The Scent of Lilac: An Arrow's Flight Novella (12 page)

           
Kate
would be so proud.

           
“I will
bring you everything you need first thing tomorrow,” I tell him, and he nods.

           
I step
away, our fingers break free from one another, and his eyes change. He’s been
so brave, but I feel his fear. It collides with my own.

           
I step
into him, laying my forehead against his chest, and his arms envelop me. One
squeeze, and I sigh into his embrace.

           
“Stay
safe,” I whisper. “Everything will be better tomorrow.”

           
I say
these things blindly and to ease my own fears. I truly have no idea what
tomorrow will bring. Or the next day. It’s more likely that we will get caught,
but I don’t say this aloud. I don’t want to think it. He knows as well as I
that our chances are slim, so there’s no need to put it into words.

           
We stay
locked together another moment before he bends down and presses his lips to
mine—a sweet, gentle move. Everything in me wants to stay right here with him,
but that would be no good for either of us if I expect for him to survive out
here.

           
It’s well
past supper by the time I slink my way into the Village, but fortunately,
someone turned sixteen tonight, and the festivities are in full swing in the
clearing. Not only has the Council been preoccupied, but there will be plenty
of food for the taking and enough drinking for me to do so without suspicion. I
toss my eyes to the sky, utterly grateful.

           
The
orange glow of the bonfire is capped by a canopy of smoke that spreads out
across the clearing, and the music, slow and methodic, beats in my ears as I
approach. The clearing is full of women, laughing and chattering, and a strange
sensation works its way into my chest. If circumstances were different
tonight—if Diana and Kate and Layla were here—I’d be right in the thick of this
celebration. Honestly, I enjoy them tremendously, and I search the head table
until I find Lilly, the girl of honor. She perches on the edge of her chair,
her eyes bright with anticipation, and I have to smile. I remember my day well.
It felt so nice to finally be a woman—to be a productive part of our community.
Tara
sits beside her in Mona’s place. She leans in to speak
to Eleanor on her left, but she spots me and straightens. I manage a weak
smile, but a little piece of me balks with guilt as I near the food table
cluttered with every delicacy the Village has to offer. I must reek of
betrayal.

           
I avoid
her eyes and load my platter with sliced boar, turkey legs, fruit, and bread
and settle into a vacant spot at the end of one table. The speeches ended long
before I arrived. Lilly’s title of singer has been bestowed upon her, and there
is nothing left to do but enjoy the party. The food smells delicious, and I
would devour every bit of it if my stomach weren’t tied into fat knots. I
nibble on a piece of meat, avoiding the eyes of those at the other end of the
table who can certainly read in my expression what an awful person I’ve become
overnight. I know all too well what I would think. How could someone be so
disloyal to her own people as to aid in the misconduct of stock? One woman
casts a glance my way, and I shrink lower in my seat, afraid in my panic this
may be exactly what she’s thinking.

           
The
Council glazes over the assembly with steady, watchful eyes. The musicians beat
their drums and play their flutes, and Lilly is coaxed into singing for us—her
very first official performance. With a shy smile, she stands, takes a place on
the platform, and begins. Her voice is serenely beautiful as it curls out over
our heads like whispers of wind. It mesmerizes, and I am not surprised the Lion
chose this duty for her.

           
“She has
quite a voice.”

           
I turn.
Blaer’s eyes remain on Lilly another minute before she plops down beside me and
rests her elbows on the table. She nods at my food.

           
“Are you
going to eat all that?”

           
 
Paranoia invades, and I pull the dish closer
in. “I’m… not eating for only myself any longer.”

           
Blaer
leans back, beaming. “You’re pregnant? Well, that is good news.”

           
I smile
wanly, grateful to have that excuse for hoarding food. With a wink, Blaer leans
in.

           
“I
suppose that influenced your decision not to cross the river today.”

           
She
doesn’t balk, her gaze steady, and it takes a good half minute to choke down
the meat I’ve just swallowed. Blaer casually reaches for a pitcher and pours me
a clay cup of water. I gulp it down before facing her, anger riddling me.

           
“Are you
following me?”

           
Lilly’s voice
floats out soft and wispy over my loud question, and a few of the women’s heads
turn. Blaer pays no mind as she shrugs.

           
“I would
call it… noticing your activity.”

           
I tense,
pulling my shoulders up until my back straightens completely, giving me a good
two inches on Blaer’s height. “Oh. So you’re not following me. You’re spying on
me.”

           
Blaer
studies me, an intensity flooding into her features. “I will admit I’ve been
curious about you.”

           
I shake
my head, exasperated. “Why?”

           
Only then
does Blaer cast an uneasy glance at those around us. “Could we talk somewhere
else?” she asks quietly.

           
“About
what?”

           
She
sighs, slumping. “I know you have no reason to trust me, Mia, but I’m not your
enemy. In fact, I might be the best friend you have right now.”
           
“We aren’t friends,” I remind
her.

           
“And I’ll
say again… we could be.”

           
I cannot
for my life understand why she’s suddenly so interested in me. Blaer never
cared for any of my friends. She was older than Diana and too sophisticated for
our antics, and I consciously listen for an ulterior motive in her tone.

           
“Give me
a few minutes of your time. It’s all I ask.”

           
I purse
my lips, thinking. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to have a conversation with her.
At the very least, I could find out how much she saw today. Does she know that
Chad
is hiding on the other side of the river, or did she only see me returning? I
sigh.

           
“Fine.”
On an afterthought, I add, “But I need you to fill a platter with food and
bring it. For later.” I rub my stomach as a decoy.

           
She leaps
to her feet. “Should I select mostly fruit and nuts? Some bread, possibly? You
know, things that will keep longer?”

           
She winks
again. I stare at her.

           
She knows.

           
I watch
her disappear into the crowd, fully aware that
Chad
’s
escape will be short-lived if she betrays what she knows. Every scenario I can
imagine floods into my head:
Tara
put her up to this; she
is following me because the Council is bent on finding Kate; they still think I
had something to do with
Chad
’s
disappearance—which I did not.

           
Until now.

           
Blaer
trots toward me, a platter piled with nonperishable items, and I grow more
uneasy. But the Council is oblivious to the girl carrying the overloaded dish,
still smiling over Lilly, who has just begun her third song.
 
 

           
“I hope
this is enough for him.” Blaer whispers, lifting her hoard with a toss of her
head. “Come on.”

           
I rise,
carrying my half-eaten meal, and follow her out of the clearing with no clue as
to what I’m about to get myself into.

laer doesn’t take the path that leads back to the hogans,
and she doesn’t turn toward the Pit, either. Instead, once we’re free from the
clearing, she cuts back around the perimeter and heads toward the west end. I
don’t say a word as I follow, my curiosity rising just enough to keep me two
paces behind her. Only when we’re standing in front of Mona’s cabin do I lift
my brows. Blaer tosses me a cheeky smile.

           
“This is
our meeting place.”

           
My
fingers tighten on the edge of the dish. “For what?”

           
Without
another word, she climbs the wooden steps and pushes open the door. I don’t
move as she disappears inside. I’ve never been this close to the Village
leader’s cabin. I wouldn’t dare think of it. And yet… Blaer walks in as if she
owns it herself. What is she thinking?

           
I scan
the skies, a nervous tingling pricking me. Are the Moirai watching? Will they
send the Council? And what will they do if they find us here?

           
Blaer
pokes her head out and peers at me. “Are you coming?”

           
“What are
you doing, Blaer? Have you lost your mind?” I shake my head, a real concern for
her safety enveloping me. “This is sacred ground.”

           
She emits
a soft laugh and steps out onto the porch. “Hardly. There’s nothing in here but
a big, empty room now.”

           
I think
on this. Out of respect to her memory, everything that belonged to Mona was
burned after her death to prevent anyone else from ever using it. The flames
from the bonfire were so tall they seemed to lick the clouds, and they left a
smoky haze that lasted for hours. That was three days before her burial. Still,
traipsing into this place without any kind of regard feels wrong. I shuffle my
feet uncomfortably.

           
“Don’t
worry, Mia.” Blaer takes a step and curls her bare toes over the edge of the
top step. “Nobody has come here in weeks. And since we have no official council
leader yet, we have no reason to fear being here.”

           
“But…” My
fingers flex against the dish. “What of the Moirai?”

           
She
crosses her arms over her chest. “This is precisely why we’re here.”

           
Her words
only confuse me further. She skips down the steps and takes my arm. “Now
standing out here in the open… this is the danger. Come on.”

           
Nerves
rattling, I let her lead me up the steps.

           
“Here we
are, girls.”

           
“It’s
about time.”

A harsh whisper from the shadows.
I blink rapidly, hoping to adjust to the sudden darkness.

“Who’s with you?” I ask Blaer.

“A few like-minded friends,” she
answers with a hopeful skip in her voice. “We’ve been waiting for the perfect
time to approach the rebel breeder’s best friend. When I saw you helping your
mate cross the river, I knew it had arrived.”

I hardly have time to digest this
before one of the girls throws a blanket over a rack hanging above the one
window to shield us from outside eyes, and a candle flares to life. My eyes
fall over the tall frame of Fallon. I shift my gaze to another crouching on the
floor near the candle. The flames brighten her face. Bridget. All breeders. Astounded,
I swing toward Blaer.

“What is this?”

There’s a shuffle from the far
corner, and Gina comes into view. My mouth drops with shock at the sight of the
hunter.

“We’ve formed a little group.”
Blaer nods once, her hands clasped behind her back. “Of rebels.”

The word shoots through me, and
my nerve endings come alive.

“Oh no.” I shake my head, and
slide back a step, misjudging the distance and bumping an elbow into the door.
A few morsels bounce from my dish and sprinkle the floor. “I am not doing
this.”

           
“Mia,”
Blaer raises a cautious hand. “Please don’t go. We have so many questions.”

           
“And why
would you think I have answers?”

           
Her brows
lift. “Didn’t Kate tell you her plans?”

           
“No, she
did not.” I reach for the door handle. “I wanted no part in what she did,
either. And—I—I begrudgingly helped her when she asked. I don’t want to be a
rebel.”

           
“Then why
did you help your mate escape?” Fallon chimes in. My head swings in her
direction. She’s as tall as me, our eyes meeting squarely. I swallow the bile
rising in my throat.

           
“I
didn’t.”

           
The room
is silent a beat.

           
“Of
course you did,” Gina quips. “No stock would leave the Pit on his own.”

           
“It’s
exactly what he did,” I snap as my fear takes over. Gina narrows her eyes with
a scowl.

           
“But… why
would he?” Fallon shakes her head in confusion. “None of the others have had a
thought to do so.”

           
Blaer
crosses her arms over her chest, her scrutinizing eyes dancing in the
candlelight as she waits for my answer. My chest tightens, but I say nothing.
Clearly, they haven’t been informed that
Chad
isn’t the only one. But I don’t have to tell these girls a thing. I owe them
nothing. I pull the door open an inch.

           
“Wait.”
Blaer takes a step, sending a harsh look toward the others. “No more questions
about your mate.”

           
“We
promise, Mia,” Bridget adds, a shy smile transforming her face.

           
I
hesitate, shifting my eyes from one girl to the next, but I let the door click
back into place.

           
“I’m not
going to rebel against the Council,” I announce, my voice firm and commanding,
which has never been an easy task for me.

           
“Okay,”
Blaer nods.

           
I tilt my
head her way. “Why are you doing this?”

           
She
smiles and takes a seat near Bridget. Crossing her legs beneath her, she pats
the floor. “Come sit with us.”

           
Begrudgingly,
I sink down beside her. Fallon does the same, but Gina stays solidly in her
spot. All of their faces peer at me anxiously, and my nerves flare to life
again. I don’t know what they think to gain from my being here.

           
“Everything
Kate did the day she left,” Blaer begins. She nods toward the group. “I can
speak for all of us when I say it touched us.”

           
“She
killed Mona that day,” I remind her. “Did that touch you?”

           
“We don’t
blame her,” Fallon answers. “We heard what happened. She defended herself.”

           
“She
defended her mate,” I say, continuing to test them. “She disobeyed the Council,
and they were going to punish her for it.”

           
“Did you
help her?” Gina’s hard voice echoes from her place in the half-shadows. I shift
toward her, confused.

           
“No.”

           
“I don’t
mean then. Before. When her mate escaped, and she was tied to that tree for all
that time? Did you help her?”

           
My mind
trips backward to that day. Kate was injured—another harsh lesson by Mona’s
hand. She begged me to help her get to the Pit, insisting that she had to rescue
Ian. I didn’t want to help—I truly didn’t. But how could I tell her no? She was
my best friend, and she was in trouble. I face Gina.

           
“Yes.”

           
“Then
you’re already a rebel.”

           
A sharp
breath sends an ache through my chest. I shake my head. “No.”

           
“Yes, you
are,” Bridget grasps my hand in her tiny, fragile one, squeezing once. “We’re
all scared, Mia. We’ve never in our lives considered such things, and they
terrify us. But what Kate said? We all want that. We simply didn’t know how
much until she made us see it.”

           
 
I attempt to pull my hand away, but her grip
tightens.

           
“I want
to be brave like her,” she continues, her eyes lighting. “I want to be free to
learn to love without repercussions. I want to decide what I will do with my
life.”

           
“We all
do,” Fallon adds.

           
I stare
at them, baffled by the conversation.

           
“What is
your plan?” I ask timidly, very certain I don’t want to hear the answer.

           
Blaer smiles,
leaning back a little. “We all have different ideas. Bridget wants to get Mark
out of the Pit, same as you.”

           
I shift
my gaze toward Bridget, and she nods anxiously. I see myself in her eyes. She
has grown to care for her mate in the same way I did—with much stumbling and
denial. So I say nothing to this. I can’t judge it.

           
“Fallon
likes to a cook.”

           
“That’s
right,” Fallon nods. “Molly lets me linger in the kitchen more than she should.
She often says it’s a shame the Fish didn’t see the natural talent in me for
preparing foods. And then her eyes snap to the skies in shame for defying him
with her words.”

           
This,
too, I cannot judge. How many times has Rhoda said something similar? Only she
has no fear of the Moirai or the constellation rulers that I have ever seen. Being
the most sought after physician must give her liberty. I address Gina.

           
“And
you?”

           
Her lip
twitches a few times as if she doesn’t intend to answer, but then her gruff
voice fills the silence.

           
“I am a
hunter,” she says. “I like it. But I do it because I want to—not because it’s
my destiny.”

           
My
shoulders relax into her answer. It’s a beautiful statement for a rough hunter.
I smile, casting my eyes to the candle’s flame.

           
“I have
always wanted to be a doctor,” I whisper.

           
“And so
you should be.” Blaer’s hand drops onto my forearm. “That is why we’re here. To
make these things happen somehow.”

           
To make these things happen…

           
I peer at
her, and understanding settles over me.

           
“You
aren’t planning to rebel against the Council,” I whisper. “You’re planning to
fight Fate.”

           
Blaer’s
satisfied smile is all the answer I need to know I’ve guessed correctly. I
shake my head.
     

           
“It’s impossible,
you know.”

           
“I don’t
think so,” Blaer shrugs. “Kate managed it.”

           
“Did
she?” I ask. “She’s gone, Blaer. Banished.”

           
“Self-imposed
banishment,” Blaer corrects. “The Moirai had nothing to do with it.”

           
Exasperated,
I stare at her.

           
“Kate
would not approve of this. She didn’t care to spark a rebellion. She only
wanted to save the life of one boy.”

           
“Perhaps,”
Fallon lifts her brows. “But she’s done so regardless.” She pauses. “The rumors
are thick. Is she lost to the desolate outside world as the Council would like
us to believe?
 
I can’t think so. She
left with those boys. They belong somewhere, and they are proof that we have
been lied to.”

           
I can’t
argue with this. In the end, I believed Kate. I saw those giant boys with my
own eyes, just as Bridget did, and I knew they had to have come from some place
far more magical than anything our nursery could ever produce. But I don’t say
this. I have no desire to encourage them. And still, quiet humming ignites
inside me as the reality of their scheming begins to come into view.

           
“What are
you going to do?”

           
My voice
carries a deliberate caution. Silence answers me as the girls exchange wary
glances. And then Blaer answers.

           
“We’re
going to find Kate and bring her back.”

           
I stare
in disbelief, my eyes scanning each girl in turn. “Why?”

           
“Because
we need her.”

           
“That’s
madness,” I whisper. “We don’t even know where she is.”

           
“Which is
why we’re thoroughly preparing. In case we can’t find her, or in case she won’t
come back.” Blaer shrugs one shoulder up to her ear.

           
“And if
she won’t? What then?”

“We won’t come back either.”

I’m stunned. “You won’t come
back? What will you do? How can you survive?”

“We have a hunter and a cook,
see? And Bridget should have been a gardener.” Blaer smiles. “We’ll have no
shortage of vegetables with her around. As for me, I’m stronger than I look.
Plus, I can sew a skirt out of just about anything.” She pauses for emphasis.
“All we need is someone who knows something about medicines and herbs.”