Stella and Sol by Kimberly Loth

Author:Kimberly Loth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kimberly Loth

Chapter Thirty-Four

THE OLD MOTHER

The bell rang, and Ari gave Zwaantie up to a man with horns growing out of his head. As the night wore on some people disappeared behind closed doors. Others lounged on couches and chairs that were spread out around the edge of the dance floor.

The illusions were starting to wear off. Zwaantie could see the tiger still had a tail, but his face was beginning to resemble a man. Sage danced with a blue man, and her wings were gone, and Zwaantie’s body was fighting to stay awake. She spotted an open cushion and decided that maybe she’d go sit for a while, but Ari caught her arm.

“Last dance?”

Zwaantie smiled and nodded. The music was slow and soft. The incessant beating of the drums had stilled, leaving only several pianos playing a haunting melody. Ari pulled her close to his body, and his heart beat against hers. It struck Zwaantie again how odd it was to be so close to someone who weeks ago she would’ve considered naked, even though he was wearing pants.

Ari bent his head down to Zwaantie’s ear and whispered. “Tell me a secret.”

This again. Oh well, at least now she was prepared. “I don’t want to go back to Sol. I want stay here. Forever.”

He grinned. “Why don’t you?”

“Because I have a country to run. I will be queen.”

He was quiet for a few minutes.

“Your turn,” Zwaantie said. “I want a secret from you.”

This time he didn’t lean down to whisper. He didn’t have to. The music had faded to nearly nothing, and they were almost alone on the dance floor. He looked Zwaantie straight in the eyes, and she was startled by how bright they were.

“When people take Glow, they glow yellow. I asked Sage what color you were because I was having trouble believing it. She said you were yellow.”

“That’s not a secret.”

Ari leaned closer so that his nose practically touched hers. “But I don’t see yellow. For me, you glow pink.”

He leaned down, and Zwaantie knew he was about to kiss her. She wanted this kiss, and yet she didn’t.

“You’re my soul mate,” he breathed against her lips.

Zwaantie tightened her grip on him, knowing she was about to delve into something she shouldn’t. Something forbidden.

Someone grabbed her shoulder and whipped her around. An old woman glowered at her. She had a weather-beaten face and wore an old tattered coat. Zwaantie squinted.

“Wilma?”

She cackled. “You never learn, do you girl?”

“Excuse me?”

Ari gripped Zwaantie’s arm and pulled her close to him. “That’s the Old Mother,” he hissed.

“No. That’s Wilma, the midwife in Sol.”

Wilma closed the distance. Zwaantie looked around. No one else seemed to notice the intruder.

“You’re both correct. Shame I’m bound by prophecy at the moment, or you’d be dead.”

Wilma’s eyes had taken on a cold glare. Zwaantie still wasn’t sure what was going on.

“I…I don’t understand.”

Wilma gave her a sugary smile. “Tell me, how do you feel about Prince Leo?”

“We’re in love. Everyone knows that.”

“Don’t lie to me, girl.” Wilma took a step toward her.

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