Page 229 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

“They are scary.”

“You’re so brave,” I praise him in a high-pitched voice.

Everyone seems convinced by my act, thinking I’ve just been impressed by Theron’s military prowess. But Theron realizes I’m secretly laughing at him, and this only makes everything so much funnier.

We take a seat at the table and wait for the courses to be served. Our parents make small talk while Theron continues to glare at me, occasionally touching his scar and remembering my promise from before.

As the conversation turns to our upcoming nuptials, our parents are discussing the best time for a wedding when Theron suddenly interjects.

“I am going to be involved in a long mission at Commander Azerius’ request. I believe it would be best to postpone the nuptials.”

Both our parents gasp in shock.

“You want to postpone the wedding?” my mother asks in a tremulous voice.

“I believe it would be best to take advantage of this opportunity,” he states.

“I think Theron is right,” I speak out. “Of course I am eagerly awaiting the wedding, but this is a rare opportunity for him to establish his career. We would not want him to miss out on it, no?”

“I suppose you are right,” my mother comments reluctantly.

“It is an important mission,” Theron continues.

Olivia, his mother, looks from her son to my parents, suddenly at a loss for words. I see they did not discuss this in advance and it makes me wonder what made Theron speak out. It’s well known he’s not an independent thinker and always relies on his mother to make decisions for him.

Perhaps Ididscare him. I stifle a smile at the thought. Ah, but if I had known, I would have done this from the beginning so we wouldn’t have gotten engaged in the first place.

Alas, the past is the past. There’s no need to dwell on it.

“If Theron thinks that would be better, then I agree as well. Do you have a date in mind, my dear?”

“Since it is such an important mission, I cannot say how long it would take.”

Both parents are quiet.

“I suppose we can reconvene once Theron is done with his mission,” my mother says. She’s not pleased with the outcome, but she cannot object to it, not when Theron’s accomplishments would reflect good on our match too. Mother is nothing if not a strategist, and no matter how much she’d like to see me married tomorrow, she knows she must tread carefully.

“It is settled then. The wedding will be postponed indefinitely until Theron finishes his mission,” my father finally speaks after quietly observing the exchanges.

The conversation becomes stilted and awkward and Olivia declares that they should leave.

I give Theron one last threatening look as I watch him go. It seems he’s not entirely stupid. He still has some self-preservation since he realizes he will never get a tame and biddable wife in me.

“Minerva,” my mother calls out. “What did you do?” Her eyes are shooting daggers at me as she strides to my side and grabs my arm roughly. “You think I was fooled by that demon excuse?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I smile sweetly.

My father sighs and shakes his head.

He grabs my mother’s hand off my arm and pulls her to his side.

“You’re takingherside?”

“I am not taking anyone’s side,” my father says in a weary voice.

“Yes. You are.” She glares at him. Stomping her foot against the floor, she leaves the dining room with a huff.

Alone with my father, he turns his attention to me.

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