When we arrived home, she brought me straight to our parents. They were sitting at the main table, looking out over the city, watching the sun begin its descent into the earth.
Mother spoke first, she always spoke first. "Nahkti, where have you been?"
"Mother, I was just out at the farms."
"Why?"
"I like it over there, it's relaxing."
I knew Ceri would join in and set this whole conversation ablaze. I hoped it would be later rather than sooner. This time, it was the latter.
Ceri spoke with disgust in her voice. "She's been getting close with a farmer boy."
Mother looked straight at me. "Is this true?"
Father had yet to move since I arrived. Still staring out over the city.
"Yes, um, but he's just a friend. You need not worry about him." I tried to protect him, I tried to protect us both.
Ceri scoffed. "I saw them. They let their lips touch and they hold hands. I assure you, they are not friends."
Following her comment was silence. Mother went back to her chair and sat down. Father still had not moved. I had never seen this kind of reaction from them. My breathing was heavy and quick.
"Mother… Father…" They did not respond. My secret life had been exposed. I couldn't hope to salvage it with a lie. I had to speak the truth. "His name is Finn and yes, we are more than friends. I've been afraid to tell you because I don't want you to be upset. But we can't control our feelings. We love each–"
My father interrupted me with a slam of his fist on the table. He stood up slowly, as if rising from a grave. The setting sun behind cast a vicious shadow upon him.
"Next week, you'll be sixteen." The first words my father spoke since I arrived. "We have already negotiated a fair deal for your husband. He's a great fighter. Like me, he's a knight. Son of the King's defence advisor. Our bloodline is long with warriors and it shall not be tainted with a farmer boy. The advisor's son will bring great honour to this family, something you've yet been able to accomplish."
That last sentence snapped something inside me. I wasn't going to allow him to ruin my life more so than he already had. They all had been working in tandem on such a mission. In that moment, I wasn't afraid to say it.
"No." The air between us froze, turning icier than what'd it'd already been. My lone word had brought about a shift in a moment, showing them that I planned to make my own decisions hereon.
"Speak again child," Father said.
My hands were shaking. I took a slow and quiet breath. "No, I won't marry him. I love Finn, and when I turn sixteen, I am moving to his farm and living with him." I couldn't believe I said it. I had only ever dreamed of it but never thought I could have the strength to say it in front of my family. A dreadful weight had been relinquished. My breathing calmed with the sense of relief.
The one word that initiated my moment of bravery was uttered right back to me. As quickly as it arrived, my bravery retreated.
"No."
Ceri followed Father's response with a swift kick to my leg. I fell to the ground. By the order of Father, she picked me up and carried me to my room. I was thrown in and the door was locked. I became a prisoner.