Destiny's Awakening

1. ONE

ONE

BEFORE THE ASCENSION

On the morning of my twenty-first birthday, I woke to the soft light of predawn filtering through my curtains. I easily slipped into my routine of dressing, eating a simple meal, then heading outside to attend to my chores. As always, my sisters were there with me.

It promised to be a pleasant, warm day in our little piece of the valley of Granger Falls.

I only half-heartedly listened to Violet and Zinna's excited chatter about the celebrations our parents—Calla and Samson Legarian—had planned for my birthday. I'd never understood the fanfare surrounding birthdays. It was just another day, after all, but Mama liked a party, so I would not spoil her fun.

"Do you think Mama will let us go with you to pick up your dress?" Zinnia mused, leaning against a post, her hazel eyes lighting up.

Violet overturned the slop bucket into the pig's feeding trough. "It would certainly be more fun than staying here all afternoon."

I pretended to mull it over, pursing my lips as I emptied my bucket of kitchen scraps, mostly to ruffle Zinnia. Violet smirked approvingly, both of us tracking how long it took before Zinnia couldn't take my silence any longer.

"Aster, please!" she pleaded, brushing a red curl from her brow.

"We'll need to finish before I ask."

Zinnia squealed loud enough to send the pigs skittering away and threw herself at me. I allowed it, but pushed her off a moment later, nudging her toward the sheep pen as a reminder that we still had chores to finish.

We finished our chores in record time, spurred on by the potential of escaping the farm for the afternoon. We headed straight to Mama's herb garden, finding her tucked in among the beds, carefully pulling weeds and taking what she'd need for dinner tonight. Zinnia and Violet's bickering caught her attention, and she looked up at us with the warmest smile. "Finished with your chores already?"

I nodded. "Would it be alright if Vi and Zin went with me to the village?"

"Fine by me," she answered. "Check with your father, though. Never know what that one will get up to if he's unsupervised too long."

Zinnia bounced on her toes, practically floating with excitement, not affected one bit when Violet nudged her with an elbow. I leaned in to drop a kiss on Mama's cheek, thanking her. My sisters followed suit before we turned for the barn where we knew we'd find Papa. Inside, Zinnia went straight to our old plow horse's stall, offering him an apple.

Papa's head poked up over the top of a stable door; one of our mares had kicked a hole in during a recent storm. "What mischief are you three up to now?"

His eyes went over my shoulder to Violet, who was smiling innocently, hands folded behind her back. I shot her a glare, telling her to stop. She rolled her eyes, but dropped her shoulders and trudged over to join Zinnia.

"I need to go into the village to pick up my dress. I was thinking Vi and Zin could join me. If you don't need any help, that is."

Zinnia skipped up to my side, linking her arm through mine. "Please, Papa."

Papa melted under the force of her sweet smile. "Did you ask your mother?"

"Of course," Zinnia chirped, still clinging to my arm.

"I don't see why not."

Zinnia was already hugging him, planting a kiss on his cheek. Violet, for her part, simply said, "Thank you, Papa."

Then, together, they headed for the house.

"Are you sure you don't want to go by yourself, Aster?" His amber eyes softly searched my face, knowing how rarely I got time to myself. "I can find something to keep your sisters busy."

I considered it for only a moment, but dismissed it. A trip to the village wasn't something we got to do often, and I was sure my sisters would appreciate a break in routine just as much as I would.

Papa scrutinized me briefly when I assured him I wanted their company, then dropped a kiss on the top of my head and shooed me away.

Later, I questioned my confidence as we walked along the dirt road toward the village, and Violet said, "Mama told me the Weavers are coming to your party."

If it had come from anyone else, it would have been an innocent observation. But from Violet, who liked to poke and prod until her target caved, it had me on guard.

"Oh? That's nice."

"It will be nice to see Jacob, will not it?" she asked.

"Of course," I agreed amicably, then added, "He's a good friend."

The Weavers were our neighbors and our parents' closest friends. They had three boys, only one of whom, Jacob, still lived at home. It had been Mama's and Mrs. Weaver's favorite notion that Jacob and I would someday marry, finally joining our families "officially". Another thing Vi loved to tease me about.

"Only a friend?" Violet questioned, flicking her raven hair over her shoulder.

I didn't take the bait, prompting Zinnia to bump into me. "I always thought you two were cute together."

A sigh whooshed out of my lungs. "I don't know."

I paused, pulling my thoughts together. "He's sweet and handsome..."

"But?"

We won't make each other happy. If I stay in this valley, I'll feel trapped. I want more.

Of course, I said none of those things to my sisters. It would only lead to more questions I didn't want to answer.

"But I think we're only meant to be friends."

I hoped my sisters would leave it at that and not push for more.

Thankfully, we'd made it to the outskirts of the village, and the conversation shifted to the treats my sisters wanted to buy during our visit and away from my love life.