Chapter 3

I was irritated by the prospect of my father removing me from such an important meeting. Yes, one of the reasons I wanted to stay was because of Calian. Okay, so maybe it was the main reason I wanted to stay after all! Even though I had more than enough legal authority to remain at the meeting, my simple query immediately informed my father that I was interested in more than just the reasons for the new tribe's presence. In this instance, there was no "me getting ready for the wedding." The entire event would be planned by the tribe, and all I had to do was sit back and wait until it was time to say, "I do."

Traveling down the dirt route leading out of the village and west to the lake helped me to relieve my frustration. I managed to escape anyone's gaze for a while, which saved me from snapping at someone. After passing the final cabin, the dirt route came to an end. Now it was time to walk barefoot along the soft grass, passing a dense stand of oak trees. The simple act of wandering through the woods was enough to lift my spirits. The beauty of nature could be found in all its forms when people were not around.

Robins' chirps alerted me that I was coming close, and I felt increasingly agitated. I continued sprinting the remainder of the distance until the scent of water filled my nostrils and muck pressed between my toes at the shore of the lake. I yearned for this lake more than I yearned for my life at home. It was a spot where I could get away from everyone and no one would try to look for me. The desire of everyone in the tribe to remain and carry out their responsibilities prevented them from exploring the world around them, but it didn't deter me from exploring the world around me. I wanted to learn more about this planet and not just about the place where I was confined.

I double-checked to make sure there was no one else in the vicinity just in case. As soon as I was certain that I was alone, I pulled off my dress and underwear and waded across a shallow stretch of lake until the water level reached my chest. The dead skin over my shoulders was being nibbled at by minnows as a fish breezed by my leg. The water was chilly but not frigid, and you could generally see all the way to the bottom of the lake. After I had passed through, the sand from the bottom of the lake had risen to the surface, causing the water to become hazy around me, concealing my body.

My body ascended and rested on the surface of the water as I let the air in me float. My hair was immersed in the cold water as I lay back and closed my eyes, allowing the sounds of nature to fill my brain with peace and tranquility. The churning of the water, the chattering of the birds, and the rustling of the leaves soothed my nerves. I detected a faint whiff of pine tucked away among the oak trees, as well as an unexpected perfume of maple. Springtime in the woods usually brought out the nicest fragrances, but I wasn't aware that we had any maple trees in the area.

“Well, I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen such a beautiful sight before.” A familiar voice shouted, scaring me.

Screaming, I sank back into the water and wrapped myself with my arms. The short-haired man caught my attention as I looked about in search of the source of the strange voice.

“Wha… what are you doing out here!?” I shouted.

Calian chuckled. “I was heading back to camp. Couldn’t stop myself from sidetracking when I heard the robins.”

“You shouldn’t be over here.” I sneered and averted my gaze from him.

He strolled along the bank, never taking his eyes from me. “Didn’t know this was your territory.”

“It’s not…” I stuttered, meeting his green beauties.

Reaching my discarded clothes, he bent down and retrieved my underwear. Holding them up with his index, he smirked. “You are bold to swim with no clothes.”

“That is completely inappropriate. Please do not touch my things!” I screeched.

“Forgive me.” He said, dropping them. “Can I join you?”

Calian tugged his shirt off, exposing a muscular abdomen with a scar the shape of a circle near his heart.

“No, you cannot join me.” I managed to shout back.

Leaving his brown pants on, he waded towards me. “I wasn’t asking for permission. More like, a warning that I was going to join you.” He winked.

“How dar….”

He held up a hand, cutting me off. “You can always get out and leave, but then, I’ll see you naked. Again.”

“Just… Just stay over there… Okay?” I begged.

Calian came to a complete halt, a wide smile across his face. Not a grin that might be seen as a sign of contentment. It seemed more like something you'd see on a predator getting ready to jump onto its victim than anything else.

“I’ll stay over here. Can we talk?” He asked, 5 feet from me.

“Do I have a choice?” I spewed.

He chuckled again and shook his head. “No, no you do not.”

I splashed at him angrily. “What do you want to discuss?”

Raising his brow in a warning, he questioned me. “You are marrying that man, Ahiga, of your choosing?”

“Is that any of your business?” I asked.

“It might be.” He answered, crossing his arms.

The water did not cover his chest all the way like it did mine due to his height.

“It is not what I wish, but it is my duty to the tribe.” I answered him, giving in.

“So, you do not love him?” He asked.

“No.” I responded and glanced down at the water.

He took a step closer. “You know, I could find a way to prevent the wedding from happening tomorrow.”

I eyed him again. “I told you not to come closer.”

He raised his hands up in defense. “Sorry, sorry.”

“How would you prevent the wedding?” I asked, curiously.

“I have ways, but if I told you, you would be an accomplice and I can’t do that to you.”

“Why would you offer it at all?” I questioned him.

Dragging his hand through the water, he studied me as he decided how to answer.

“I’m not one to enjoy the forceful tribe laws on others.”

“Will harm come to anyone?”

He shook his head and smirked. “No, not unless you want that to happen.”

Not believing he could do anything to stop my betrothal, I cleared my head. “I do not want to get married to him, but I also do not believe you, an outsider, could do anything to stop it. Thank you for the thoughtfulness.”

Calian shrugged and turned away as he began to exit the lake the way he came in. “Seeing is believing, I get it. As a prepayment, I’ll take something of yours.”

“Something of mine?”

He reached the shore and pulled his shirt back on. “Yes, something of yours.” Peeking over at me, a sly smile formed on his face as he bent over my clothes and retrieved my panties again. “I’ll take this.”

“Wait!” I shouted.

Winking at me, he took off running into the woods. “If you can catch me, you can have them back.” He yelled.

I pouted as the thought of running after him with no time to get dressed, played out in my head.

“What a jerk!” I shouted back but he was already gone.