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courtyard. Merem sits at her own loom, and Senat sits at Kezi’s.
    She must be clothed by now. I glance into her room, prepared to look away, but there’s no need. She is holding her round copper mirror and tilting it this way and that to view angles of herself in the tunic.
    She is lovely. Her skin is bronzed, a little oily, so she seems to shine. Her eyebrows, her lashes, and her hair are as dark as the Akkan walnut tree, but her eyes are the golden brown of autumn oak leaves. Her nose bulges a little at the end—an olive nose, Hannu would call it.
    Kezi’s jaw is narrow, but her cheeks are rounded. I think of kissing her cheek and then her lips.
    The impulse surprises me. My brother Lumar chases after mortal women, but I don’t.
    She returns to the courtyard, where her parents beam as she enters.
    â€œThank you for the finest tunic in Hyte.”
    â€œI should have used a different dye for the sash.”
    â€œThe purple is perfect.” Kezi turns for them, a slow dance step. “Is the fit right?”
    Merem cries, “You’re so pretty!”
    Kezi blushes.
    â€œKezi,” Senat says, “your mati tells me you’re fond of that boy Elon.”
    Even Kezi’s bare arms flood with pink.
    â€œWhen this is over”—Senat waves his arm; this is the three-day oath—“I’ll take the boy out to the fields, see what he knows about crops and channeling the river, see if he’s worthy of a beloved daughter. Then . . .” He holds out his arms.
    Kezi slips into the embrace.
    Senat says into her hair, “. . . we’ll see what his uncle offers.”
    â€œAh.” My voice startles me, brings me back to myself with the goats. She is on the cusp of transformation, from daughter to wife, a milestone on the mortal road.
    They are soap bubbles. Why do I care what happens next? But my eyes return to her.

10

    KEZI
    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.”
    â€œIf 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 hershawl.
    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.
    â€œWhat is wrong, Sister? Why is Nia—”
    â€œWe’re fine,” Mati says. “We only wanted peace for—”
    â€œPeace 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—”
    â€œAunt Fedo!” I dance in front of her. “See my new tunic! I’m to wear it to the wedding.”
    â€œStand back. Let me look.”
    I force my knees to support me and make myself smile.
    â€œTurn around for me, slowly.”
    It’s almost impossible to do anything slowly.
    â€œOh, Kezi.” Aunt Fedo places her hand over her heart. “You’ve grown up. Yesterday you were this big.” Shelowers 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