Book 3: Wrong

Hollis

My plan to act like I actually believe Eva is going to be my wife is going great—except for the fact that I basically haven’t slept since I started it because my mark hurts so Goddess-damned bad. That’ll fade. I know it will. Because I do believe Eva’s going to be my wife. It’s what everyone expects, what they need. Even Mother would be proud.

The next afternoon, Father clears his throat as I’m headed out to meet Eva.

“Yes?” I pause at the mouth of our tent.

“You think I don’t notice.” He grunts. “I notice. The whole camp buzzes. You and Eva, going around not just like friends. Like sweethearts.”

I told Zain to make sure people knew about it. I figured it might overtake some of the talk about Candace. It absolutely hasn’t, but at least it’s doing something. A sparkle of what I might call pride shines in Father’s eyes.

“Next Haze, all your waiting will end,” he says. “Until then, give her this.”

He slides a narrow, dar