Chapter 8: The Feast 2

He walked off then, going to get Perfect Portia while I took a gulp and watched him leave. It took seconds for the moaning to start. Then the gasping, the screaming, and then more moaning. My stomach turned at the noises. The other girls went quiet, enjoying their food in silence, drinking more wine as they pretended they couldn’t hear the noises. I looked up at the girl opposite me. Her face was pale, her hair dark, her eyes wide and transfixed on the doors. “Have a drink.” I pushed a cup toward her. She grabbed it and gulped it down, then nodded in thanks. “You’re from the Water village?” I asked, and she nodded again. “Are you excited for the picking ceremony tomorrow?” I tried to distract her. It worked, her eyes lighting up at that. “I have my dress picked out, and my mom bought some flowers from your village to put in my hair. I can’t wait. My dad visited me a fortnight ago and said he had arranged a suitor for me. He’s so handsome,” she rambled, and I tried to stay interested. I