Free The Eden Series: The Complete Collection by Janelle Stalder Page B

her years. Not only that, but she also happens to be the best archer in the King’s army, and is a girl. You cannot keep her locked up forever. There are many men who are wait—”
    “Don’t say it,” he interrupted, holding up his hand. “I don’t want to hear it. Thankfully, she has a job to do tonight, so she won’t be walking the streets for too long.”
    “How convenient,” Jameson noted. Turk only smiled back at him.
    The streets were overflowing with people. Everyone laughed and shouted, filled with excitement and anticipation of what the night would bring. Every tavern in the city was full of patrons and music. The women were all dressed in their best gowns, their faces hidden by extravagant masks. Elisa’s mask wasn’t anything too special—she wasn’t one to be overly flashy. She was also wearing a dress that night, realizing that had she worn her usual pants and shirt, the people around her would know exactly who she was. Nobody would expect her to wear a gown like the other girls. It was tight and uncomfortable, and was quite an embarrassing exercise just to get into, but it seemed to be worth it. Her maid had laughed at her cursing while she tied her into it, but exclaimed at how good it looked on her when they were done. The best part was that no one seemed to know her! The dress was a deep green, which caused her eyes to look greener than they usually did. Her maid also helped to paint her face a little, but not too much. Her long golden hair was braided and pinned at the base of her head, a strand of pearls woven through the braid.
    Elisa wandered, enjoying the energy she could feel from the people. Everyone was carefree, if only for one night, and she loved that. Numerous men, and girls, had kissed her already, although just small pecks on the cheek, and one man had asked for her hand in marriage. He was in his sixties and stank of alcohol, so she had no choice but to refuse. He had no idea who she was, and clearly had not cared. Tonight was the night everyone was free to love whomever they wanted. Interestingly, she hadn’t seen Wolf around, not that she cared, but she had figured he would be using this night to its full advantage. Actually, now that she thought about it, that was probably exactly why she hadn’t seen him yet.
    She came upon a large group of people, all of them singing a song at the top of their lungs. They looked like a rowdy group, so Elisa quickly ducked into the nearest tavern to avoid passing them. The place was full, and smelled of alcohol and sweat. Three men were on a makeshift stage, playing a song for the crowd, which was cheering them on in return. One sat playing a small stringed instrument, while the other blew expertly into a flute. The singer’s voice wove through the notes as if they had been written for each other. Clearly, they were a well-established trio, probably in town only for the festival, since she had never seen them before.
    Waitresses weaved their way through the crowd, carrying trays of drinks expertly over their heads. Elisa had never had a drink before, and wasn’t about to that night. She still needed to go to the witch’s house. Her mind had to be clear and alert. Instead, she decided to stay simply to enjoy the music, even without alcohol.
    Walking around the bar, she observed everyone silently, taking in the frenzy that was the spring festival. It was the first one her father had allowed her to go out for … well, that she had insisted she go out for. He had originally refused, but gave up. He knew better than to argue with her for long—she always won. Besides, many girls her age went out for spring festival, so it hadn’t made sense that she wouldn’t be allowed. The only thing she prayed for, was that she wouldn’t run into him that night. The amount of embarrassment that would cause them both would be immense, especially if her father was with a woman. He hadn’t dated anyone she knew of after her mother died, but she assumed he