Page 51 of Wrath

“Huh?”

“Being my wife?”

I stare out across the green fields. “It’s been different.”

“How so?”

“Not anything like I expected. All I’ve ever known is how to take care of others, and suddenly, I don’t have to do that anymore.”

“I know Ava’s been . . . cold towards the idea,” he mutters, “but she’ll soon settle.”

“How is it for you?” I ask, frowning as my words tumble out unexpectedly.

Silas looks just as surprised. “You’re asking me?” he almost whispers, and I nod. “I’m pleasantly surprised, Wynter. Being around you brings back memories of how I once felt about Ava.” His smile fades. “I didn’t expect that.”

“What did you expect?”

He grins. “Trouble. Your father was very clear that you were not easy.”

“And yet I haven’t caused you any trouble at all,” I say innocently. We both laugh.

“What if Ava doesn’t accept me?” I shouldn’t care, but deep down, I do. I don’t want her to hate me or resent me, and she most certainly will if he keeps being nice to me like this.

“She has no choice.”

“Would she be allowed to marry another man?” I ask. His eyes come to mine, and his brow furrows slightly. “Is that a possibility? If men can marry more than once, can women?”

He smirks, finishing his drink. “We should make our way to church.”

Wrath

I squeeze my eyes closed as my heart slams faster in my chest. My feet pound hard on the running machine, and sweat drips from me, soaking my shirt. I slow the machine when I hear the door open. Jaycee comes in. “I need to be quick,” she whispers. “Anna is distracting Alex for me. Martha saw Wynter. She said she will come to see you soon. She just needs to slip away unnoticed.”

I frown, stepping from the machine and grabbing my towel. The chain on my ankle clanks, and I growl in frustration. “Where is she?”

“At home with her family.”

“No,” I say, because I don’t believe it for a second.

“That’s all I know, Wrath, I swear. You can ask her yourself when she comes. Until then, you need to eat something. I think you’re fighting tonight.”

“Why?”

“You’ve not been yourself, and the guard went to Sanchez. If you lose tonight, the winning warrior will take your place.”

“Good.” I sit on the bench.

“No, not good,” she snaps, dropping to her knees before me and looking into my eyes. “What do you think they’ll do to you if you’re no good to them? You’re not going to end up somewhere nice for a retirement. You have to fight and win. Otherwise, you’ll never see Wynter again.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

WYNTER

Ifidget uncomfortably, and Silas places a hand on my knee. “Relax,” he whispers.

“It reminds me of before,” I mutter, lowering my eyes.

“You’re looking at it all wrong,” he replies. “This is an honour. Pearl has been waiting for this day since she was a small child.”

---