Read Online Sea Dweller (Birthstone Series) by Melanie Atkinson - Free Book Online

searching the
countless faces. When they rested on me, her lips curled into a satisfied
sneer. Willing my face to remain emotionless, I glanced at Haji to see if she’d
noticed Corla’s expression. She looked back at me to offer a reassuring smile
but before it could reach her eyes, it had already melted from her lips.
    “Your hair!” Haji hissed
under her breath, her fingers flying up to fumble with a black lock of hair
rebelliously fluttering outside of my scarf.
    I blindly wrestled with the
fabric on my head while Haji worked to tuck the strands away but I knew it was
too late. I glanced up, my eyes meeting Faema’s. She offered me a brazen smirk
and her eyes danced with the flickering light of the torches. Corla grinned
smugly beside her as all my hopes of remaining undiscovered sank to the bottom
of the ocean. Faema had recognized me.

 
    Chapter 5
     
    With a sigh, I gripped the
soft fabric of the scarf in my hands and ripped the headpiece away. The azure
stone fell to the ground with a sorry little plunk. Ignoring the growing stares
of other festival goers, I pulled the ties from my hair, allowing the unmistakable
black waves to cascade past my shoulders and down my back where they mingled
with the green vines. There was no use in hiding anymore. Now that Faema knew
the truth, it would be no time before everyone else knew as well. I
straightened my shoulders and stared forward with as much dignity as possible.
    Haji squeezed my arm to
reassure me, but I hardly noticed. I was too absorbed waiting for Faema’s
reaction. So far, she hadn’t done much other than grin as though she’d just
been given the gift of a lifetime.
    Small gasps escaped from the
lips of people who now recognized me but I tried not to listen to them.
Instead, I trained my eyes on the man walking down the row of girls, a wooden
crown decorated with colorful rocks and pebbles in his hands. Nobody seemed
surprised when he stopped in front of Faema and placed it on her head. Proudly,
she stepped forward, her eyes leaving my face for only a moment. Then, with
feigned humility, she bowed to her audience while the islanders responded with
enthusiastic cheers.
    The other girls filed back
into the audience while Sai left the crowd and joined Faema. When he reached
her side, she wrapped her arm through his. He remained perfectly still, rigid
but dutiful, and completely unaware that I was watching him from the crowd
below. Faema wasted no time. A moment later, she turned to him, wrapped her
arms around his neck, and lifted her lips to his. Sai’s eyes widened in
surprise and I waited for him to push Faema away.
    But he never did.
    The islanders’ cheers
exploded as he kissed her back.
     My heart collided with my
stomach and I nearly doubled over as the faces surrounding me began to mutate
into yelling, shapeless blobs. I gripped Haji’s arm for support and stared at
the ground, trying to catch my breath. I ignored the curious glances from
nearby onlookers, knowing they would wonder how I’d be affected by Sai’s sudden
interest in Faema’s lips. It had always been an island phenomenon that Sai had
chosen my company over anyone else’s.
    Haji put her arm around my
shoulders and began to shove her way through the crowd, aiming for the fringe
of forest bordering the village. Before we could go very far, Faema’s voice
brought us to a halt. My brain yelled at me to flee but my feet stayed rooted
to the ground. My desire for another reason to despise Faema overrode all
logic.
    “I am so honored to be
crowned Vairdan princess this year,” she announced, her fingers stroking Sai’s
arm as though it was her new pet. “I don’t think I could ask for a more perfect
evening. Not only do I have the support of my fellow islanders, and the love
and devotion of my dearest friend, Sai, but I also have a very close friend
here tonight who I was not expecting. I’m so pleased she came to celebrate with
us, to support me in my joy, to offer her happiness in