My sister catches my eye.
Returning her smile takes a lot of effort, but I’m able to do it. But my lips crack under the pressure.
“Aida! Come and join us. We’re heading to the nearby springs,” Delina says, her tone heightened with pleasure. “This weather is making me sweat.”
I stop rolling the net over my arm, pushing my worries deep inside.
Delina’s curves, her long, dark hair, and her shadowed eyes of kohl are slanted with mirth. She still wears the precious gold shells from her mating dress. Leith is behind her, holding a basket of fruits, small pots, and folded cloths for drying. But it’s my little sister my eyes linger on.
I’d wear them still too if I were in her place. It’s an honor to wear the rare gold shells. She’s beautiful in them.
“I can’t.” For so many reasons. I lift my arm with the net. “We need more fish for tonight’s feast in honor of your mating,” I say. “For the energy you and Leith will need in the coming weeks,” I add thickly. It’s not exactly the truth, but it’s not a lie either.
Delina pouts. “Who will be our lookout if Leith and I rut?”
My nostrils flare, and Delina’s mouth tightens, noticing. She knows I was to be Leith’s mate, not her, but she pretends she doesn’t—that she’s forgotten my years of training, the honors and responsibilities the elders bestowed upon me.
When I don’t give in, she sighs. “Fine. You’re no fun. Leith will protect us anyway. Right, Leith?” she asks, turning to him.
He grins and shakes his shoulders, making the spear strapped to his back wiggle. “Of course. I have the biggest spear of all, and my aim is always true… and relentless,” he answers lasciviously, eyeing my sister’s skirt, where her thighs meet beneath.
Delina laughs, shoves him, and takes the basket from his arms.
Leith brandishes a bone knife before them and grips it in his mouth, pulling his spear out next—the weapon, thankfully—and jabs it several times in the air as if he’s stabbing a jungle ape. More laughter follows, some of it from our tribemates nearby.
When Delina and Leith head off, bawdy jokes follow.
Watching them leave, the stiffness in my shoulders eases. I’m happy for my sister, but I can’t help the sorrow within me. What’s wrong with me?
Placing one hand on the net now rolled on my arm, one thought fills my head. I’m the strongest, youngest huntress in my tribe. I’ve protected my people and our lands for years, showing my worth, exceeding the elder’s expectations. I straighten.
They may have taken Leith from me, robbed me of the future I dreamed of since childhood, but I will prove to them it doesn’t matter.
I’ll find a dragon, hunt him down, touch his hide… I’ll seek my own mate to save my people from extinction.
It’s what I’ve been born to do, what I’ve trained for.
Excitement fills me.
I’ll find a mate worthy of me, of my people. My lips dare to lift into a smile.
I pivot back to the job at hand—preparing for the hunt—when I find my mother standing behind me, her face sharp with disappointment. My smile dies.
“You should’ve gone with them.”
“I have chores to complete.” I try to move past her before all my excitement fades. Before she can say more.
She grabs my arm, wringing me to face her. “And if they are hurt? Who will be to blame?”
“The tribe,” I hiss. “Anyone can guard them. Why does it have to be me?”
“Aida! You are kindred! Leith is your brother now, and he brings power to our family, our bloodline. We are and always should be the first line of defense between Delina and Leith and the rest of the world. It is our duty. The tribe cares for us while we take on that responsibility!”
I jerk my arm out of my mother’s grip. “It is not the responsibility I’ve trained for.”
I know how I sound, I know… but I can’t help it. I can’t take on this responsibility yet. How much more do I have to prove?
“You are selfish, daughter. You are one of the strongest left among us. You should be honored with this new path.”
Flinching, I take a step back. And there it is, the reason I can barely make myself laugh or smile. It’s not because Leith is no longer mine—I don’t even find him all that attractive—but the discarded sensation I get every time Delina or my duties—my honor—is brought up.
“I should be honored, shouldn’t I?” I say. “But you make it hard for me to feel anything but rejection.” She opens her mouth to argue but I cut her off. “I have given my whole life for my people. I have done everything you demanded—I have become strong and capable, foregoing childhood fantasy because the elders deemed me a match for the last male born along the Mermaid Coast. And now, Delina does nothing but come of age, and she is given something I have worked so tirelessly for. With no explanation but ‘she appears more fertile, has childbearing hips.’ I should be honored, but I cannot make it happen.”
“Aida…” Mother’s face falls, and that hurts me worse than her disappointment.
“Don’t, please.” I pivot to walk away, unable to bear her any longer. “Give me more time. I need time,” I say hurriedly, heading for the lift down from the rocks to the beach.
“Aida!” she calls after me, making me wish there was an easier way to escape. “I know you are prepping supplies.”
I stop at the lift’s lever and wrench my eyes closed.
“I know your head is filled with fancies of dragons,” she says, cutting into my excitement. She walks up behind me, her hand taking mine from behind and squeezing it. “I know you’re preparing to go out and find one for yourself. Face me,
