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One

“You will be going aiants—you must be brave”

“I will be—I do not fear them” Allara Ke’ta’nu lifted her chin proudly as her aunt continued dressing her long, indigo hair for the upco

The e, dark eyes, the same color as her hair, delicate features, and creaar cakes one offered to the Gods on Holy Days

The silver sheathe of her wedding gown eure ide hips that prolass shape that drew the eyes of every male who saw her Her breasts were likewise full and firhter of one of the Seven Great Houses of Q’ess

Allara was a beauty, and she knew it—not that it would do her any good

Had she been going to the Bride Auction with the other girls who cae this month, she would have fetched a pretty price for her bloodline as well as her beauty But that was not to be her fate From birth, another destiny had been decreed for her

“They are as tall as sen’ya trees, these Kindred,” her aunt continued “And as cruel as a wild fen’ror blooding their kill”

“All this, I know” Allara tried to keep the impatience from her voice—it was not seeeneration But she had heard these words—these warnings—since childhood They had long been druain nohen the hour was almost upon her

“Listen toher by the chin and forcing Allara’s eyes up to htly! The honor of our fairl! It was in our house that the Blood Feud started, three and thirty generations ago And with our house must it end—by your hand!”

“And well I know it!” Allara flared, forgetting for once to be dutiful to her elders “For have you and my father not told me since my earliest memories? I willthe honor of the Seven Great Houses of Q’ess and satisfying the Blood Feud that started so enerations before, when they took my ancestress captive”

All this she said rapidly, alht Her destiny was set—it had been set since birth Because of this, fear had noto her All her life she had waited for this day—it was the day she would fulfill her purpose…and then die