See Me

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

BROGAN DECLARED IT A week of celebration in the village. The Shoe House was closed for business. Because of the feasting and constant excited bustle of the men, the women ironically worked overtime. They didn’t seem to mind, seeing how all of their men were in such fine spirits. There was an abundance of winking going on, and no female’s backside was safe from an onslaught of pinches, including mine. By the end of the first day I was certain a wager was going around to see which wee man could make me squeal the loudest.

It wasn’t viewed as an act of disrespect. Even McKale thought it was funny. I think he enjoyed how each pinch caused my face to redden. I was unsure how to react to the jolly men’s attentions.

“If someone back home pinched my butt they’d get slapped,” I explained to McKale.

“Well, yer bum is very near their faces. The lads can’t help themselves.”

“Ha-ha,” I dead-panned.

Despite the festivity of the villagers, I couldn’t bring myself to share in the cheer.

My mood was further dampened by several twinges of magic in the air throughout the day, though nobody in the village seemed to notice or care. Maybe they were used to it, but I didn’t think I ever would be.

The surrounding busyness did keep my mind occupied for long stretches. While my parents and sister agreed to partake in some games, I helped in the kitchen. The women taught me to make fruit pastries from fresh wild berries. And as much as they loved the men, they’d smack any hands that reached for food before it was ready to serve.

From the corner of my eye I saw a brown head poke around the doorframe. I looked up at Cassidy, who frantically waved me to her. She grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me around the corner where we were alone.

“I got my period!” she said, beaming. She threw her arms around my neck and I hugged her around the waist. My lungs released the world’s largest and happiest exhale. Ah, sweet friggin’ relief! Finally, something went right.

Without letting go of me, Cass said, “I’m sorry that I even told you I was late. I’ve been so out of whack, but I shouldn’t have worried you. This is your time and you have so much going on.”

I held her tighter. “No, I’m glad you told me. Please don’t ever feel like you can’t come to me. I might… freak out a little because I worry, but I love you no matter what.”

We released each other and Cass cast her eyes downward.

“I’m going to find Rock tonight and tell him,” she said.

I wanted to tell her to stay away from him, but they would have been wasted words. So instead I lamely said, “Okay, just… be careful.”

“I will.” With a newfound lightness she left me, returning to the festivities. I shook my head and went back to the kitchens. I wished I could inject a dose of caution into that girl’s veins.

When the last rack of pastries was cooling, the ladies eyed one another as they removed their smocks.

Leilah smiled at me. “We’ve got something for ye, Robyn.”

“You do?” My mouth lifted in return, wondering what they were up to.

“Aye, we do. All of us women folk, that is. Let me fetch yer sister and mum. Then we’ll show ya.”

I washed berry juice from my hands and patted flour from my shirt until Leilah returned with Cassidy and Mom, both grinning. So, they were in on it, too. Hm. The group of women led me down into the female cottages. Other women saw us going, and joined along the way. Leilah and Rachelle went into one of the rooms and came back out, gingerly holding a long swath of lavender silk across their arms. I sucked in a breath and grabbed my mother’s hand.

The village women motioned to Cassidy, who took the gown and held it up for me to see.

“We loaned them your sundress to use for measurements,” Mom said. “It’s a binding gown.”

The dress was unlike anything I would have chosen for myself, and yet, it was perfection. I examined each detail. The neck was a deep scoop, which rounded up over the shoulders with dainty short sleeves. It had an empire waist that flowed to the ground. My favorite part was the coloring. They’d specially dyed it so the top was lavender, and it gradually darkened as it lowered, becoming a deep purple at the bottom. The colors reminded me of a Hollyhock. I wanted nothing more than to have McKale see me in this dress.

“You made this?” I asked, getting choked up as I looked around at the twenty or so expectant faces.

“Aye. We hope ye will not mind that it’s not entirely traditional,” Leilah explained, appearing worried. “Customarily the sleeves are longer, but we were inspired by the style of a few pieces the two of ye gals often wear.”

“I love it,” I said, reaching out to touch the fabric. It was as soft as it looked. I gathered it in my hands and held it up to myself. There were murmurs and affirmative nods. Mom and Cass moved together to get a good view.

“Och, the coloring is spot on, just as I told ye lasses,” boasted the oldest woman, the one who’d made me the apron. I leaned down and kissed her cheek. Before I could straighten again she grasped my face and kissed one of my cheeks, and then the other.

“Bless ye, child,” she said.

Handing the dress back to a tearful Cassidy, I went around and thanked each woman, giving hugs and receiving kisses, ending with Mom, then my sister who opted to give me a bear hug. The women clapped as Cass and I rocked back and forth, laughing. I liked to think that it helped Cassidy and Mom as much as it helped me, knowing I’d been accepted by the women of the clan. It was one less thing they had to worry about when it was time to leave me.

Early dusk was upon us by the time we brought my lovely gown to my room and headed for the clearing. Our large group of females made quite an entrance. You would have thought we were celebrities the way the men hooted and carried on as we walked down. Some of the women curtsied or twirled and we all laughed, feeling punchy.

McKale approached me, fiddle in hand.

“I fancy playing a few songs, if ye don’t mind.”

Good gosh, was the boy asking my permission? I reached up and kissed him, not letting his lips go until I heard people cheering.

“Of course I don’t mind. I love hearing you play. I’ll come sit near you.”

He gave a bashful grin at the compliment and took my hand, leading me to the table nearest the musicians. My family followed and sat with me. We clapped to the tempo as the music began, and though all seemed well on the surface I couldn’t fully let loose and rejoice. The closer I grew to McKale, and the nearer our binding date came, the more I felt a looming threat from the FFG.

The first song ended, and a murmur went through the crowd. I sat up straighter, on alert. I felt my family do the same. Drawn-out voices sounded from down in the field. I stood to look, heart sprinting. Movement caught my eye as a row of men exited the trees, all in a line with their arms draped around one another’s shoulders. It was the Clourichaun boys, singing in sloshy voices, stumbling in a zig-zag line through the tall grass—eight regular sized boys and four little men ambling along. They seemed so young. I didn’t think the Clour lived lifestyles that allowed them to reach ripe old ages.

McKale had gained special permission for them to attend the binding ceremony, but Brogan did not look happy about seeing them so soon. He crossed his arms over his beard and shook his head, mumbling about how he’d boot the lot of ‘em if they didn’t behave themselves. Brogan then ordered the musicians to take up their instruments. A song promptly began.

I glanced at Cassidy who was craning her neck for a view of Rock. McKale watched me, fiddle to his chin. His hands moved over the strings, but his eyes questioned if everything was all right. I nodded.

The Clour boys made it to the clearing and broke away from one another. They must have been holding each other up before that because they all went sprawling and rolling when they let go and kicking their feet in the air.

Women clucked their tongues or giggled. Some of the Chaun boys laughed and greeted the Clour, helping them to their feet while the older men harrumphed with disapproval.

Cassidy’s eyes were bright. I knew she was dying to give Rock the happy news. “I’m just gonna go say hi,” Cassidy said to our parents. Mom pursed her lips together.

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Dad told her.

I knew she would go no matter what, and I didn’t want a scene.

“I’ll go with her,” I said, taking her hand. “We’ll come right back.”

Dad glared in Rock’s direction, and I could see why.

Rock could barely stand. His ankles kept bending under his weight. Cassidy and I stood and moved closer, watching as Keefe, the soccer guy, greeted Rock, pulling back his hand and flapping it in front of his nose.

“Och, Rock! Ye stink of Farmer Teague’s wife, ye do! Was she boiling another batch of her death-by-roses perfume, then?”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

Laughter ensued, and Rock half-grinned. Other guys leaned in to take whiffs and make faces. Cassidy’s steps faltered and her clammy hand tightened on mine. I felt her eyes stray to me but I couldn’t take mine off Rock. We were close to them now. I prayed the guys were only joking. But as we pulled up to the edge of the group an unmistakable, strong flowered perfume scented the air.

My blood pressure rose.

“Bloody fool,” one of the Chaun boys said, slugging Rock in the arm and nearly knocking him over. “Ye’ll never learn.”

Rock spotted Cassidy and I through bleary, half-closed eyes. “Cassie-lassiiieeee!” He shoved through the other guys and draped his arms around her, bumping me away.

“Ronan, stop,” Cass said, wiggling out of his grasp and staring at him with wide eyes. Her next words were hissed in a dangerously low whisper that only the three of us could hear. “Did you just sleep with some woman? Someone’s wife?” Her eyes begged him to deny it. He could feed her a lie right then, and she would eat it up.

“Tell her the truth,” I warned him. He stank; there was no denying that.

Rock looked at me through a mop of long curls. He stood a touch taller at that moment and looked as serious as I’d ever seen him. There was a message for me in his eyes. I didn’t like it, but I understood it. Rock was about to sever ties with my sister. He looked back at Cassidy, who’d wrapped her arms around herself.

Before Rock could say anything, Blackie came up and clapped him on the back, giving us a devilishly handsome wink.

“Old man Teague should know better than to leave ‘is young bride so long while he tends to trade matters, ‘eh? Somebody has to take care of business at home!” He slapped Rock’s back again, running off and leaving us to digest his words.

Cassidy closed her eyes and pressed her fingertips to her pink lips.

“No,” she whispered through her fingers. “Tell me it’s not true.”

“Cassie…,” Rock said, tilting to the side and then righting himself.

The regret in his tone was evident, but it wasn’t enough.

“Don’t call me that,” she snapped. “I can’t believe you would do that to me. I love you!”

Her words seemed to punch breath from his lungs. Rock’s sorrowful eyes were haunting as he stepped back, distancing himself.

“This is no place for the likes of ye, Cassie.” He still used her nickname, defiant. “And I’ll no’ be tied down to a lass. Ever.”

“Why are you doing this?” She sucked in a shuddering breath and her eyes filled with tears. I watched her face turn hard as her words turned spiteful. “Whatever. I just came over here to tell you I’m not pregnant. Not that you cared. Not that you were worried about me. I can’t believe I was so stupid.”

She tried to leave but he grabbed her upper arm.

“I ne’er meant to hurt ye,” he said.

“Then why did you?” she whispered.

Beyond Rock’s shoulder I saw a shift in the crowd as people moved out of someone’s way. Someone big.

“Go,” I told Rock. “Our dad’s coming. You need to get out of here, now.”

Cassidy and Rock both looked to see I was telling the truth. My parents and Brogan were making a straight line for us.

Rock gave Cass one last heart-shattering look of apology before staggering three steps backward. The other Clour must have been keeping an eye out for Rock, because they all followed his lead back into the grass, pushing and shoving one another as they hurried away. They’d come with a purpose, and it had been achieved.

Cassidy cried silent tears now, one hand over her mouth. I looked for my parents. Dad’s eyes were on the field where Rock had disappeared. Mom’s eyes, of course, were on Cassidy, no doubt reading the heartbreak there. She began moving through the crowd toward us with Dad behind her. Mom wore the same fierce expression she had when she caught us watching Cinderella as kids—she hated anything that depicted Faeries in a positive light, fictional or not.

As they got closer, Dad scrutinized Cassidy’s tear-stained face. He stopped, hesitating only a moment before stalking toward the field, slow at first, then breaking into a sprint. The three of us girls watched him, astonished. I’d never seen him move so fast.

“Leon!” Mom shouted. The three of us ran after him, and others followed.

Dad caught up to the boys just before they got to the trees. He grabbed the back of Rock’s shirt and spun him around, pulling him so they were face-to-face. Dad’s biceps flexed with restrained fury. I had no idea his muscles were so big.

“Daddy, please!” Cassidy cried.

He gave the Clour a hard shake. “What did you do to my daughter?”

Rock’s mouth hung open, no noise escaping.

I chimed in, afraid for Rock. “They just broke up, Dad… they broke things off.”

Dad, keeping a tight hold on the boy, looked to Cassidy who nodded. Mom placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let him go, love.”

He snarled down at Rock, pulling his face a touch closer and whispered through clenched teeth. “You stay away from her. Do you hear me? Don’t come around here again until the summer is over and we’re half a world away.”

“Daddy!” Cassidy cried.

Rock swallowed and nodded, croaking, “Aye, sir. I’ll no’ bother her again.”

“Good.” Dad shoved him away.

Brogan stood next to him now, glowering at the Clourichaun who were rushing into the trees. A large group of villagers stood behind us, watching. McKale came to my side and took my hand.

We all looked at Cassidy. She let out a muffled choking sound and turned, pushing through the crowd, running back to the village.

Dad exhaled and rubbed his face. “I’m sorry about that, Brogan.”

“’Tis fine, sir. I cannot blame ye fer going after the bugger. We’ll see to it they don’t come back.”

“Thank you.”

Brogan looked hard at McKale. “I’m takin’ back the invitation I extended to ‘em for the binding ceremony. Understand?”

“Aye, Father.”

We walked back up to the field in silence, and McKale never let go of my hand. People dispersed into the clearing, whispering amongst themselves.

“I think I’ll call it an early night,” Dad said.

“I’ll be along,” Mom said. “I’m going to check on Cass first.”

He nodded. “Tell her… tell her I love her and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lose my temper, but I think there’s more to this story. Stuff I don’t even want to know.”

I dropped my gaze to the ground as Dad walked away. My heart thudded when Mom turned to face McKale and me.

“Robyn, what have your sister and that boy been up to?”

McKale looked away. I swallowed and whispered, “I…” I dropped my eyes.

She pressed fingertips to her temples, appearing even more anguished than she’d been when she broke the news to me about McKale’s heritage. “Never mind. I don’t need to hear it.”

“Oh, Cassidy Renee,” she whispered into the air. Her eyes watered. “Why must you learn everything the hard way?”

I squeezed McKale’s hand and released it. “You can go. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He left us.

I walked to my room with Mom at my side. Stress reverberated off her. Cassidy’s sobs were audible long before we got there. I was scared about what Mom planned to do. Would she yell at her and lecture her? Would she tell her what a foolish girl she was and how disappointed she was?

Nope. My parents were full of surprises tonight. Mom climbed straight into my sister’s bed and curled around Cassidy’s balled form. She whispered and smoothed her hair back from her face. Over and over she did this until Cass quieted, hiccupping for air every minute or so. I climbed into my own bed, but couldn’t relax as the minutes ticked by. Mom didn’t return to her own room until Cassidy was hard asleep.

I woke the next morning to the gentle shake of a hand on my shoulder.

“Robyn,” Cass whispered.

I sat straight up, slurring, “What’s wrong?”

“I woke up early and I can’t fall back asleep. I feel like I need to talk to Ronan about last night—”

“Cass!” I felt much more awake now. “Don’t you remember what he did?”

“Well, yeah.” She frowned. “But I think he was just trying to push me away because he knows I have to leave. I think he’s scared.”

I looked at the ceiling, gathering my thoughts. “Maybe he is, chickadee, but then again maybe he’s just a big, selfish jerk.”

“I don’t think so,” she said quietly. “He was drunk last night. I need to talk to him while he’s sober.”

The bad thing about romantics was they put themselves out there for heartbreak. I wished she’d guard her heart better, but it was hard to fault her trusting, loving nature.

“I’ll have McKale get a message to Rock today, okay? After last night I think it’d be bad for you to go after him.”

She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth. “Okay. But you have to find out from McKale exactly what Rock says and tell me.”

I let out another deep sigh. “Alright.”

She smiled and hopped up, digging through her bag for the day’s outfit as if yesterday hadn’t been the worst day of her life—as if Dad hadn’t gone ballistic on the guy she loved.

“Mom was really worried about you last night,” I said.

“Oh… yeah.” That stole a little of the hop from her step. “Do you think I’m in trouble?”

“No. I think now Mom’s stressed for both you and me.”

“I’ll go talk to her.” She bit her lip. “Maybe I can help you with the animals first?”

I admired her procrastination technique. “Sure.”