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“I am not—”
“You have fooled no one, Aphrodite. All day, you sit like an angel among men, unfazed, unbothered, as if you are not part of this world. And then he appears in front of you, and you become mortal. You show your anger, your pain, your joy, your fear, and, most dearly, your heart.”
“Mama, he betrayed me—”
“He did.” She nodded. “I racked my mind for nearly four years as to why. I do not have the answer, and it made me angry just as it did you. I was ready to let him and the whole business go. But fate has afforded you a second chance, and I do not wish to see either of you waste it because of pride.”
“And I do not wish to be hurt again, Mama. Please excuse me,” I said and left the room, rushing up the stairs to my own.
I had decided to marry as she asked, and if it was to be to someone like Tristian, then fine. Who cared if he did not like nature as I did? Who cared if he thought me unable to handle the works of Shakespeare? How would my life be any different? I already did things I did not like to do.
“Odite!” Abena burst into my room.
“I am unwell, Abena. I wish to rest.”
“Papa said to give you this.”
I looked to see she held a dictionary in her hand. Sitting up, I opened the book, and sure enough, it was edited.
This would always be the condition of my life.
Under Papa, then under a husband.
“Are you crying?” Abena poked her head underneath mine.
I smiled. “Yes, with joy, Papa truly knows how to brighten one’s day, does he not?”
“I’ll tell him.” She smiled wide and took off running again. Of all my sisters, I was jealous of her the most, for she had the greatest freedom and did not even know it. Oh, how that freedom was wasted on children.
7
Aphrodite
The season was grueling. Every other day, there was breakfast or a ball or a gathering or an opening by one of the numerous prestigious families hoping to secure their daughters a well-to-do husband. And though our itinerary was full, my mother had taken note of the fact that there were fewer invitations for us this year, seemingly on account of Damon now being married. She believed that other families were worried that Hathor and I would steal all the attention of the night. What was her remedy? To host a ball herself. Thus, our house was now in splendid chaos.
“What color are you wearing tonight, Odite?” Hathor asked, rushing inside my room as I tried to read.
“I have not decided—”
“Will you please decide so I may decide?”
I rolled my eyes. “Very well, I believe I will wear white.”
“I shall wear pink!” she said and ran out.
I shook my head and turned the page again, only for there to be a knock at the door. I sighed and looked up to see Devana. “Yes?”
“Can I have your ribbon?” she asked politely.
“Let me guess, the green one?”
She smiled and nodded.
“Go on.”
“Thank you!” she replied, going through my drawer and taking it before leaving. Once more, the door shut, only for there to be another knock.
I kicked my foot and then composed myself. “Yes?”
