I FEEL MY HAPPINESS in my feet. My left foot wants to keep me here in Pado’s arms, a girl forever. My right foot wants to dance me away to Belet’s wedding and then on to my own.
Mati hugs me too. She and Pado are speaking over each other. Mati is saying, “You were such a sweet baby.” Pado is saying, “Admat is good to us.”
Footsteps and the thump of a cane ring across the reception room. I hear Nia’s protests. “No, Mistress. Please, Mistress.”
“If there is trouble, I will share it. They can’t mean to keep me out.”
Pado’s arms stiffen. Mati’s nails dig into my shoulder as Aunt Fedo enters the courtyard with Nia tugging at her shawl.
Aunt Fedo pulls the shawl away. “Stop that!”
Nia goes to the altar, where she mutters prayers.
Aunt Fedo rushes at us, waving her cane. “My sister is sick, and no one sends for me. My sister recovers, and she doesn’t tell me.”
Pado backs away, but he can’t leave the courtyard to escape his oath. If he does, he will break it, and Admat’s wrath will be upon us.
“What is wrong, Sister? Why is Nia—”
“We’re fine,” Mati says. “We only wanted peace for—”
“Peace from me?” Aunt Fedo is insulted. Then she relaxes. “Oh. You thought I was away. I returned this morning and learned you’d been ill.” She turns to Pado. “Brother—”
“Aunt Fedo!” I dance in front of her. “See my new tunic! I’m to wear it to the wedding.”
“Stand back. Let me look.”
I force my knees to support me and make myself smile.
“Turn around for me, slowly.”
It’s almost impossible to do anything slowly.
“Oh, Kezi.” Aunt Fedo places her hand over her heart. “You’ve grown up. Yesterday you were this big.” She lowers her hand. “Today a dozen men will want to marry you.” She faces Mati and Pado. “So, Sister and Brother—”
Mati jumps in. “Do you think I should have used another wool on the sash?”
“Why does everyone keep interrupting me? Except Senat.”
I’m thinking she doesn’t know about the oath and I do. I’m not thinking that I would rather die myself. I’m thinking she rescued me from the snake’s bite.
“Brother, you are to be—”
“Pado! Pado, congratulations on Mati’s recovery.” Admat! My knees buckle, and I faint.