AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Could we talk?”
“Yeah.”
We sit with our feet in the water.
She holds out a bone-handled knife to me. “Eddard gave me this.”
I take it, turning it in my hand, testing the blade. “I think this would be considered a courting gift.”
“I don’t know what to do. Or how to respond.”
“Do you like him?”
“He’s older than many of the others, but strangely, I’m not put off by that.”
“What are you put off by?”
“I suppose I’m just scared that we’ll go back to the way things were in Penticar, but instead of being under our parents’ thumbs, and eventually our husbands, it will be under theirs’.”
“You mean you didn’t like Penticar?”
“Truth is, I like being your second. I like making decisions. I like not having to answer to a man.”
“That might not change if we move into their village. We could retain some form of independence.”
She frowns. “I hope so.”
“Maybe you should be the leader. You’ll probably be better at negotiating for us.”
“Nonsense. No one is better than you.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Why would I lie?”
That someone like Meg would think me worthy of leading fills me with pride. She isn’t some weak maiden. She’s the daughter of a high lord, bred from two prestigious lines, and has had the benefit of littérateurs her entire life.
“Thanks, Meg.” I fold my hand over hers. “I promise I won’t let you down.”
20
GRIXIS
Elena settles into a nest of blankets, stretching her small body in exhaustion. Her dark hair fans around her comely face, newly brushed and decorated with tiny flowers.
“You work hard. I am pleased with you.”
But I’m not just pleased. I’m elated. Her people are quick to learn and listen, working together to accomplish more than any of the men in my tribe thought possible.
“Spread your legs for me so I can reward you for your day’s work.”
She snorts out a series of laughs that seem to increase in pitch. Her whole body shakes like I have just said the oddest thing she could imagine.
Amused, I watch her as she reclaims control of herself.
“Was I perhaps wrong? Did you take a day of rest?”
“No, but you’d never believe what the meeting was called over.”
