“And once those bombs are spent, he will have more weapons assembled, so he will do it again and again until all that remains is an oily charred pile of rock. Send me home.” I could feel the tears run down my face. If this was my last opportunity to beg for my return, I would leave nothing unsaid.
The faces of the council members were heavy with thought. They moved to the farthest corner of the tent and began to deliberate. I sat back on my chair and stared at Noah. I could picture pulling a hidden knife from my bedsheets and slitting his throat while he slept. I would have to make him trust me before I could exact the justice he deserved. The thought made my stomach sour, and I had to turn away from him.
“Everything's going to be okay,” Zeke ran his hand back and forth across my back. A warm ripple of contentment melted down my spine. I enjoy his touch much more than I should.
“I suppose your right, one way or another, it will all be over soon. I don't want you harmed, Zeke. Help me get back where I belong.”
“You would keep me safe, but you won't stay with me?” Zeke chuckled and moved his hand to my shoulder.
“Might not be fair for me to say it, but it's the truth. How's this, I won't stay, and then you'll all be safe.”
“The walk back is long and dangerous. You won't make it back by yourself.” He stated as if it were fact.
I shook my head in disagreement. “I'll make it back.”
“How can you be so sure?” Zeke scoffed.
“Because you will make sure I have everything I need.” It had been a long day. I could see in Zeke's eyes just how invested he had become in me choosing him. I felt such pity and guilt. If I could split myself in two and leave one half with Zeke and send the other home to my family, I would, but I can't.
A small woman burst into the tent and walked quickly over to the group deciding my fate. She spoke briefly and then produced a small piece of white paper from her pocket. One by one, the people in the Council of four nodded their heads to their spokesperson.
An older man stepped forward. “By unanimous vote, it is declared that Karine shall be given to Ezekiel Prowe and the family Prowe to satisfy the cultural bond of unity within our clans.” He walked to the back of the group and coaxed the next speaker forward.
“It is further declared that this woman shall be allowed to return to her place of origin at sundown tomorrow. If she chooses to leave, she may not return without the consent of the Prowe family elder. If she chooses to stay, she will conform to all rules and clan customs immediately.” The woman looked at me with hard eyes and rigid posture. This was a onetime offer.
Zeke took my hand in his and led me out of the Council tent. I lowered my head as I passed the crowd of onlookers. Under other circumstances, I may have accepted their offer of family and purpose, but I don't have that luxury. We walked until we stood out in the night air alone.
“I feel like I've known you for years, but it's only been a few days, a few hours of conversation. I don't understand how someone who was a stranger a few days ago can be so familiar to me today?” Zeke looked at me as if he was looking at me for the first time. “Karine, say something.”
“Some people have a connection right away. I think that's all that happened to us. This situation was so violent and strange. I needed a friend, and maybe you were a little bored before I showed up.”
“No, I was content and too busy to think about what I didn't have.” Zeke was animated as he spoke. The realization that he wasn’t going to get his way showed like pain in his eyes. “I want you to stay with me. I want you to survive and have a good life here with me, as my wife. You don’t need to go home. We’re leaving this area tomorrow. Come with me.” His raw honesty brought tears to my eyes.
“I stay, and no one has a life. You understand that fact, don't you? I'm not lying or exaggerating the threat. My government will authorize genocide on your people if I don't go home.” Zeke grabbed my hand and held it to his face. “There must be another way. You can’t just vanish back into the city.”
IT WILL BE FIRE
Through the fire, you shall travel. Think only of your love for me, and I shall meet you in the fresh morning air with my arms wide and all my burdens removed. This old poem is chiseled on the wall of our town's celebration hall.
I never realized how dark the meaning was until I watched my grandparent's say goodbye to everyone at their end of life celebration. My grandmother chose to travel through the fire to meet my grandfather on the other side, not knowing what she would find.
My temporary family brought me to their home. Zeke and I were officially betrothed in the presence of all the clan and household members. I was given the ring of the first wife, a thick band of gold wrapped tightly with a ribbon of white silk.
Tradition states that once the silk falls away from the ring, wedding preparations would begin. This Is a new tradition to me, but the ceremony of giving the ring seemed to mean a great deal to the Prowe family. I accepted the ring with a smile and shared a real kiss with Zeke in full view of everyone watching.
After a moment of his lips on mine, it
