Sea Dweller (Birthstone Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

distracted so easily.” His ocean blue eyes sparkled and he swept
away a lock of hair that had fallen low over his forehead. At thirty six years
old, my dad was still one of the most fun loving and playful men I’d ever met.
It was easy to see why I related to him better than my mother. He always
managed to make me forget my problems and then re-address them when the time
was right. In that moment, looking at the mock arrogance in his expression was
almost like looking at a reflection of myself and it gave me comfort. I was
still his girl and I always would be.
    “You really shouldn’t talk
about family issues while using weapons,” I teased back. “It makes things too
personal and then what started as a practice sword fight could turn into a real
one.”
    “Are you threatening your old
Dad?” He laughed.
    “Hey, you started it. My
fingers will never be the same.”
    “Like your elbow last time?”
    “Yeah, something like that.”
I picked up my sword and dusted off some of the dirt. “So, back to the subject
. . .” my voice trailed off and I looked up slightly, trying not to appear too
eager.
    “What were we talking about
again?”
    “Dad!”
    “Oh, right!” He grinned,
glancing over at my mom who had moved on to the next bush. “Mom and I talked it
over. We don’t like the idea of you going to the festival and we still don’t
agree with most Vairdan beliefs, but if you really want to go, this year we’re
going to let you make that choice yourself.”
     I opened my mouth to babble
my thanks but he held up his hand to silence me. “We would still prefer you
avoided it. But we realize you have no other home or traditions to compare
Vairda’s with. It’s unfair of us to keep you from the customs of the only home
you’ve ever known.” He paused, his face turning sober. “If you choose to
attend, you’ll have a set curfew. We trust your intelligence enough to know
that you won’t believe every outrageous story told in the village square. If
you have questions about what you hear or see, you should come to us so we can
address them.”
    I nodded, dumbfounded. My
parents had never entertained the idea of attending the festival and tonight, I
was being offered the chance to go. Alone. It was almost too much to swallow.
    “But, why?” I choked out.
    Dad grimaced slightly, an
unusual expression for him. “Last night, you told your mother you aren’t a
child. To us, you still are. However, in the land we came from, children only a
year older than you are made warriors.” It was the most he’d ever said about
his homeland and I offered him my full attention. “I too was a young warrior
once.” Dad’s eyes darted to my mother and I saw her back stiffen as his words
penetrated her hearing. My skin prickled.
    “Will you tell me more about
our homeland? Please?”
    He blinked, an easy smile
whitewashing his features. “It’s not really important right now, Aylen. Sending
you off to this festival is already a bit much for us. Your mom and I need to
take this slowly.” Dad held out his arm and I jumped into it, accepting his
hug.
    “I understand,” I said, but
really, I didn’t. I only wished I could.
    I almost didn’t hear Mom
approach us carrying a large bowl of berries, her fingers stained a brilliant
pink. When I looked at her I was surprised to see the rims of her eyes were
nearly as red as the berries, whether from lack of sleep or crying, I wasn’t
sure.
    “Do you have a festival
costume?” she asked, propping the bowl on her hip. I cringed at the
helplessness in her tone.
    “Do I need one?” I reached
into the bowl and she moved her arm so I could choose the plumpest berries.
    “From what I understand, they
use costumes. I’m not sure if that still applies, though. I’ve only gone once
and you were just a baby.” Mom sighed at some memory.
    I thought for a moment before
asking, “Can I go to the river today? With all the women bathing for the
festival, maybe I can find someone