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“Why would he look lesser for dating someone more attractive than hi hiratulations”

“I don’t know I can only assu to do with Jedrek, this dickface in the village He wants to mate me mostly because ofabout this for a while I bet he spread ruile No offense”

“I wouldn’t have gotten far if I took offense every time someone spoke the truth”

I laughed, trailingannoys me Everyone’s one and only compliet to be”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m so much more than my appearance We all are I’e I’e— remedies people use, not to mention the one that keeps their fa pretty It feels like, in this village, if you’re beautiful, you’ve reached the highest level of achieveiven to me and that I didn’t work for or have any choice in And if you aren’t perceived as beautiful, or if you don’t play up your beauty, you’re constantly told ways to fix yourself to look better—hair,because someone else doesn’t like us the e are As if we should care what others think over e think of ourselves It’s bullshit”

He didn’t respond I heaved out a sigh

“I want to be known for what I do, not how I look I want to be praised for e, I feel like all I a uess”

“You will have it,” he whispered, and I could tell his strength was failing his, Finley Things this kingdoe, and you will fly”

16

I blinked hlighted dust h the air of my rooain Happy to have gotten to see my family

It tookat me

A shock of panic htless gaze Thinking he’d died between the ti and now He blinked, though, and resumed his stare

I eased back to relax onhim

“How do you feel?” I asked, bone-weary and es, and rest, and I’d gotten everything but the last

“How do you feel?”

“Great I didn’t alh Mostly because you saved me”