Page 12 of The Garnet Daughter (The Viridian Priestess #3)

Instead, he leans in closer, looming over me in an attempt to intimidate. Rouke is a bully, he always has been, but his tone has taken on a furious edge, as if he truly hates me. “You should be ashamed of yourself, keeping the company of Viathans.”

I open my mouth, about to spit my anger at him, but then August is beside me, pressing forward into Rouke’s space.

“Back up,” he says in a low voice.

I have not seen August like this in some time, all the rage he keeps in check now spilling out and directed at Rouke.

He puffs out and tenses his chest while staring down his opponent, neither willing to budge and standing eye to eye.

Their feud is not a deep one, but I know without a doubt that either of them would settle it tonight if given the chance.

But if this goes any further, it could ruin our plan.

“It’s alright. We will speak with them some other time,” I try to diffuse, to at least gain some distance between them.

“You outstayed your welcome the first time, Viathan,” Rouke snarls.

August doesn’t reply, his body determined to stay between Rouke and me.

I slip my hand into his and pull at it slightly, and only then do I capture his attention. “August. Please,” I plead.

He takes a few moments to process the severity of my simple words.

I repeat them again as a whisper, hoping to snap him out of whatever ego-filled frenzy he has found himself in.

I know he is listening when I feel his fingers curl around mine even as Rouke takes a step closer, pressing his chest into August’s.

“Not another word from you,” I spit at Rouke and his ridiculous posturing.

I pull August’s hand toward me, and to my surprise, he follows.

“Good night, friend.” August smiles over his shoulder.

“Careful, Viathan. This time the forest may just swallow you whole,” Rouke calls out as we head toward the other side of the communal fire.

I wait until we are far away, on the outskirts of the celebration, hidden behind a nearby home, and snap my hand away from his. “You shouldn’t provoke him.”

“He has had many chances to do something if he wanted. He’s been eyeing us for days. He’s all smoke.”

I should have known August would notice Rouke’s hostile glares whenever he spotted us walking to and from the beacon together.

“Even so, we are supposed to be lying low.”

“I didn’t like how aggressive he was to you.” He takes a deep breath, as if even repeating what happened is changing his mind about retreating.

I scrub my hands down my face, trying to collect my thoughts about what our next move should be

“Should we double back in a bit? Try again?” August suggests, sensing my frustration.

“No. Look, Rouke and his friends are blockading the path.”

The group of young hunters watches August and me from across the fire, daring us to come back to the celebration.

“I’ve pushed through harder blockades than that lot,” August says smugly.

I begin back down the path toward home. “I don’t think they will see me tonight anyway. Maybe because of how I approached them this morning.”

August strides along next to me. “The leaders of the three worlds have more in common than they know. Try to speak with them in the morning then? Be more persistent?”

“Or maybe we just ask others to help us after all.” My desperation to get back now, knowing Ferren’s life is in danger, eases some of my discomfort in bending my village’s traditions. The longer we stay, the more I feel like an outsider, and this is most definitely something an outsider would do.

“With Ruth and Kieran, we would only need a few others to erect the beacon, right?” I duck under some of the decorative flowers, now wilting and tired from the festivities.

“You said no one would help without the elders’ permission.”

“We should try. We have been gone too long and—” I wait for two men who are headed back to the celebration to pass by and lower my voice.

“Ferren and 99 would do the same for us, break the rules. When we ask around, we will let a few people know the risk of upsetting the elders, but I think many of them will want the beacon restored whether we are using it or not. Many have family on other worlds and it’s the only means to communicate. ”

“We should start tonight, when people are happy and drinking.”

“They won’t be done for hours, would likely forget what they agreed to by morning.

If we can convince Ruth and Kieran, I think more will join.

We go see them tomorrow as soon as the village starts to stir again.

They will not be affected by drink like the others with all her remedies.

Many will come to her house for just that, and we can select our volunteers then. ”

He inspects me with a smug smile, the intensity making me squirm.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“You would have made a great Viathan soldier. You’re excellent at strategy.”

“I'm in no mood for jokes.”

“I’m serious. I have no questions, nothing to add. Ready to charge into battle at your word.”

“Save it for tomorrow.” I groan.

“Yes, ma’am.”