Contract marriage: I am the daughter of my husband's enemy
Across the bed, Elara shifts softly in her sleep, and my attention snaps back to her immediately.
A small, faint smile touches her lips. I have the selfish desire, wishing it’s me she’s dreaming about.
Then tears slide slowly down her cheeks, and my chest tightens painfully.
Okay, please don’t be me.
The next day, I’m adjusting her pillow when she quietly starts to hum.
I freeze.
It’s soft and barely audible, but the melody punches straight through my chest. Something inside me lurches violently.
FLASH.
“...never shall we die.”
Lanterns, music, and people singing loudly.