Yet as he stares at me in silence for several beats, I’m reminded once again that none of this is normal. Least of all my reaction to being forced into a marriage at the threat of harm to my loved ones. I should’ve been more disturbed as I watched my fiancé’s life leave his body. I should’ve put up more of a fight when his murderer asked for—no, took—my hand. Should’ve scraped and kicked my way out of it, the way Papà taught me. The way I know Kal would have if the situation were reversed.
