A few of the kings had resisted Amir’s sway. “She deserves a fair trial, just like a Gifted man,” one had said.
But others aligned with Amir. “Women can’t handle this kind of power. They’re too emotional. I vote we sever all their Gifts.”
“Agreed,” said another. “The toll on them is too much, it would be better if they were allowed to live a normal life.”
Arguments rose and fell, but in the end, Amir had shrugged. “We will give women a sound and reasonable trial. But we all know how it will end.”
The woman had hung herself.
I shivered at the memory, strategizing the best way to resist Amir without revealing my Gift. But my silence stretched too long. Amir glanced over his shoulder. “Youarehappy, are you not?”
Forcing myself to give in to the waves of influence washing over me, I beamed up at him. “I’m delighted to marry you. When will our wedding take place?” Clenching my fists within the folds of my skirts, I tried not to fidget.
My father hadn’t said a word. He stood, gazing at nothing, as Amir set down the paper and held out his hands. “Come.” I swallowed and obeyed, keeping my smile pasted on. When he gripped my fingers, I focused all my energy on not pulling them away. “We’ll be married in a fortnight on Summer’s Eve,” Amir said. “The feast and entertainment will make the perfect wedding celebration, don’t you think? Best of all, the entire kingdom has already been invited and everyone nearby will be encouraged to attend. Your father has already given it his blessing.”
I blinked at that. The Summer’s Eve feast was less than two weeks away. Amir mistook my silence for the same blank reaction as my father. He cupped my cheek with his hand. “You will be a beautiful bride.” I let my face light up the way he expected it to, and he turned away. “You’re dismissed.”
How dare he dismiss me in my own home?My blood boiled as I glared at his back. I almost forgot to obey, but forced my feet to move toward the door, touching my father’s arm as I passed. “Baba,” my voice came out too bright. “Could we have a private moment to celebrate? Maybe we could have some champagne?”
“I’m not sure we should celebrate just yet, Arie-zada.” My father patted my arm. His face was slack and his words came out slow, as if he had to mull over each one individually. “It’s still a secret.”
“Oh, it’s not a secret anymore,” Amir replied, not even glancing up as he picked up another paper. “That sounds delicious. Go pour three glasses. I’ll join you in a moment.”
At the command underneath Amir’s voice, my father turned to obey, and I followed, hurrying to shut the large oak doors behind us. My father pulled out the champagne and began to pour the drinks.
“Baba.” I took his hands and squeezed, searching for some sign that he was present, that the distance from Amir gave him his mind back. “You know I can’t marry him.” My whisper was urgent, desperate. “Please tell me you’ll stop this!” I was only 17. That might be old enough to get married. But it was far too young to marry someone as old as Amir. My father had always agreed with me before.
“Mmmhmm, King Amir thought you might be uncertain, but he knows you’ll come around.” Baba patted my hand before he pulled free and turned back to pouring.
This wasn’t him. I stepped back with tears in my eyes.It’s not his fault,I told myself as I hurried toward the side door. I needed to escape before Amir arrived.
Walking down the hall, I kicked through a door when no one was looking, letting it crash into the wall behind me as I strode on, blinking back tears of frustration. I didn’t know what to do. No one else saw past Amir’s manipulation. I was alone.
CHAPTER 4
Arie
