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But Makenna knew the spreader only offered a teirl needed when her ripening peaked—she also needed a ain If she couldn’t get the spreader out of her and convince Bard to change his , she was doomed

Don’t think like that, she ordered herself Don’t be so negative! Everything is going to work out Didn’t it work out before? You were so scared at the Pleasure House—so frightened of the day that Biter would come for you But you prayed to the Goddess of Mercy and she saved you—sent Bard to save you, anyway She sent not only a savior, but the h your ripening Surely she won’t let you do

Closing her eyes tightly, she prayed, whispering the words under her breath

“Goddess, please helpBard to saveis on h it Please…please help me!”

Then there was nothing else she could do So Makenna snuggled down in the et to sleep

11

In her dreams, she was back home on the farm she’d been born and raised on The baby euwekins were bleating happily as they trotted over the rolling blue pastures at theirtall and purple, near ready for harvesting Yet, even a all this plenty, her older brother, Pinchu, wasn’t happy—wasn’t happy at all

“Mother and Father left you on er at Makenna, his face twisting with anger and resentment “They left me a damn dud to take care of and support!”

“It’s not my fault I haven’t ripened yet!” Makenna protested “I will soon, I’m sure! And then I’ll be able to choose a suitor and leave the farm to you, if that’s what you want”

Though she secretly thought her brotheraround all day eating candies The farm was hard work and Makenna had never been one to shirk her duties She fed andthe house clean and cooking and cleaning after every meal

Anyone would think that Pinchu would be grateful to her but no—he just wanted her out of the house so he could have Blue Valley Ranch all to hireed to help Trenda of Green Folds Faret rid of Makenna

Well, I’ht man to help me, she told herself stubbornly Until then, Pinchu is stuck with me!

But her brother’s next words chilled her to the bone

“You’re never going to ripen—you’re already thirty cycles old and you’re as unripe as a girl of thirteen!” he exclairee to take you off my hands If you ripen—which I doubt—he’ll take you as a first wife If you don’t, he’ll keep you as a second wife and a laborer and you can live in the Seven Hills bunk house with the other duds and workers”

“What?” Makenna deht irl should wait until she started to ripen and then listen to her body! I can’t just go ht one!”

“Our Mother filled your head with a lot of nonsense,” Pinchu said, frowning at her severely “All that ‘waiting for the right man’ is ridiculous Prentor will do just fine for you, one way or another I doubt you’ll have to worry about it anyway—you’re already at least five years older thanYou’re clearly a dud”

“I am not a dud!” Makenna cried “Mother and Aunt Keena both ripened late And you can’t just sell et the farm all to yourself! What would Mother and Father think if they sa you’re treating me now?”

“They’d say it was about tiet on with —Prentor is co his euweks The e ceremony will be tomorrow and then—”

“What? You want ?” Makenna exclaih her first ripening before she could be wed That way, if theone, she had a chance to marry someone else—so cycle came on her