Page 7

Jasmine

A large bonfire roared in the middle of the field, and despite the frozen ground and the ink black sky, lots of people had come out to drink, chat, and laugh. The atmosphere was great, and I liked that the delegation from Grower's Cove were getting to see our village like this, but I was also a little worried about them mixing with the villagers. But realistically, I knew it wasn't like we could ban them from partaking. Although it looked like only Ryburn and Ford had come. Maybe the others were elsewhere, I hadn't spent as much time with Mallory and Aster, they could be elsewhere.

I pushed all thoughts of the delegation from my mind. This was a social event and I wasn't meant to be working, which meant that I should do my best to enjoy myself and unwind, just like I'd normally done. I got myself some ale and joined my friends and brother who were also enjoying a break from their duties.

"I bet I could throw a ball further than you," Brew exclaimed, flexing his arm and pretending to throw one.

Oliver laughed. "I don't believe it. I've seen you try to lift something. It's not a pretty sight."

"Uhh, I lifted up Katie last night and I didn't hear her complaining."

Horror coiled through me at Brew's statement, especially since he made it in front of Katie's brother. Oliver's expression was one of distaste, and he finished his drink in one go, with good reason.

I would've done the same if we weren't in public. Even if I wasn't on duty, being part of the four families meant I was never really off. If something happened, people would turn towards us for guidance and help.

Some exaggerated giggling reached my ears and it was no surprise to see Taz Miller saunter up to us. Tall, perfect bronze complexion, and with the most charming of grins, she couldn't go anywhere without some woman fluttering their eyelashes at her or making indecent proposals. She didn't do anything for me, but I knew I was an exception based on the reactions of the other women in town. And Cami's. My sister had done some pretty dumb things to get Taz's attention.

"It's cold today," Taz said when she reached us, clearly not bothered by the attention. She was likely used to it.

Oliver hummed in agreement. "Settle something for us. Who do you think would throw a ball the furthest? Me or Brew?"

Taz pulled up one eyebrow. "Obviously, Jasmine."

I laughed. "I wouldn't, but I appreciate the vote of confidence."

"You're probably stronger than you think you are," she said, giving me that signature charming grin, the one that was so disarming because it wasn't meant as anything but a genuine smile.

Objectively, I could really see why Cami had been so smitten with Taz Miller. But she had my attention for a different reason.

"Did you discuss the mill project with your family?" I asked her, curious what the verdict would be and if she would tell me.

Taz hummed. "We did. I think we'd have to see the stream and the area before we could make any decision. The amount of trees and accessible stone nearby would greatly influence the duration and difficulty of the project."

That made sense and wasn't something I had considered. That was why it was so good to have multiple people in charge.

"We're planning to travel to Grower's Cove in a few days," I said. "You or someone you trust could join us."

She nodded. "I think I'll go myself. I don't want to leave such an important judgement call to someone else. I guess I could ask Naida, but I can't imagine she would enjoy that. You know how she is with new people."

I chuckled at the mention of her sister. "Yeah, Naida is like Earl on that front. Adorable homebodies."

"Exactly, so I'll come with you," Taz said, turning when someone called her name. She waved back and gave us a quick apology before running off to put out a fire or bat away another romantic candidate.

I left Oliver and Brew bickering about who was better at what to check on the delegation from Grower's Cove. And maybe I just wanted to have another chat with Ryburn, but that was neither here nor there. I was just being a good host. Nothing more than that.

"Hey, how are you enjoying the bonfire?" I asked, offering them both what I hoped was a welcoming smile.

"It's wonderful," Ryburn said, smiling in return. "Lively."

Ford looked sort of past me. "Are you not worried about causing a forest fire?"

"No, we have lots of water and sand on hand, the field is large enough, and there are members of the fire guard present. They'll be able to contain it," I assured him, understanding his worry. "We only built the fire a couple of hours before we lit it too, so we can be as sure as possible that no small creatures have made their home in it."

Ford didn't look convinced. "Fire can travel far on the wind."

Ryburn cleared his throat. "I'm sure they know what they're doing, Ford." He turned to look at me. "He's just worried about the orchard."

"So you liked the apple trees?" I asked Ford, curious if that was getting his approval or if he'd have more critique and commentary.

He put his hands in his pockets, still not looking at me, but there was a slight smile on his face. He reminded me of Earl in a lot of ways. "They were all right. Two had a bit of stunted growth, a few could do with more pruning, and some were too close together. But they seemed happy."

Ryburn chuckled. "Coming from Ford, that's high praise."

"Oh, good. We have some dedicated workers tending to the orchards." I spotted the woman who managed them near the bonfire and pointed her out to Ford. "That's Marie, she's in charge of the fruit trees. I’m sure she’d appreciate having a chat if there are any pointers you'd be happy to give her. She wants the trees to thrive."

Ford didn't say goodbye as he rushed away with determination so fast that I barely even registered that it was happening.

"Oh, I didn't mean—" I gave Ryburn a wry smile. "I didn't mean for him to go right away."

Ryburn just shrugged. "That's Ford. It's just apples, apples, apples."

"Are all dryads like that? I mean, I'm assuming he's a dryad?" I asked.

"Yes, he's an apple tree dryad. But no, we're definitely not all like that." There was an affectionate smile on his face that made me think that Ford was more to him than just someone he was travelling with.

"What kind of dryad are you? Or is that rude to ask?"

He grinned. "If you guess, I'll tell you." He leaned back against the fence, seeming more relaxed than when we were hashing out the details of the trade alliance.

"Oh, I feel like I'm approaching a trap," I joked.

His smile tugged the corners of his mouth up. "It's not a trap. I'm curious about what you think."

"All right, give me a moment." I took it as an opportunity to check him out even more thoroughly than I had before. Impressive broad shoulders that looked like they could carry a lot, sculpted arms from manual labour, and good posture.

Ryburn cleared his throat. "My eyes are up here."

I snorted and looked up at him. "And are your eyes going to tell me what type of dryad you are?"

A sparkle appeared in them as he leaned closer and moved his eyebrows up. "Maybe. What do you think?"

"Well, they're brown, so I'm going to guess... What plants are brown?" I racked my brain, begging it not to let me down. I wasn't a nature type, but I had some basic knowledge from spending time with the Fields and Millers. But right now, it was just blank.

Ryburn chuckled, a warm, lovely sound that made his Adam's apple dance. "I'll put you out of your misery. I'm an oak dryad."

"I wouldn't have guessed, but I know very little about dryads," I said, but now that I thought about it, I could see it. Ryburn was tall, strong, and he looked quietly reliable. If his brother resembled him, I could see why he was in the ruling council of Growers Cove.

"I also have some chestnut tree in my lineage. And if my grandmother is to be believed, potentially some reed. Maybe that's the vibe you're picking up on," he joked, raising his arms and pretending to sway with the wind.

I burst into laughter and it mixed with his, a sound that was music to my ears.

Why was he so attractive?

"So dryad type is hereditary?" I checked to make sure I'd understood it correctly.

"More or less. But almost every dryad family has multiple plants mixed into it, so there's still an element of luck to it."

"Interesting."

"Not particularly," he responded.

"That's just because you're used to it," I pointed out. "I bet there are things about being a tea witch that I find boring, but you'd think was fascinating."

"I think a lot about you is fascinating, Jasmine," he responded softly.

My cheeks heated in a way that had nothing to do with the bonfire, but thankfully, I doubted he could tell, the light of the fire was far away, giving me the comfort of the gloomy evening light to hide in.

But there was no hiding from myself, or the knowledge that if Ryburn lived in Purple Oak, there was so much more I'd like to get to know about him.