Page 75 of Awakened Light

One step closer to being the wife of someone other than the man I loved.

Thorne.

The vision of his face assaulted my mind again. His laughter rang in my ears, and my skin burned as it remembered his touch. Closing my eyes, I let myself remember the taste of his lips as he kissed me that last time.

“Done,” Alpia said as she stepped in front of me.

I held Thorne’s vision in my mind for another moment before I opened my eyes and looked up at her.

“You look so beautiful, Catrain. Uradech will die when he sees you.”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head before pushing out of the chair.

“Seriously?” Alpia scoffed. “You’re really going to keep up the attitude even though you’re about to marry the strongest, most handsome warrior on the island, and then get to ascend to the leader of our clan? Why are you acting so selfish?”

“Selfish?” I snapped as I spun around.

Her blue eyes that looked like mine widened as I stepped forward to face her.

“Why would I be jumping for joy right now? I am giving up everything I want for my people. Everything. That actually makes me the opposite of selfish.”

Instantly, the irritation in her eyes dissipated as she dropped her gaze to the ground. “I’m sorry,” she replied, losing the unnatural attitude in her voice and resuming her normal dulcet tones. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Seeing her submitting to me without a fight caused a mixture of guilt and irritation. Just like every other person in our tribe, even my own little sister had been taught never to argue with me. The heir to the throne should be respected at all times. And because of it, until Thorne came into my life, no one had ever expressed what they truly wanted to say to me.

“Don’t.” I shook my head. “Don’t apologize to me because it’s what you’ve always been told to do... what everyone has been told to do. If you have something to say to me, then say it.”

She peeked up from the floor but lowered her eyes again.

“Alpia,” I took her hand and led her over the bed at the side of the room. She followed my lead and sat beside me. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

“I shouldn’t have questioned you,” she quickly answered.

“Yes. Yes, you should have. You’re absolutely right. I have been acting terrible. And you’re my sister. You’re supposed to tell me when I’m acting like a spoiled child.”

“You have a lot of pressure right now, that’s all.” She finally looked up.

“I do.” I blew out a sigh. “But that’s no excuse for treating you so poorly. I know you’re only trying to help.”

A soft smile curved up her pink lips. “I just want you to be happy, Catrain. I want everything perfect for your big day. Uradech will make a fine husband. The finest...” She drifted off, and I saw pain flash in her eye.

A pain I recognized because it was the same as my own.

The pain of longing for a man that could never be yours.

“Wait a minute.” I reached over and lifted her chin with my hand. “Do you have feelings for him?”

Her eyes widened as she shook her head and dislodged it from my grip. “No! He is your betrothed and has been since before I was born. I cannot have feelings for him.”

But I saw the truth in her eyes.

Chuckling, I lifted her head again. “Alpia. Please, I’m begging you, for once in your life, be honest with me. Don’t tell me what I want to hear... tell me what’s in your heart. I promise you I won’t be angry.”

Her lip quivered as a sheen coated her eyes. “I can’t.”

“Yes, you can. We’re family. We’re sisters. We should always be able to be honest with each other. Support each other. Love each other.”

I remembered the connection between Thorne and his siblings, the one they briefly shared with me, and I wanted so badly to feel that again. I wanted to have it with my own sister instead of having her treat me like a superior to be catered to.