Spirit's Oath by Rachel Aaron

Author:Rachel Aaron
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781405520829
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2013-01-26T00:35:37.575000+00:00

* * *

Miranda spent the rest of the day trying to convince people she wasn’t going to marry Martin Hapter. Unfortunately, no one was listening.

“How is my opinion the only one that doesn’t matter?” she shouted, fending off her mother, who was trying to fit a bridal crown over Miranda’s head. “I’m the one getting married!”

“You’ve had your way for years,” Alma said, slapping Miranda’s warding hands. “It’s time to let someone else have a say. Honestly, are you even capable of thinking of others?”

“I’ve given my life to protecting others!” Miranda cried, retreating toward the corner. “I’m a Spiritualist. Do you even know what we do?”

“Make a spectacle of yourselves, from what I’ve seen,” Alma said, slamming her hands on her hips. “You’re getting married tomorrow and that’s that. Everyone’s already invited.”

“By you!” Miranda said. “All of this was your doing! I refuse to accept any fault, and I absolutely refuse to get married tomorrow or ever.”

Alma threw up her hands and glared at Tima, who was sitting pale-faced in the corner.

“Miranda,” Tima said. “Really, there’s no use fighting it. It’ll go easier for everyone if you just make the best of things.”

“Maybe you can do that, Tima,” Miranda said, glaring at her sister. “But I’m not going to roll over just because she says so.” Her glare shifted to her mother. “Wasn’t that why you left me with the Spiritualists for so long? So I wouldn’t be around to back talk you?”

“You were the one who wanted to be a Spiritualist,” Alma said, crossing her arms over her chest. “From the moment you could talk, all I heard was Spiritualist this and Spiritualist that. And kind fool that I am, I let you be one for years, but it’s time to stop playing, Miranda. It’s a woman’s duty to get married for the good of her family. I did it, Tima did it, and now it’s your turn.”

Miranda pulled herself up with an angry breath. “My duty lies with my oaths, not this sham of a family that sells out its own flesh and blood for a big house!”

Alma’s lovely green eyes narrowed to slits. “You ungrateful child,” she growled. “But say whatever you like, you are getting married to Martin Hapter tomorrow, and you will behave yourself like a lady. Now”—she thrust the bridal crown at Tima—“I have to go check with Mr. Hapter on the preparations for the engagement ball tonight. I expect you to be dressed and ready by sundown.”

“You can expect whatever you want,” Miranda cried. “I’m not going to that, either!”

But Alma was already out the door, locking it behind her with an angry click. Miranda stared at the door for a moment and then threw herself down on the bed with a frustrated scream.

“Miranda,” Tima said, settling beside her and reaching over to rub her sister’s back. “I know it seems unfair. I reacted much the same way when they told me I’d be marrying Javier.”

“Tima,” Miranda said into the pillows, “I’ve never heard you raise your voice, not even when you broke your finger.

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