Page 72 of When Eden Falls

He peered into his drink and grimaced. “I think I’ll pass this time.” He went to place his unfinished glass on the table when an Akquarian female snatched the glass out of his hand. The shock on Rooke’s face was quickly replaced with intrigue when she said in a strong accent, “Neb, neb. Not yours.”

I watched her grab a blue drink from further up the table. Returning, she offered it to Rooke. She pointed to him and the drink. Then pointed at herself, to me, and the pink drink I was holding.

Rooke nodded in understanding and sipped the blue concoction, albeit sceptically. He raised his eyebrows in surprise, sending a charming smile her way. “That’s much better. Thank you.”

Fluttering her eyelashes, she gave Rooke a dashing smile, before she graciously bowed her head and walked away. Sipping on his new beverage, Rooke tracked her sensual movement as she glided towards the crowd. I frowned, watching him soak up the sight of her enchanting body, draped in thin turquoise chiffon, leaving barely anything to the imagination.

“Hey.” I clicked my fingers at him, failing to keep the green-eyed monster at bay. “You can’t chastise Oz if you’re gonna drool after pretty Akquarians yourself.”

He snapped his head to me. “I was simply admiring.”

“Drooling.”

“Admiring.”

“So, tell me,” the spite in my tone was a little too obvious, “is she beautiful or just flaunting it?”

He stared in her wake. I assumed he was conjuring up some kind of witty response, but instead he downed the rest of his drink, gave me a hard look, and placed his glass on the table behind me. “What’s up with you?” his voice was quiet, intimate. “Can you not take my jokes anymore?”

I shrugged, glancing around the vicinity. Rooke leant back against the table next to me. “I’m sorry,” he said, leaning closer. “I’ve always bantered with you. I forget you’ve been through a lot recently.” His eyes flicked to my neck, regret filling them. I knew what he was thinking. He blamed himself for everything.

I bumped his shoulder with mine. “I’d be worried if you didn’t banter with me.”

He bumped mine back. “So would I.” His smile was genuine but unwontedly distant.

A low, grumbling buzz ripped through the air, sending everyone into a hushed silence. All heads turned towards the stone staircase. There, at the very top, standing on the edge of the upper balcony, was Havav dressed in an elaborate white suit andturquoise cape, with an entourage of pristinely dressed Akquarians behind him. A female, dressed in a flowing white and gold gown held onto his arm as they began to descend the steps. Havav waved his hand towards the musicians, commanding them to play on.

“Damn it,” Rooke said to himself. I glanced at him. He was scanning the crowd.

“What is it?”

“The female with Havav.” He nodded in her direction. “That’s Oonla. I’m worried what Oz is going to do.” He walked forward, trying to find a better viewpoint. I remained at his side, also scouring the crowd for our friend and colleague.

“Is he really that smitten with her?”

“He’s like a lovesick puppy. I haven’t seen him like this since…well, in all the years I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him like this. He’s usually so calm and cool with the ladies.”

Glancing at the steps, I watched Havav give Oonla a doting smile, placing his hand over hers on his arm. “Why is Oonla on Havav’s arm?”

“She must be his daughter. Havav told me yesterday, he’ll be arriving this evening with his children.”

Running my eye over those following behind them, I realised she was the only female in Havav’s entourage.

If Oonla was Havav’s daughter, she was most likely seen as a sacred princess—cherished and admired. But what I couldn’t understand was why she’d been Oz’s nurse? A faint recollection of what Yuska had told me whirled around my mind. She had said the Akquarian females could choose whatever occupation they wanted to follow, whereas the males were assigned to theirs. Did that apply to Oonla as well? It must have. It seemed she was the daughter of their esteemed leader, a chaperon, and a healer.

“There you are, you big oaf.” I followed Rooke’s line of sight to the top of the upper balcony. Oz was perched on the balcony wall, watching the Akquarian leader escort his stunning daughter down the steps into the thick of the congregation.

“Perhaps Oz should have the rules reiterated to him,” I suggested.

“Oh definitely. Especially now. I doubt Havav would welcome Oz’s attention towards his blessed daughter.” He looked at me, squeezing my hand. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

I gave him a small smile and watched him disappear amongst the mass of towering Akquarians. I glanced back to Oonla and Havav as they finished their descent, submerging into the sea of bodies.

The musicians resumed playing. Their melody had altered to a less tranquil tune. It was still soothing, perhaps slightly haunting, but it held a more rhythmic sound. A primal sound, if such existed.

The large floor space within the circle of blossoming trees had emptied, and a few Akquarians were venturing into the area to dance. Some as a couple, some in small groups of females, some on their own. And as I watched the Akquarians twirl and sway in unison, a figure on the opposite side caught my attention…

Dybgo.