Page 107 of Keeping Sarah

“Which is one of the reasons I love you, Deacon, but class affectseverything,” I said, sharing my own experiences. “From your career opportunities to your life’s trajectory, so while it’snot important toyouin the ways that matter, when you’re unclassed, it affectseverythingthat matters.”

He studied my unwavering expression and chose his words carefully. “It is something I have never had to consider, not really,” he said quietly. “What the unclassed face their whole lives. Especially the women. I am sorry, Jac.”

I exhaled a deep breath, letting out all the tension that had built inside my chest during our conversation. “Sorry I got so touchy about Illiapol—"

“Do not apologize for that,” he said, cutting me off. “Not ever. It is a horror. You are right to be touchy about it.”

Sarah chewed on her bottom lip, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. “Do they celebrate here on Halla?”

“To my knowledge, no,” Deacon said.

Her stiff shoulders relaxed. “That is very good to hear.”

“So, breakfast?” I suggested, ready to leave this discussion behind.

Sarah laughed, appreciating my attempt at levity. “I don’t know if I can ever eat again after hearing all that.”

“Just be glad you’re on Halla right now instead of Orhon,” I told her. “Right about now is when they start looking for the woman to run the trial.”

She gulped and asked, “Any other holidays that involve ritual sacrifice?”

Deacon smirked at her. “You say that so judgmentally, Consort.”

She arched a brow at him. “Should I have said it any other way?”

“No.” He grinned from teasing her. “And with regards to other holidays, there are two that useanimalsacrifice, but only Illiapol requires Ladrian sacrifice.”

Her brows furrowed. “That’s still…concerning.”

“Human holidays use more animal sacrifice than Ladrian ones do,” I pointed out. “Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas and Easter hams, it’s all the same thing.”

“I guess it is,” she said, looking conflicted. “I just never thought of it that way. God, I don’t even know what month it is on Earth right now.”

“By the weather, I would guess early autumn, but I do not know the month,” Deacon said.

I smiled. “I’m sure your sisters will know. And I bet they’re at breakfast, so…”

Sarah giggled at me as she stood up from the bed. “You’re really hungry, aren’t you?”

“I’m starving,” I said, which was an understatement after the events of the past two days, and then last night. “You wore me out. Both of you.”

Her cheeks flushed. “I wouldn’t mind working up an appetite…”

Deacon laughed, too. “You’re in a mood, are you not? I have never seen you quite like this.”

“I missed my guys.” She shrugged as she came up to the both of us. “And it seems I can’t get enough of either of you.”

“You sound like a pregnant Ladrian,” I told her.

She stopped in her tracks. “What?”

“Pregnant Ladrians are nonstop horny for thirteen months.”

Her fingers fluttered up to her throat, her eyes huge. “They have to be pregnant forthirteenmonths?”

I nodded. “Yes, typically.”

“Some go as long as fifteen,” Deacon added. “It all depends on the woman. Have you had any other symptoms?”

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