Branded: Beasts of Thiria: Book 1 by Kate Anna

Author:Kate Anna [Anna, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-07T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Alara

The night was frigid, as was usual, but the buzz and excitement of everything around warmed me. Musicians filled the streets - some looking to be not of Vesther. Their strange garments stood out as their troupes strummed stringed instruments, banged drums, and bellowed out forlorn tunes of a time long passed.

“Winter Solstice is one of the few times a year Vesther welcomes new visitors,” Titus explained, as if reading my mind. As we passed a group, he flipped a gold coin into an open basket, clinking as it joined the rest.

“Our mother used to sing us lullabies,” I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. I missed her sorely. Missed the way she fretted every time I left for a hunt and missed the way she insisted on feeding us her portion of rations even when her own hunger was evident. Guilt raised its ugly head and I prayed that they were safe.

Titus gave my hand a light squeeze, but didn’t reply.

We continued winding down the cheerful streets. The people seemed to stumble in shock at Titus’ sudden public appearance. Some dropped to their knees in a deep bow, while others bent their heads and didn’t raise them until after we passed. I couldn’t help but take a peek behind us to catch their expression. Their eyes were wide with wonder not only looking at me, but at the tender way he spoke to me and caressed me openly.

Making our way back to the market area that I had started to become familiar with, all the stalls were set up, illuminated by torches and soft lamplight. Titus watched patiently as I jumped from stall to stall, examining their goods and chatting up with the owners that I wanted to call my friends.

Their tongues seemed to get caught in their throats when they recognized the giant Dravna that loomed protectively behind me. He didn’t look menacing, but his brow was arched, as if daring to question.

When we reached Gdar’s stall, he received the same look but didn’t seem to mind. Boisterous as always, Gdar clasped my hand and pulled me in greeting. He smelled of leather and smoke. A little too close, according to Titus though, as the friendly contact provoked a snarl out of Titus.

“I hope you’re taking well to that dagger sheath you bought the—“ I cut him off with what I hoped was a deadly stare. He was going to ruin my surprise. I quickly tugged Titus’ arm to the next merchant before he started to question me, but he seemed satisfied just by my touch.

The next merchant, whom I didn’t recognize, looked to come from somewhere far away from Vesther. She was older, about my mothers age. While she was wrapped in a fur cloak like everyone else, underneath she was wrapped in layers of a fine cloth that shimmered and were decorated with beautiful threads and metals. What stood out more was the odd thin wisp of a veil that laid across her nose and was threaded in the back by tiny pearled beads.

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