Page 23 of The Immortal's Trick
“Enough,” Nebet snaps, her voice cracking like a whip.
I stare at her. For a second, my heart lifts.
Maybe—just maybe—she’ll fight.
But when she speaks again, it’s with weary resolve. “There’s nothing we can do.”
My hope shatters. “You can refuse! We can leave. Take Ruia and Sab and go somewhere…anywhere?—”
“And starve in a poor house?” Nebet cuts in. “Do you truly think that is a better fate?”
“I—” I falter. I don’t know. Not really. But it has to be better thanthis.
“We’d figure something out,” I say, desperate. “We always do.”
Nebet shakes her head. “Not this time.”
Heat rushes to my face. “Why are you letting him do this to you?”
“I’m not upset the way you are.”
“Don’t lie to me,” I snap. “Iknowyou.”
“I’m not lying,” she says through clenched teeth. “I’m accepting reality.”
“Accepting Benipe?” My voice rises in pitch. “The man is twice your age and smells like spoiled figs!”
“I’m glad I can do something,” Nebet says, suddenly loud, shaking with emotion. “Something useful. I can save our family from ruin.”
Her hand flies up, halting my rebuttal. “I’m nearly nineteen, Eshe. Most girls are married at fifteen. I waited because I wanted love. I waited because I thought I’d have time.” Her voice cracks. “But that time’s gone. And if this is the cost of keeping you, Ruia, and Sab fed and safe, then I’ll pay it.”
My anger drains, leaving only cold grief behind. I can hardly breathe past the knot in my chest.
“I don’t want this for you,” I say, my voice barely a whisper. “I want to help. Let me help.”
Nebet reaches for my hand. Her grip is warm, steady. “Then help me by living. Be happy. Marry whom you choose. Dream. Love. Be free.”
I bite my lip hard enough to break skin. I don’t speak. Ican’t.
“I will survive this,” Nebet adds. “You just make sure it’s worth it.”
The words break something loose inside me. I stand abruptly. Nebet’s fingers slip away.
She calls my name softly as I turn, but I don’t look back. If I do, she’ll see my tears.
And I refuse to let her see me cry when I’m not the one who just signed away all hopes of a happy future.
10
Field after field.Building after building. I pass friends and neighbors but don’t see any of them. I don’t feel the dust clinging to my sandals, or the sun pressing down on my uncovered head.
I focus on every step, eager to get farther from my father—from the house where Nebet pretends not to be heartbroken—from the decision that will break our family apart.
How could he do it?
Why didn’t he even try to find another way?
Tears hover at the corners of my eyes, stubborn and relentless. I blink them back, again and again, but they burn just the same. I try to think, scheme, and plot a way out of this. There has to be something I can do to stop this marriage. Something besides giving up.
