On the Other Side
Outside, near the outer huts, Averin stood watching until Ardis disappeared from sight. She lifted her hand in a small wave, her expression unreadable.
Only when the girl was far enough did Averin turn back toward her own dwelling.
The moment she stepped inside, the air shifted.
"Who was it?" Averin asked calmly.
Her voice was not loud. It didn't need to be.
All six males inside fell silent.
The fire crackled softly in the center of the hut. The tension was thick enough to feel.
"My dear, you should not be angry. It is bad for your health," Zayreth said smoothly as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
His voice was light, teasing even.
Averin slowly turned her head to look at him.
Suspicion gleamed in her eyes.
"It wasn't me," Zayreth said immediately, shaking his head with a charming smile. His expression was innocent, but his eyes were watching everyone else carefully.
Averin studied him for a long moment before her gaze shifted past him.
"It was me," Korvahn said.
There was no hesitation in his voice.
Averin's eyes landed on him. She said nothing.
Instead, she walked forward and sat opposite him. Then she turned her face slightly to the side, chin lifted just enough to show her displeasure.
Her entire demeanor said: Coax me.
Zayreth leaned casually against a pillar, clearly entertained.
"She is angry with you," he commented, amusement threading through his tone.
Korvahn ignored him.
He rose from his seat and walked toward Averin slowly, deliberately. He stopped beside her, then lowered himself to sit close enough that their shoulders nearly touched.
"I was worried," Korvahn said quietly.
Averin did not look at him.
Her silence stretched.
Korvahn gently reached for her hand. She did not pull away—but she did not respond either.
"Ardis is young," he continued. "You have enemies. It is natural to be cautious."
Averin's lashes lowered slightly.
"Ardis is my niece," she finally said, her voice calm but firm. "And I like her. I do not want to frighten her."
Her words carried weight.
Korvahn's expression softened. He shifted closer and wrapped an arm around her carefully, as though approaching a wary queen.
"We won't do it again," he said.
Zayreth snorted softly from the side. "You won't do it again," he corrected lazily.
Korvahn shot him a warning look.
Then he turned back to Averin and leaned closer.
"Averin," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, "you look your best when you smile."
He placed a soft kiss against her lips.
The tension in the room eased just slightly.
Averin held his gaze for a moment longer before finally allowing the smallest smile to curve her lips.
Korvahn's expression brightened immediately.
As if prepared for this exact moment, he reached behind him and produced a small blue flower, fresh, delicate, its petals glowing faintly in the firelight.
"For the most beautiful," he said, offering it to her.
Zayreth raised a brow. "Prepared in advance. How shameless."
Korvahn ignored him again.
Averin accepted the flower, turning it slowly between her fingers. Her anger had softened, but it had not vanished entirely.
"It won't be so easy next time," she said calmly, lifting her eyes to look at all of them one by one.
Her gaze lingered briefly on Zayreth.
Then on the others.
It was not a threat.
It was a promise.
The males straightened instinctively.
None of them wished to test how far her patience truly extended.
Returning Back
By the time dawn arrived, Ardis had only just fallen asleep.
Her thoughts had chased one another endlessly through the night.
She finally drifted into shallow rest just as the first light brushed the horizon.
When she woke again, the sun had already risen. Her limbs felt heavier than usual, but she forced herself up. After washing and eating quietly, she made her way toward Sissira's hut.
The morning air was cool and crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant herbs. Villagers were already beginning their tasks, but Ardis kept her head lowered, her mind still fogged with sleep.
When she reached the hut, she saw Sissira sitting cross-legged near the entrance, eating calmly.
"Want some?" Sissira asked without looking up, as if she had sensed Ardis long before she arrived.
"No, I already ate, Grandma," Ardis replied politely.
Sissira finally looked at her, and her sharp eyes immediately narrowed with amusement.
"Didn't sleep?" she asked. "You have dark circles."
Ardis gave a small, embarrassed nod. She felt exposed under Sissira's gaze. It was useless trying to hide anything from her grandmother.
Sissira chuckled softly. "Thinking too much is a bad habit. Especially in this tribe."
Ardis sat down across from her, straightening her back.
"The candidates for your males have been chosen," Sissira said casually, as though discussing the weather. "They arrived last night. Averin will accompany you. Observe carefully. Do not rush your judgment."
Ardis felt her heartbeat quicken slightly.
Before she could respond, a familiar voice came from behind.
"Did you wait long?"
Averin entered the hut gracefully, sunlight catching along the curve of her hair. She wore a gentle smile, warm and approachable, so different from the calculating presence Aeron had described the night before.
"No, I just arrived," Ardis answered, standing slightly in respect.
Averin's gaze swept over her face, lingering for a moment on her tired eyes.
"You didn't sleep well," Averin said softly, not accusing, just observing.
Ardis hesitated before nodding.
Averin's smile deepened, but there was something knowing behind it. "Good. It means you are thinking."
Sissira snorted lightly. "Do not encourage her to overthink."
Averin ignored that and walked closer to Ardis, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Today is not about choosing immediately," Averin said. "It is about watching how they speak, how they stand. How they react when ignored."
Ardis looked up at her. "Ignored?"
"Yes," Averin replied calmly. "A male shows more truth when he feels unnoticed."
There was no cruelty in her tone, only experience.
"You are not selecting strength alone," Averin continued. "You are choosing stability. Pride can be dangerous," her eyes sharp.
Sissira finished her meal and stood. "Go. They are waiting near the eastern clearing."
Averin withdrew her hand but stayed close beside Ardis as they stepped outside.
The morning sun was higher now, warming the earth. In the distance, several figures could be seen standing apart from one another, tall silhouettes waiting in silence.
Ardis swallowed.
"This is only an observation," Averin reminded her gently. "You owe no one a smile or a promise. Let them try to earn your attention."
Ardis straightened her shoulders slightly.
With Averin walking calmly beside her, she began toward the clearing, toward the males who had been chosen.
The sun was fully risen now, bathing the clearing in pale gold light.
Five males stood apart from one another, tall silhouettes against the open ground.
They turned as Ardis approached.
Five pairs of eyes settled on her.
Her pulse quickened.
She instinctively glanced at Averin.
Averin gave her a small nod.