Page 21 of The Tenets of Man

“Will do.”

I head back to my tent, needing a second to think. Miraculously, no one stops me on my way there, and I lie down on the mattress, desperately trying to ignore how my pillow smells like the woman who slept here last night. Fresh citrus and vanilla invade my nostrils, and I imagine that’s what her fancy shampoo must smell like.

Any of the women we’ve rescued could testify to how terrible their time in New Athens was, but few would have the patience or knowhow to actually get through to someone like Delilah. Bec’s too coarse. V got out before she could suffer any major trauma. And Sam… our history might complicate her willingness to help someone like Delilah.

Maybe Bec was right and I’ve bitten off more than I can chew here… After not sleeping all night, my eyelids grow heavy and I start to drift off. That is, until someone calls for me from outside the tent.

Her voice is muffled, but I can tell it’s Bec. “Hey, Mav?”

I hold back a growl of annoyance. “What?”

“You’re needed at the Hub. Your”—she clears her throat—“I mean, the wife is causing problems.”

I sigh.Of course she is.“Be right there.”

Delilah

Present Day

“Females are to remain poised and non-violent, even in the face of disagreement.”—EXPECTATIONS FOR FEMALE BEHAVIOR, N.A.L. 6 § 2

V walks me to the Hub—as she called it—a tent that’s been converted into a store of sorts. There’s clothing, blankets, food, and some other random items available for trade if I understand the system correctly. I reach for a pair of jeans that look to be my size before I return my hand to my side.

V notices my hesitation. “You can try them on in there.” She points to a makeshift changing room in the corner.

“I don’t have anything to trade,” I say, adjusting my too-loose pants once again.

V waves a hand in front of her face. “You’re Maverick’s guest. Just pick whatever you’d like.”

I scowl at the idea of being that horrible man’sanything. V leaves me there, probably heading back to her own tent. I browse the wares, picking up the jeans I was eyeing before along with a warm-looking button-up sweater. I find an unopened toothbrush and a travel-size toothpaste, refusing to think about how bad my breath must smell. I hang the clothes over my arm and slowly walk around the tent, noticing two women in the corner speaking in low tones. Maybe they’re shop attendants, ensuring no one steals anything.

My stomach growls, a blatant reminder that I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday afternoon. I shuffle over to the food section and pick out a protein bar that looks like it’s several years old, but I suppose it’s better than nothing. I rip it open and bite into the chewy morsel, working my jaw to the point of exhaustion. I swallow the gluey concoction, needing something to wash it down. I grab a plastic water bottle from the table and twist the cap off, gulping down several mouthfuls when one of the women in the corner scoffs loudly.

“The entitlement of some people…” she says to her friend, who promptly agrees while shaking her head.

I finish drinking and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. “I’m sorry, have I done something wrong?”

The one who spoke earlier, a woman with dirty blonde hair and a nose piercing, rolls her eyes at me. “I’m sure the list of things you’ve done wrong is a mile long,sister.”

My face flushes. Never in my life has my title as a wife been used against me in a negative manner. “Excuse me?”

“You heard her,” the other woman—a curvy brunette—says, crossing her arms.

The blonde prowls toward me, eyes narrowed. “You don’t belong here,wife.Do us all a favor and take your pretentious ass back where you came from.”

My instinct is to shrink under her scrutiny, but I’ll be damned if I let her intimidate me. I raise my chin, making sure to look her over from head to toe. “At least I’m not some uncultured skank who parades my body around for attention.”

The brunette’s mouth pops open in shock while the blonde clenches her fists. She steps forward, bringing her face just inches from mine. “Listen here, you little bitch. You think you’re special because some man with an overinflated sense of ego chose you to be his little fuck toy?” Her breath fans over my face, hot and angry. “Your status means nothing here,so shut your cock-sucking mouth.”

I cross my arms, standing tall. “Your foul mouth is unbecoming, miss. Not that you’d understand; it’s clear your formal education is quite lacking. Perhaps you could learn a thing or two on how to comport yourself from uswives.”

“I would ratherdiethan be some asshole’s wife.” Spit from her mouth lands on my cheek.

I shrug, wiping my face. Headmistress would be proud of how I’ve kept my cool in this tense situation. “No matter. No self-respecting lord would choose you, anyway. You’d probably be better suited as a whore.”

Before I can even blink, she slaps me across the face. My head whips to the side and I taste blood. I prod my bottom lip to find it split,the spot on my cheek heating as the pain finally registers. I right my head and look up to find her smirking, though her eyes still look furious.

“You know, they taught us that violence is an unladylike solution to problems. But I can make an exception.”