Page 108 of The Warrior
“But I only have ten fingers.”
Dina gave a low melodic chuckle and let me use one of her hands to count.
“You were thirteen then.”
“That’s right.” Tousling my hair, she planted a kiss on my cheek. “You’re such a smart kid, Magni.”
“Will you sleep here tonight?” I asked with a hopeful tone in my voice. I loved snuggling up with Dina.
She took my hand and moved closer. “I would like that very much.”
“Are you excited for tomorrow?”
“Are you?” she asked.
I frowned. “I like to see men fight, but I don’t want you to move out.”
Dina’s expression changed to one of sadness. People always said she and I looked alike. We had inherited our father’s blond hair and blue eyes, while Khan took after our mother with his dark coloring. Right now I was playing with her soft golden locks and inhaling the scent of Dina. It represented everything I loved, from warm hugs, bright smiles, to comforting back rubs when I couldn’t sleep at night.
“I don’t like the thought of moving out either. I’ll miss you and Khan.”
“And Mom and Dad,” I added, thinking she’d forgotten about them.
“I’ll miss Mom a lot.”
“Are you nervous about picking the right champion?”
She nodded. “Mom says not to expect love, but I want him to treat me well.”
Pushing up on my elbow, I looked deep into my sister’s eyes. “If your husband isn’t nice to you, I’ll beat him up for you, I promise.”
Everyone would have laughed at a seven-year old threatening to beat up a grown champion, but Dina didn’t. Her tears welled up a little and she leaned in to kiss my forehead, engulfing me once again in the comforting scent of her. “Thank you, Magni, I know you will. You’ve always been good to me.”
“That’s because we’re best friends.”
“And we always will be,” she promised before we fell asleep.
The next day I watched as many fights as I could. Never had so many men entered to win a bride, but then Dina was no ordinary bride. She was the ruler’s daughter, and the potential influence from becoming her husband drew the crowds.
In the evening, I saw her step forward looking like a true princess with her white dress and long blond hair braided by my mother. I thought Dina was the prettiest girl in the world.
The man she chose was very large and when he picked her up and carried her around on his shoulder like a trophy, she smiled and waved at me.
I sized him up, and my immature seven-year-old self whispered to my brother Khan, who sat next to me. “If he’s not good to Dina, you’ll have to help me kick his ass.”
Khan lifted an eyebrow, silently asking me if I was serious.
“I promised her,” I emphasized.
Khan looked to Dina and her champion. “I don’t think we could beat him, Magni. He’s too big.”
“If you won’t help me, I’ll do it by myself.”
Khan heaved his chest in a sigh. “Tell you what. If Dina complains, we’ll come up with a plan to help her, all right?”
This was so typical of Khan. Always scheming and being strategic, but he was almost five years older than me and my closest ally, so I’d take it.
We never got a chance to come up with a plan. Dina went to the East Coast with her new husband and we never saw her again.
