“You will regret this, Malia. I promise you that.”
Aria’s words hung in the air long after she said them.
She stood a few steps away, her eyes fixed on me with a hatred I had never seen before.
This was different.
For the first time in my life, I felt threatened by my own younger sister.
I wanted to tell her I never asked for any of this. That I had been dragged here because our parents decided I was easier to sacrifice.
But I was too tired.
My body ached, my neck burned, and my mind was still trying to understand how one night could destroy so much.
The eldest elder raised his hand.
“That is enough. The ceremony is over. Everyone return to your homes.”
The crowd slowly began to move.
Whispers followed me from every direction.
Aria’s parents hurried toward her. My mother grabbe
