Their father believed that brilliance and beauty were the most important attributes in the daughter he’d select. That she be the girl who’d shown the most acumen for combat and strategy. The girl who’d shown the most talent in the arts of the bedroom. He’d thought he’d known which traits mattered most—but he’d forgotten one. Sarhina stiffened next to her. I’m sorry, Lara silently whispered to her sisters. Then Sarhina’s body began to spasm. I pray that you’ll all find the freedom you deserve. The soup spoon in Sarhina’s hand went flying across the table, but none of the other girls noticed.
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