Ever by Gail Carson Levine Read Free Book Online Page B

young man has been begging to be introduced to you.” I see she is proud of herself for bringing him. “He says you are the most beautiful girl here.”
    He puts his fist to his forehead to show his respect. “Anywhere,” he says. The fellow kicks slaves, but he is gallant.
    Kezi bows her head briefly. I think she doesn’t like him either or she would smile.
    â€œKezi, daughter of Senat and Merem, meet Elon, nephew of Ibal and Gazu.”
    He is the man she might have married!
    â€œAre you enjoying the wedding, Kezi?”
    â€œI’m happy for Belet and Uncle Damki.”
    Aunt Fedo cocks her head. “My rabbit ears hear my name.” She takes two figs from a bowl on the sweets table and gives one to Kezi and one to Elon. “Soon dates and barley,” she says, smiling conspiratorially at each of them. Then she leaves.
    Gallant again, Elon offers his fig to Kezi. She jumps away as if the fig were a scorpion. “I hate figs.” She gives hers to him and wipes her hands against each other.
    He eats the figs quickly, seeming to swallow them whole, as a wolf swallows a sand rat.
    The singer starts to wail again, and the musicians to play.
    â€œWill you walk with me?” He gestures down the dark avenue, away from the crowd and the torches.
    â€œNo, thank you.”
    â€œThere is nothing wrong in it. Your aunt Fedo said your esteemed pado will speak with me.”
    Her shoulders go up. I think that if she had wings, she would leap into flight. She says nothing.
    â€œCome, I beg of you. I prayed to Admat that you would come.”
    She nods.
    They walk. It is a black night with no moon, but I cansee them. Kezi’s step is graceful. She dances even when she walks.
    He adds, “Thanks to Admat.”
    â€œAs he wishes, so it will be.”
    They fall silent, but there is a little drama in the way they walk. He tries to stay close to her side. She zags away. He zigs near again. They began in the middle of the avenue but swerve toward the wall.
    I have piled dishes long enough. I take the broom again. Making silent sweeping motions an inch above the ground, I follow Kezi and Elon. In a moment I am beyond the dim torchlight. My low wind lifts me so my feet are silent too.

18

    KEZI
    E LON SAYS, “Your necklace is superb.”
    I dislike even his whispery voice.
    He adds, “It would befit a bride.”
    I laugh. I’m wearing it because I never will be a bride.
    â€œDid I offend you?” He sounds offended.
    I swallow my laughter. “No. It was nothing. I’m sorry.”
    â€œI meant my bride. Your mati shouldn’t have let you wear it on a lesser occasion. It should be kept safe.”
    I don’t answer. He stops walking. I turn, wondering why.
    His hands grasp my shoulders. “I would hate to offend you.”
    I try to shrug him off, but his grip is firm. I pull back and feel the wall behind me.
    â€œIf we are almost betrothed, I can kiss you. When I watched you dance . . .” The dark oval of his head comes at me. I can barely make out his parted lips, the faint gleam of his teeth.
    I shout for help, but I’m sure we’re too far away for me to be heard. I cry, “Admat!”
    One of his hands lets go of my shoulder and presses onthe back of my head. His teeth clink against mine. His breath smells sour.
    Then his mouth is gone. His hands are gone. A wind blows along the avenue. I wrap my shawl around me to keep it from flying away. Two figures are struggling.
    Elon groans. I hear a thump. The wind dies. One of the figures is at my side, taller than Elon. In the dark I can’t tell if I recognize him. Too late I think of running.
    â€œMistress . . .” The voice is hardly louder than a whisper, but it’s deep and it seems to echo. “Pardon me.” He has an accent. His p sounds like a b. Bardon me . I don’t know anyone who speaks with an accent. “Did he hurt you?”
    â€œNo.