Dreams and Shadows (The Aylosian Chronicles Book 1) by Jeffrey Collyer Page B

seeking him confusion or harm. But she explained that their books were very precious to them and they would not allow one who was new to their number to peruse them. The answer hadn’t surprised him, but he was disappointed nonetheless, and his mood remained sombre until after lunch.
    Aneh had brought some more hettlesip fruit to conclude their early afternoon meal, and the sweet juices lifted his spirits somewhat. “You’re right,” he said, “these are delicious. Are they really the best things in Aylosia?” he asked.
    For the first time since their meeting with Devu, she smiled as she responded, “I said they were the best fruit in Aylosia, and I believe that is true by far; but there are other things of which you will learn that I think you will find even better.”
    His question had seemed to provide a distraction to her and her smile became more natural, the dimple again showing in her cheek. It reminded Michael that although they were barely more than strangers, he liked this woman, and his mind was drawn again to the words of Devu.
    “So are you and Devu engaged?” he asked, trying to sound casual.
    He was avoiding her gaze, so he didn’t see the puzzled look on her face as she responded. “I do not know what that means,” she said.
    “He said that you were his Promised.”
    “I am not his Promised,” she quickly replied. She had said it with a strength that made him look at her.
    “Devu and I have been friends since our childhood,” she went on, “and he would like for us to be Entwined. It would also be well-received in the Waylet: we both have mothers who are of the Lora, and I spoke truly when I said that Devu was a great Sword Weaver – perhaps he will be the greatest we have known in a generation.”
    It was now Aneh’s turn to look away; to avoid another’s eyes as she spoke, “But though I cherish him as a friend, I could not Entwine with him.”
    Michael had never known anyone, let alone a woman, relate to him such personal feelings before, and his mood improved further with both the fact that she had done so, and that she had refuted Devu’s claim to her.
    But Aneh had grown sombre again, and he was sorry to have asked a question that had caused such a change in her emotions, so he tried to move the subject on, “I still don’t understand a lot of the words you use.” He smiled, hoping it would make her more comfortable again as he continued, “I’ve never heard of being Entwined. Where I come from, when a man and a woman who love each other decide they want to make a commitment, they will get engaged. And then they’ll get married. I guess that’s kind of like promising that they will stick by each other even when things get bad I think.”
    He was sure he hadn’t explained it very well, but hoped it was good enough. “Is that a bit like being Entwined?” he asked.
    Her head inclined to one side as she looked at him – already a mannerism that Michael would recognise as distinctly hers – thinking before she responded.
    Finally, she spoke. “You do not Entwine?” she enquired.
    At Michael’s puzzled expression, she continued, suddenly looking intense, “Entwining is more than the making of a promise. It surpasses the greatest commitment. To Entwine with another is to join your very souls together; to weld them such that your very existence can no longer be imagined without the other.   Even when you are apart, you feel your beloved’s presence, and sense their emotions. Once Entwined, your very being changes. Your souls are truly woven together in a way that they can never be unwoven.”
    Michael had seen girls and women speak of marriage in his own world. He had seen their eyes go dreamy at the thought of white flowing dresses; of kissing their Prince Charming at church altars, or whatever location they might deem most romantic. But he had always sensed that such expressions were longings for the trappings of a wedding, or the unrealistic expectations for the perfect