Page 202 of The Wishing Game

"What?" I ask, my eyes widening. "Imprisoned?"

"Our class is in power due to our abilities. Without them, we wouldn't be here. The gods wouldn't be here. The universe as we know it wouldn't be here. So the rules are made to ensure those abilities are passed on. But more than anything, a female's first child isalwaysthe most powerful. And power is the goal of every union. The male that reported his mate? He did it because he considered himself cheated out of a powerful offspring."

"But what does her not being a virgin have anything to do with children?"

"Because if she came to him touched by another, he could not be sure she did not bear a child in the past, thereby depriving him of his powerful firstborn. That entitles him to compensation from the female's family and a harsh punishment for her."

"Wow... I have no words, Thea. I gathered that your world wasn't very nice to women, but I didn't realize it was this bad."

"Individuals don't matter. It's all about power and prestige. Every family measures their worth by the number of Supremes they produced."

I nod, my heart hurting for her.

"Were you...in love with him?" I ask tentatively.

She releases a bitter laugh.

"Maybe it would have been better if it had been some great love story. It was one time only, and I was so intoxicated I barely remember a single thing. Just...the morning after. The shame." She pauses, squeezing her eyes shut.

"Thea." I reach for her hand. "Did he take advantage of you?"

She shakes her head.

"We were both inebriated. Not that it makes it any better. But it was my fault... I..." She swallows a sob as she brings the back of her hand to wipe off the moisture clinging to her lashes. "If my father forces me to marry someone, it will be all over. I can't bring that type of shame to my family. I couldn't bear to see them disappointed in me."

"Why don't you tell him then? Surely, if he knows how this would affect you, he would stop pressuring you."

"That's the thing, Luce. I don't know which one is worse. My father finding out, or the world finding out."

I stare at her and it finally dawns on me that behind her easygoing appearance hides a mountain of turmoil—oh, and how well it hides. She has everybody fooled that she's some type of carefree rebel, but she's only a woman trying to survive in a world that has her cornered.

"Is this what Ze threatened you with?"

She nods as she dries her tears, patting her face with a napkin to fix her ruined makeup.

"He saw me. The morning after, he saw me leave the male's room. And since then, he's been holding it over my head. One wrong move, and he threatened to expose me."

I shake my head in disappointment. How could he do that to her? Knowing the type of secret he's been blackmailing her with makes me realize just how badly I misjudged him.

"I have a question, and I don't want you to take it the wrong way." When she nods for me to continue, I ask, "Why would you tell me something so sensitive? If it's so dangerous for you, why would you risk it?"

A faraway look appears on her face.

"Ze was right about one thing. I... I don't have the best reputation in Arche. I have no girlfriends. No one to talk to, really. There is my sister, but she's too young to understand. I guess..." She sighs deeply. "I needed to tell someone and I thought you wouldn't judge me."

Getting up from my chair, I take a tentative step toward her. I open my arms for her and she comes easily, hugging me tightly as more tears fall down her cheek.

"Never," I whisper. "I swear to you I'llneversay a word of what you just told me. Your secret is safe with me, Thea," I whisper.

She cries harder, sobs racking her entire body.

"I'm sorry to burden you with this," she says brokenly. "I think being home just got to me and I..."

"No. Don't even mention it. We're friends, are we not?"

"Thank you." She swallows hard. "Thank you."

"I'll do what I can to help you avoid any talk of marriage," I tell her, slowly patting her back.

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