Page 55 of Wrath

Wrath

My head aches as I roll onto my back and stare up at the ceiling.She kissed him. I wasn’t prepared for it. Wynter had given me hope of happiness, and I was even starting to believe that she liked me too. I was a fool because why would she when she could be with a man like him. A man who roams freely. I have nothing to offer her down here. But what hurts more than anything isshe talked about a life outside this place. She almost had me believing we could get out of here. When I saw her sitting beside the ring tonight, I had something to fight for. It was a sign to keep going. I won’t live like this anymore. I give up.Without Wynter, there’s no point.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

WYNTER

It’s been a week since I last saw my sister after Pearl’s ceremony. I had to get special permission from Silas to meet her, which I asked for while snuggled beside him in bed earlier today. I’ve learned very quickly that I get what I want when I catch him off-guard. Silas agreed, on the condition I take one of his guards with me.

She’s sitting on a wooden bench that overlooks the small park. She smiles as I join her, and my guard goes to speak with hers, meaning at least we can catch up without them listening in.

“How are you?” I ask.

“Father spoke with your darling husband,” she says in a sarcastic tone. “God, I hate him,” she whispers.

I slip my hand in hers. “Silas never mentioned it.”

“I’m to marry Adam.”

My heart squeezes. “I’m so sorry.”

“I guess at least we might see one another more?”

“When will you marry?”

“After the birth.” She buries her face in her hands. “He’s made some requests that Father granted without speaking to me.”

“Like?”

“He doesn’t want me to breastfeed.” I frown. It’s the only way women feed their babies here because the forefathers don’t agree with formula unless there’s a specific reason. We even have wet nurses. My mouth falls open in surprise as I realise what he’s suggesting. “A wet nurse?”

She nods. “A wet nurse and a nanny. I can’t even raise my own child.”

“It’s not unusual to have a nanny,” I say gently.

“This is my child,” she snaps. “I want to feed it, and I want to raise it.”

“If it’s a boy, he might change his mind and be more accepting.”

“How is the marriage?” she asks on a sigh.

I shrug. “It’s not awful.”

The news surprises her, and she stares at me through wide eyes. “Really?”

“Ava hates me, but that’s to be expected. He’s awful to her.”

“But how does he treat you?”

My heart aches, unable to lie but not wanting to admit the truth. “He treats me well,” I say honestly. “He eats dinner with me on the porch. He plays soft music, and we dance.” I think back to the other night and tears fill my eyes. “He took me to a fight.”

She winces. “They’re not nice.”

“No, not at all. When I was in the caves, I made friends with the warriors.”

She twists to face me. “What?”

“They’re not bad, Summer,” I whisper, glancing nervously at the guards.

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