Page 35 of Own To Obsess

Rozalia shrugged. “I've never seen the data, but it is something that is well believed in our culture and extends back to almost the beginning. There has been a marked increase in the death rate from people who have certain traits. And any time we had outsiders who visited and settled here, who started families with Southern Islanders, if the children portrayed any of these characteristics, they usually didn’t survive when the blizzards hit. It became so common, that tribe leaders began to warn their tribes about starting families with anyone from the outside, especially if they had specific markers.”

Shaya simply stared at her, unable to believe it could be true. “So how did Kardos end up with blonde hair? His father is dark.”

“Yes,” Rozalia said as she clipped leaves from one of the shrubs. “But his mother was extremely light. Her hair was almost white it was so blonde.”

“Did she suffer the same kind of attack from the people here?”

“No,” Rozalia said hesitantly. “And I want you to understand that the people here do not judge so easily. Hair color of all kinds is generally accepted. And while it has been difficult for Kardos because of what his hair color suggests, it is his deeds that people love him for. It is the fact that he is fair and just, and will always honor the people of the Southern Isles, and why they accept him as tribe leader.

“The problem has arisen because Kardos wants to be the high chief, he wants to lead the entire Southern Isles. That is a problem for some who believe in this data. They feel there are more suitable Alphas, those who will live longer who should take the seat. On top of that, Kardos has now secured himself the one dynamic that no one else is bonded to, but who almost everyone desires to return to our Lands. He has made things extremely difficult for himself.”

Shaya digested this information as she watered the plants. It was still insane for anyone to make judgments based on the color of someone's hair. It suggested this Land was more unsophisticated than she thought. In the other Lands, people judged others on their wealth or their abilities, usually magical, or even their standing in society. But all of those things could be improved or worsened based on an individual's behavior and efforts. To judge someone based on something they couldn't help, like hair color, was just beyond the realm of the sane.

“So his mother did not receive any kind of trouble for the way she looked?” she asked

Rozalia’s nod was regretful. “A little. Only because of who she paired with, not just out of principle,” Rozalia admitted. “But I assume that most people thought their child would be dark like his father. I think it was a shock that he is light.”

“His mother died?”

Rozalia nodded. “She died in one of the blizzards when he was a child.”

Shaya thought for a moment. “Where was she from? How could she be so different than everyone else here?”

“It is said she was stranded at sea and one of the clans on a non-named island rescued her and took her in. When Kardos' father traveled to do some trading, he met her and….” Rozalia smiled. “I'm sure you know what it is like to catch the attention of an Alpha.”

Shaya smiled, her face heating. “That sounds like a great story,” she said wistfully. “But it is shame she died.”

Rozalia nodded. “She was an extremely clever woman and she loved both her mate and her son dearly. It is a shame that she died and that her death fed into the stereotype of what people expect. It hasn't made things easy for Kardos.” She drew her lips in tight and then sighed. “He has proved them wrong with almost everything he has done. Almost every one of his achievements have been things they said he could not do. Becoming high chief would be the biggest one.”

Shaya nodded. It made sense now why Kardos was trying so hard to gain a seat. Why he left every morning so determined, why he returned so late at night after she had gone to bed. “You said bringing me back would have gotten him the seat, if I hadn't bitten him,” she said, her voice quiet.

In Rozalia's hesitation, she knew what she said was true, so she didn't let her continue to answer. “I spoiled things for him,” she said miserably. “Those other Alphas are horrible. They feel he has no value. How can someone have no value?”

“It is the way in which that they have been taught to expect things,” Rozalia said. When Shaya gave her a strange look, she held up her hands. “I'm not defending them,” she said pointedly. “But, if all tribes expect their blonde-haired children or people to die, it causes them to act and behave in certain ways. Those children and people do not get the same opportunities and chances as the rest of the tribe, they don’t get the respect because they’re considered weak. They simply live with the expectation that they are going to die, and this is reinforced by some members of our society. I think if Kardos became high chief and proved them wrong with his rule, things would change.”

“So I did indeed make things harder for him,” Shaya said. “I spoiled his chances of achieving something really important.”

“I don't think so,” Rozalia said softly. “I think if you hadn't bitten him, he would have faced the fact that he didn’t want you to go to another Alpha.”

Shaya shook her head. “We'll never know that for sure now.”

“We do know it,” Rozalia said, smiling. “He knows it and I know it. It is only you who thinks you made the wrong decision to bite him.”

Shaya averted her eyes, wondering how Rozalia had figured that out.

“You don't need to hide it,” Rozalia said softly. “It is clear that you regret the position that you’re in with the bond. I'm hoping that has changed since you first started coming to see me?”

Shaya nodded, unable to get her mouth to work.

“Good,” Rozalia said, the relief strong in her tone. “Because I think you are an excellent addition to Tribe Nyek.”

***

Shaya's mind whirled in the carriage on the way home. Kardos had been dealing with a prejudice she hadn't even known existed all this time. She had seen him as equal to King Malloron, someone who was powerful and respected in their society, someone who others craved to be, someone who was equal to the ruler of each Land, but that wasn't the case at all. The other Alphas despised Kardos, and not because of his achievements, but because of how he looked. And although it was the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard, she couldn't imagine what it would be like to live like that, to be unable to stop those assumptions.

A sudden shock shuddered through the carriage and her world turned upside down. The carriage jolted and tipped over, and she tumbled roughly as it rolled. She tried to brace herself, trying to grab something, but there was nothing to hold onto. Something hard struck her hip and she cried out, trying in vain to hang on to something to anchor herself, but the carriage kept rolling out of control. It was impossible for her to protect herself, and she could only continue to scream as her body was banged and battered from different directions.

Finally, the carriage came to a stop and Shaya lay strewn on the floor. What the hell had happened?

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