Page 17 of Circle of Days
“What would make you feel good—do you know?”
“I have no idea.”
“Well… I hope you find out soon.” He kissed her again, briefly, then turned away.
Vee and Roni were still kissing Moke and Robbo. Joia felt unhappy and somehow lost. She left the group and walked on around the outside of the village. What was wrong with her? She was surrounded by people up to all kinds of sexual acts that they seemed to be enjoying hugely, and she was indifferent.
She saw Vee’s mother, Kae, coming in the opposite direction, walking arm in arm with Inka, one of the priestesses. Kae was kin: she was the widow of Ani’s late brother. Joia liked Kae, who was warmhearted and generous, with an easygoing smile. On impulse, Joia went up to her and kissed her.
This was different. Kae’s lips were full and warm on Joia’s. Kae put her arm around Joia’s shoulders and hugged her. Her lips moved a little, as if exploring Joia’s, then Joia was startled to feel the tip of Kae’s tongue.
Joia could have stayed like that for a long time, but Kae broke the embrace with a sigh. “You’re lovely, Joia,” she said. “But you should really learn about all this kind of thing with people your own age.”
Joia felt let down, and she must have shown it, for Kae said: “I’m sorry.” She stroked Joia’s curly hair. “But it’s no good with an older one teaching a younger.”
Her companion, Inka, said: “Lovers need to be equal.”
“All right,” said Joia. “I liked the kiss, anyway.”
“Good luck,” said Kae, and she and Inka moved on.
Joia felt overwhelmed. She needed peace and quiet to think about everything. She headed for home.
Ani was there and so was Neen. They were lying down, but still awake and talking. Joia said to Neen: “Didn’t you go to the revel?”
“No.”
“I thought you might be with Enwood.”
Neen sighed. “I can’t make up my mind. I was planning to see Enwood tonight. Then Seft appeared and I kept thinking about him. But now Seft has gone.”
“Seft thinks you’re a goddess.”
“Whereas Enwood is twenty midsummers old, and too grown-up to worship a mere human.”
“You must like one more than the other,” Joia said argumentatively.
“Seft is nicer, but Enwood is here.”
Ani changed the subject. “You look troubled, Joia. Obviously you didn’t enjoy the revel. What happened?”
Joia lay down beside the other two. “Well,” she said, “first of all Roni got Robbo.”
“The two best-looking,” Neen said.
Ani said: “It’s often the way.”
“And Vee got Moke. She seemed very keen.”
“Good for her. But what about you?”
“I kissed Vee’s brother, Cass.”
“And…?”
“Nothing.” Joia shrugged. “I didn’t feel anything. Just some boy’s mouth.”
“Was he annoyed?”
