Istare into her eyes, into the pain there, and I feel it ricocheting through me. My sister, my strong, vibrant sister, who is so deeply in love, about to be married, and start the family she always wanted. She’s the girl who never did anything wrong, followed the laws—unlike me, who broke them—and who has never even been punished…and it was all for nothing.
She is to be sacrificed to the monsters to appease them.
For the hunt.
I know the girls are chosen at random, but anger—no, fury roars through me. Not her! Anyone but her! My eyes flick to Father, who is smirking at me. Even though Kai would marry well and bring in a good dowry, being chosen for the hunt will offer him a lifetime of gold and food. He will never have to work again, and our family will be looked after.
Well, just him.
No.
I must say it out loud, because his eyes flash in warning, but I rush to Kai’s side, drop to my knees, and take her hand, searching her eyes. I’m practically begging her with my gaze to tell me what to do. Even though she’s older and supposed to protect me, it’s my job to protect her.
“No, not you, Kai. There must be a mistake!” I shout, whirling to Mother. “Help her!”
She’s not listening. Father is through with my outburst, however, so he grabs my hair, making me cry out as he drags me into my room and kicks the door shut behind him. The last thing I see is Kai’s heartbroken eyes as her shoulders shake from the force of her sobs.
Swallowing, I look up at my father. “Do whatever you have to do. Punish me, kill me, but please save her!” I get to my knees and beg—the only time I ever have and will. “Please, Father. We have never asked you for anything, so please save her. You know she’s the best of us.”
“She will honor our family and her king. It is a gift to be chosen,” he snarls, his belt sticking as he pulls it free from his pants. Terror for a different reason fills me, but still I surge ahead.
“Please—”
“Enough, girl! You will learn your place. With your sister gone, you’ll marry well and fast. You will honor us. Enough of this disobedience I’ve let you get away with. It will stop now, with this.”
His belt lashes across my skin, but it barely causes any pain, not when my heart is already broken and my soul is ripping apart at the thought of losing my sister.
He stops at five, a blessing from him, and when I glance down at my thighs, I see they are simply red and stinging, the skin unbroken. He kicks open the door and storms out of the shack, no doubt to get drunk. With my head bowed forward, I let the tears break free.
I scream and rage, hitting my fists against the floor until they bleed.
I am angry at the world.
Angry at the king.
At our father.
At everyone.
* * *
Kaiand I huddle together all night. I hold her and kiss her head, stroking her hair. I sing to her, tell her stories, and assure her it will all be okay, and when she finally falls asleep, I stare down at her pale, grief-stricken face that’s twisted, even in her sleep.
I can’t let her do this. She’ll be sacrificed to the Dead Lands, and we all know what will happen. I will lose my sister. She is the only good thing in my life, the only reason I haven’t given into my desires, set fire to this entire place, and run away into the lands beyond.
She’s my hope, the one pure thing in my existence.
I’m her younger sister, but I always promised to protect her.
“It hurts,” Kai whimpers, curling into me, her young face streaked with tears as she shakes from the pain. She was lashed today for asking a question she shouldn’t have. One lash was all they managed before I stepped before her and took the punishment. Even now, my back smarts from the lashes.
“I know,” I whisper softly so Father doesn’t hear and punish her further for crying. Scooping the healing paste I stole from Father from the container, I slather it across the slash on her back, not wanting it to scar or hurt. There’s none left for me, but that doesn’t matter as long as she’s okay. “It’s okay, Kai Bear, it will stop hurting now.” She cries harder, and I wrap my arm around her. “Shh, no. No one will touch you again, not ever. I will always protect you.”
She lifts her tear-stained face, and her big eyes lock on mine. “Promise?”
“Promise,” I murmur, holding her tighter.
Staring down at her now, I can’t help but remember my promise to her. “I’ll always protect you, remember?” I whisper, kissing her forehead and lingering there. “Even from this.” Slowly, I slide out from under her, tuck her in, and then brush her hair out of her face. “I love you, sister. Earn this life for me and be happy. Get married, have a family, and give them hell.” Swallowing back everything else I wish to say, I force myself to stand.
