“But they’re not really going to hurt each other, are they?” Her eyes darted between all three of us.
“Of course they are.” Khan and Magni were leaving but on their way out Khan threw over his shoulder, “We’re not boys, Christina, we’remen.”
When the door closed behind them she turned to me. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that the games are bloody,” I said dryly.
“But surely there must be a non-violent way to settle this small detail.”
I didn’t tell her that it was no small detail when a woman chose her husband; it was better to leave that out. Clearly Khan didn’t want her to have the full picture of what choosing a protector meant.
“Have you ever participated?” she asked me.
I didn’t answer.
“Will you do it this time?”
Something was pulling at me. “Would you like me to?” I asked.
She played with the tip of her braid and looked thoughtful. “I don’t want you to get hurt or anything, but I wouldn’t mind you protecting me. You seem big and strong.”
It felt good to hear her say that but I knew she didn’t fully comprehend what she was asking of me.
“I’ll consider it,” I told her, but in reality, I’d already made up my mind. If there was a chance I could marry her, it would give me immense status and I would fight hard for the privilege.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “And if you decide to participate, make sure you win quickly because I’m eager to get this nonsense over with so I can get to work.”
“Of course.”
“Boulder, can you take me to see the digging site today?”
“No.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Possibly. Once Khan has made the announcement and everyone knows they’ll have a fair chance at winning your favor, I can take you outside.”
“And until then?”
“We stay in this room.”
“But what are we supposed to do here?” she asked.
A dirty idea came to mind, but I pushed it away and instead I asked, “Can you read?”
“Of course, I can read. Everyone can read in the Motherlands, and I already told you I’m a professor in history.”
“Then maybe you would enjoy a book.” I opened a cabinet to reveal four shelves with old books.
Her eyes immediately lit up and she came closer, looking positively giddy. “You have antique books here?”
“Yes,
“Any from the late nineteen-hundreds?”
“I don’t know – let’s see.” I was just about to pick out a book when she gave a small shriek.
“Don’t touch them.”
