Page 2 of Wrath

Once she’s comfortable in the bath, I set about washing her hair. The first daughter is the maid of the family, usually born to a warrior, while the second is the princess. I’m expected to do most things—cleaning, cooking, gardening—but I’d rather be the first than the second.

My mother enters as I’m rinsing conditioner from Summer’s hair. “We have one hour, and your father is hungry,” she snaps. “I’ll finish here.” She snatches a towel from the side, and I head downstairs, where my father is sitting expectantly at the table.

I get right to work, frying bacon fresh from our pigs that were sent to the slaughter a few days ago. I take the bread I baked last night and slice off two pieces, adding them to toast in the pan. “I assume you know the rules for today,” he says, his eyes burning into me, and I nod. “Words,” he yells, slamming his hands on the table.

I turn to face him. “Of course, sir.”

He reaches for me, grabbing my wrist and hauling me closer until I’m practically lying across the table. “I don’t need your sarcasm,” he spits.

“I wasn’t being sarcastic,” I rush to add.

He strikes me hard across the thigh, the handprint leaving an instant burn. “This is an honour,” he shouts, and I remain silent. He strikes me a second time, and I wince. “Say it.”

“It’s an honour,” I almost whisper.

The third strike is enough to make me cry out, and my mother enters, alarm on her usually sour face. “Recite it,” he orders, dragging me from the table to my feet. I stand before him, arms by my sides, the way we have been raised to stand while reciting the bullshit they had fed us from the second we could talk.

“We will honour our families. We are righteous and free. Bound to our fathers, we will serve until our last breath.” I want to point out that the entire speech is a contradiction. I amnotfree. Women arenotfree. “Our fathers will protect and guide us along the path they have chosen, keeping us from evil.”

My mother runs a hand over my father’s shoulder. “Let’s concentrate on Summer today,” she says gently, nodding for me to go back to tend to breakfast, which I do immediately. “It’s her day. And yours,” she soothes. “A chance for the other families to see how amazing our daughter is and how she will bear child to a strong warrior.”

I hear the chair scrape back, which means he must be inviting her to sit with him at the table. I risk a glance to see her beside him, looking into his eyes with love and admiration. She’s got the act perfected.

“You’re right,” he says. “Summer is excited, and the match with Maximus is the best yet.”

“And think of the offers from the other families. Once she has shown she is strong enough to carry a warrior’s child, men will be lining up for her hand in marriage.”

I roll my eyes, confident no one can see. The sons of other families will ask for Summer’s hand in marriage, and my father will choose the most suitable candidate. It makes bondsstronger, and I know my father admires the Morales family, even though the father, Silas, is a cruel and violent man. I imagine his sons are no better.

Summer enters the kitchen as I plate up breakfast for my father. She’s naked, ready for his inspection. I lower my eyes to the floor, wondering how self-conscious she must feel with all eyes on her. I guess she needs to get used to it.

My father stands, moving closer to her, and I glance up, watching as she stiffens. He circles her then stops before her and grins. “Perfect,” he says, and her shoulders sag in relief. “You remember how to act?” he asks, and she nods. “Everyone must believe you’re having an amazing time.”

“Of course,” she says.

My father reaches for a bag on the side, holding it open for her to look inside. She gasps, smiling as she reaches in and retrieves a pile of lace. My father takes it, unzipping the dress and lowering before her so she can step into it. As he pulls it up, it clings to her curves. It exposes her skin beneath the white material but covers her breasts and lower area perfectly. “Stunning,” he remarks, zipping it closed and placing a kiss on her cheek. “You’ll do me proud today.”

The ceremony takes place in the church. I guess this makes the men feel better about what’s about to take place, like it’s some holy tradition that God approves of.IfGod is real, I don’t think he’d condone this.

I shift uncomfortably in the front row. The Morales family sits on their side, and the two other families are opposite us. We’re all in our own quarters.

In the centre is a raised glass table. That’s where my sister will meet Maximus for the first time. We only see warriors when they are brought here. The rest of the time, they’re kept in separate bunkers beneath the village.

Once everyone is seated, my father stands and takes Summer by the hand. He leads her to the centre and unzips her lace dress, slipping it from her body, leaving her naked. The fear and uncertainty in her eyes makes me want to scream.This is barbaric.

If it was such an honour, it wouldn’t feel so wrong.

He lifts her to sit on the glass table, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before laying her back. She slides up a little, raising her feet onto the table and parting her legs. My father takes her wrists and guides them above her head, taking the silk cuffs and securing them there. Then he sits back beside my mother, who offers a proud smile his way.

I glance around at the other families, seeing if the daughters amongst them are feeling the same horror I am. But they don’t, making me wonder whether they’re all great actresses or if they truly believe in this ‘honour’.

The door opens, and we all turn to stare. Maximus is huge. His cuffs clank as he walks along the red carpet to where his new sacrifice is laid out. He’s naked too, his huge erection standing proudly, and I can’t hide my anxiety.How the hell will he even fit there?

The other families look on eagerly, excited to watch the impregnation of my sister.Poor Summer.

Maximus looks eager too, fisting his erection like a fucking animal as he moves closer. I wince in disgust as his chains are loosened enough for him to approach Summer, while the guard remains by the side. It’s a reminder that Maximus is animalistic. Otherwise, why would the guards carry cattle prods?

Maximus climbs onto the table, crawling over Summer while pressing his nose to her stomach, dragging it up her body, continually sniffing her. She turns her head to one side and a small squeak of panic leaves her as her eyes connect with mine. I sense her terror as she silently pleads with me to help her. I bite my lip until I taste blood, trying desperately to stay quiet.

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