Alora: The Wander-Jewel (Alora Series Book 1) by Tamie Dearen

twisted to the side, disbelief written all over his face.
    Kaevin pushed his long hair back with his left hand, as his face reddened.
    “Yeah, they changed the dress code this year,” Wesley offered. “You can even grow a beard if you want to. But no tattoos or face piercings.”
    “Is that so?” Charles sat back in his chair with his arms crossed, regarding Kaevin with suspicion.
    Alora felt her palms sweating and her heart pounding.
    “Kaevin?” Charles waited for Kaevin to look up from his plate and make eye contact.
    “Yes sir?” Kaevin swallowed and the muscles tightened in his jaw.
    “You have a very unusual eye color.”
    “Do you truly think so? Where I come from, it’s a quite common color.”
    “In Scotland?” Charles clarified.
    “Uhmm... yes, sir,” mumbled Kaevin, as his eyes dropped down to his plate.
    “Because I’ve only seen eyes that color once before in my lifetime. It was a young woman... named Wendelle.”
    Kaevin’s jaw dropped open as he gaped at Charles with wide eyes. Alora squeezed his hand in a silent, but futile, warning. Finally responding to the pressure, he glanced toward her. She gave her head a tiny shake and tried to communicate without speaking. He dropped his eyes back to his plate.
    “Alora, can I please talk to you in the other room? Privately?” Her uncle’s voice brooked no argument.
    “Uhmm, I can’t let go—”
    “I’m afraid you’ll have to forfeit your game,” he insisted as he pushed his chair back and rose from the table, tossing his napkin onto his chair. He stomped toward the living room, without bothering to wait for her.
    “What should I do?” she whispered.
    “We could try letting go,” suggested Kaevin. “Perhaps it’s been long enough.”
    “Okay.” She held her breath as she released his hand, but nothing seemed to happen. No pain. She relaxed at his reassuring smile.
    “Great. I’ll be right back.” She ran to find her uncle.
     
    “Alora. What’s going on here? Who is this Kaevin? Is he the same boy who frightened you in your bathroom? Does he have something to do with your mother?”
    “No, I met him a few days ago. He’s too young to have known my mother.”
    “Why do I feel like there’s something fishy about this whole thing? Are you trying to date this boy? Because I think I’ve been quite clear about the age rule, and I find it hard to believe he’s only sixteen.”
    “He looks older than he is. People always think I’m older, too, just because I’m tall.” Alora frowned at the pain behind her eyes.
    “Alora!” Beth’s voice called from the other room.
    “Just a minute!” she called back, her hand rising to rub her temple.
    “Even if he’s sixteen, that doesn’t mean I approve of you dating him. I want to meet his parents. I want to know a little bit more about him.”
    Alora felt tears spring to her eyes and tried to ignore her throbbing forehead. “That’s fine, Uncle Charles. We’re not dating, but I do like him. I think you’ll like him too, once you get to know him. But please—”
    “Alora! I think you need to come now,” cried Beth. “Like, right now!” Alora could hear Bozeman’s frantic barking.
    “I’m coming!” she called, starting toward the kitchen. Her head began a steady pounding with sharp stabbing pains.
    “Young lady! We’re not through with this discussion yet.”
    “Ahhh!” She clutched her head as her knees buckled and she fell to the floor. “Wesley! Help me!”
    Wesley burst through the door and scooped her up, carrying her to the kitchen floor, where Kaevin lay unconscious while Bozeman continued his furious woof ing.
    “What’s happening? What’s wrong with her?” asked Charles.
    Alora grasped Kaevin’s hand, and the pain ebbed away. Exhausted, she rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes in relief.
    “What’s going on?” Charles demanded. “What’s wrong with them?”
    Beth sighed. “Nothing a little hand-holding can’t fix.”

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