The Rare Pearl (Broken Water Series Book 1) by Jennifer W. Smith

Author:Jennifer W. Smith [Smith, Jennifer W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Apple House Publishing
Published: 2016-03-07T06:00:00+00:00

17

In the dining hall, Harmony arched her neck to take in the impressive vaulted roof. Electric chandeliers and sconces illuminated the gigantic room. Extensive trestle tables stretched the length of the room and several hundred people were seated. The wall of arched windows faced west. The sinking sun, now below the tree line, cast the sky in hues of pink and purple. Nakoma walked behind seated guests, bidding them good evening and good health. Harmony and Catori followed Nakoma until they reached the center dais, where a circular table was raised above the others. There sat Binda, Rio, and Kodiak, all seeming relieved to see Harmony.

Nakoma swung her arm up toward the center platform. “Please have a seat at my table. I will join you shortly.”

Earlier, Harmony was allowed to choose a dress. She selected the one with the most fabric. The soft cloth hitched over one shoulder and clung to her form before it reached her thighs. Amadahy wrapped a beaded belt adorned with small animal tails around her slim waist. A headband with delicate feathers pushed the hair off her forehead. Harmony was surprised her friends wore plain, comfortable tunics. She didn’t like this game Nakoma was playing with her.

Kodiak straightened in his chair at the sight of her.

Harmony climbed the few steps onto the platform. Rio saved her a seat between Kodiak and himself. Seated, she noticed Catori slip into the chair on the other side of Kodiak, playfully bumping his shoulder in greeting. Harmony tore her gaze away, not wanting to watch Kodiak charm the tribeswoman. Instead, she observed Nakoma, who continue to stroll past each table, greeting everyone and stopping briefly to talk to those who flagged her down, her popularity among the crowd evident.

Harmony wrapped her arms around her stomach and leaned back against her chair. Her belly knotted in anticipation of what she needed to tell her friends. It was confess or drown—would they understand?

“Are you okay?” Rio leaned over, speaking quietly.

Harmony noted Kodiak kept Catori busy with conversation so she quickly whispered in Rio’s ear, “She knows I’m from the other realm. She wasn’t surprised and she even asked me to consider staying here in this city. I’m sorry I told her, Rio, but she held me under the water… She is manipulative and dangerous.”

Rio clasped her hand under the table and gave it a gentle squeeze. He leaned over to repeat Harmony’s words to Binda. Binda crossed her arms, scowling at her.

On the surface this tribal community seemed hospitable, but Harmony wasn’t blind to the underlying pulse that made them more like humans. For now, the four of them had to play the role of polite guests. As Nakoma approached, Harmony took a deep breath, adjusting her expressions to reflect that role.

Nakoma took her place on the dais, which signaled the servers to place platters of roasted meats and vegetables on the table, offering their chieftain the first serving.

Harmony’s mouth watered. She lived off fish and vegetables for the last week and this smelled heavenly.

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