I imagined a jar to contain the thoughts like Gideon had taught me. But it felt as if thousands of them scurried around, vying for attention. Each time I put one in the jar, five more rose to take its place. There were too many to manage. The mental jar dissolved.
I concentrated my rage on Amir, which seemed to lower the volume in the room to a tolerable roar. Difficult to ignore, but manageable.
“Where is my father?” I called across the enormous room. Maybe not so controlled after all. My fury broke through the soft enchantment of the crowd, ruining the ambience, but though they murmured briefly, the response was contained. Muted.
“He’ll be here shortly," King Amir replied. “Come to the altar now, Princess Arie.”
Though there was no sign he was telling the truth, I nodded. A small part of me protested even as my feet kept moving.
“She’s such a happy bride.” His melodic, Gifted voice soothed those near the front. Faces smoothed over.
“She is such a happy bride,” Enoch repeated, and this time, the wave of assurance passed over the room so deeply that I felt it in my bones.
Everyone’s thoughts united as they repeated his words silently to themselves.
Even though Enoch’s words weren’t directed at me, I still had to fight them.
As they listened, the vast number of thoughts around the room dropped to a trickle. I’d never expected to want them back, but I wished for their presence now, for someone to still have enough awareness to resist.
The faces I passed by were blank. Empty. Void of self-control. Was resistance even possible?
No doubt Amir expected me to become docile as well. I didn’t know what to do. If I struggled it would reveal my Gift. If I didn’t...
“Why does she seem unhappy?” Rena asked, unfazed. I could’ve kissed her. Finally, someone was speaking up!
“It’s customary to resist at a wedding.” Amir smiled at her. “If she did not, I would be dishonored.”
A tiny wrinkle stayed on her forehead as she watched me.
Words wouldn’t come.
Concentrating, I willed her to be aware of the lies.
“Isn’t that right, Enoch?” Amir growled.
“Princess Arie’s struggles aren’t real,” Enoch intoned. “She will stop resisting now.”
And I did.
As they deposited me in front of Amir, I stopped thrashing, despite my best intentions. Seeing that I’d lost this first battle, I gave in to the Gift, allowing him to think it had removed my free will completely, willing my face into complacency.
I still had one last resort.
