Sadness glints in her eyes before she glances up. “Before the other tribes started murdering Roland’s family.”
My chest tightens at the reality of her words. Atmyreality. I’m here to do the same.
The door opens, and Everly steps into the tiny room wearing a black surcoat with the ever-present red circle. I swallow and try to not see that other woman lying broken in the streets.
“I finished your necklace, Kass,” Everly says.
Kassandra stands and accepts the gift. “Thank you. It’s lovely.”
A frown pinches at Everly’s mouth as Kassandra slips the thin silver chain over her head and allows it to settle against her surcoat.
“Is something amiss?” Kassandra asks after several moments.
Everly pushes the door shut and turns to face Kassandra. “Call off the wedding to Luc.”
An instant scowl curls Kassandra’s mouth down. “I will not.”
Everly lets out a quick breath and reaches for Kassandra’s hand. “You cannot marry him. People like us don’t marry people like him.”
“I’m in love with him.” Kassandra lifts her chin and clenches her fingers together.
Inwardly, I smile at Kassandra’s determination to wed despite her sister’s misgivings.
“Love doesn’t matter.” Everly stabs her hand toward the door and speaks in an embittered tone. “Those people will never allow an outsider to marry someone below their class. Go to Luc and tell him you cannot marry him.”
The crowd returns, their voices hissing in my ears.“Stone her. Stone her.”
I blink, trying to make it stop. Trying to not see the darkness inside them. They stoned a woman simply because she was different.
Kassandra squeezes her sister’s hand and releases. “Luc and I will change the prejudices against outsiders.”
A scoff escapes Everly as she shakes her head. “You will change nothing.”
“I wish you’d try to understand.” Desperation echoes from Kassandra’s words. Desperation for her sister to believe her.
“I understand. You admire him. You have always admired him. But it doesn’t change what we are.”
Everything in me wants to interject for Kassandra, but I cannot pretend to understand their ways, their culture, their traditions. Maybe Everly is right, and she only wants to protect her sister.
“I will marry him, Evie.” Determination grips Kassandra’s tone as she continues. “And you will stand proudly next to me because you care for me.”
Tears glisten in Everly’s eyes before she rubs them away with her sleeve. “You know I will.”
Our conversation shifts after that. They talk about what kind of dress Kassandra wants to wear, and who will do the sewing.
Everly’s words stay with me even after I journey home, wash, and change for bed.
As I lie on the mattress next to Gabriel, I think about what Everly said, and I think about those red circles.
Maybe Everly was right. Maybe being an outsider will prevent Kassandra from being happy with Luc.
Moonlight glistens through the window before I roll to my side and speak to Gabriel. “Will Luc suffer backlash for marrying Kassandra?”
Gabriel shifts next to me. “Why?”
“Earlier today, Everly was concerned about Kassandra’s decision to wed Luc.”
“It’s not done,” Gabriel says in a plain voice. “People like Luc don’t marry outsiders.”
