the people surrounding us, everything except him fades into the background. I don't fight it when his hand finds a resting place on my hip. Nor do I protest when the tip of his nose grazes my cheek, moving in a lazy pattern. How can something so simple feel so intimate? His touch is delightfully teasing and frustrating at the same time. It leaves me wanting more.
As if he knows exactly what he is doing, he continues torturing me. His lips maintain a calculated distance. If I want them, I will have to make the first move.
I am left teetering on the edge. Give into temptation, or be good and stay strong?
"Bella..."
The way he breathes my name sends me into a tailspin. Now I understand the legend of the siren. I would give nearly anything to hear him say it like that again.
My gaze drops to his lips once last time.
Fuck the butterflies. Who needs them, anyway? They're just moths who come out in the daytime.
I go in for a kiss before I can talk myself out of it. His lips are better than I imagined. Pliable and patient, they allow me to set the pace. Our kiss is short, sweet, and a forerunner of things to come.
We pause to take a breath. His panting smile convinces me that our break is over.
I am more pushy this time. He groans when my tongue caresses his upper lip. His arms wrap around me, crushing our bodies together. After a while, he goes from simply accepting my affection to actively seeking more. His mouth slides down my neck to taste the skin of my shoulder. A nibble later, he comes back to claim my kisses again.
The pounding of the tribal drums matches the racing of my heart.
My lips are lightly sore the next time we come up for air. His forehead comes to rest against my own. All at once, I recall that we are not alone. From the corner of my eye, I see people still celebrating. No one seems to care what we have been up to, but I prefer privacy.
I find my legs again and stand. Ewar is visibly confused until I hold out my hand.
"Let's go to bed."
00000000000000000000
A/N- I know you guys are probably excited about what happened. Who wouldn't be?
Bella and Ewar finally did the hokey pokey.
In other news, the existence of alcohol during the Ice Age is conjecture on my part. While it hasn't been disproven, there isn't any solid evidence of it before 9,000 years ago either. However, researchers suspect there were some mind-altering substances being taken around the time people were making cave art. They could have been using alcohol, psychedelic mushrooms, or something else entirely. I asked Google what early Britons may have been taking back then. All it did was give me the side-eye.
So to make it easy on my poor brain, Ewar's people made alcohol in this story, lol. I figured if a raccoon can get drunk from eating fermented berries, a human from prehistoric times might have figured out the secret recipe of wine and/or mead.
Thanks for reading. :-)