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carried.
    Torkel released
Faye’s hand. He could refuse but people would always question his honor. They
would whisper that he cheated. Faye’s head tipped up, her brows raised in
question because the assembly spoke in their native language. Confusion
darkened her eyes but Torkel blocked his desire to soothe her. It was better to
remain distant in case she chose Axan. “I agree.”
    Faye looked
bewildered, her gaze going from him then back to the Commission.
    “Faye Reid, Axan
Bular has questioned the choosing. We ask you to choose again.” Conra used
Standard and Faye understood every word by the widening of her eyes.
    Her body brushed
against his, her fingers reaching out to Torkel but he kept his hands to his
side. At the brief look of disappointment on her face, his throat tightened.
Already his emotions were engaged.
    “Do I have to pick
him?”
    Her voice was
sweet. A different cadence compared to the guttural tones of Enotia. Torkel
could imagine it calming him at night as they spent the evenings together. He
would love to spend his down time with nothing but the gentle notes of this female’s
voice in his ears
    “You don’t have to
pick Torkel Alonson if there was a mistake.” Conra and the others frowned.
    Axan’s triumphant
smile spread over his mouth. “The female chose me.” He gripped her upper arm
but Faye pulled away and ducked to the other side of Torkel.
    Axan cursed and
made to follow.
    Torkel shifted his
weight, blocking Axan from pursuing her even as he mourned the brief moment of
happiness from thinking he’d finally found a woman to spend his life with.
    “Move aside,
Torkel. Allow me to claim my Chosen or forfeit your honor.”
    Anger burned in
his chest. All heard Axan’s challenge and people were on their feet. Some
screamed out Axan’s name, others hissed in Torkel’s direction but it was the
bright spark of red at the edge of his vision that caught his eye. The
distinctive red uniforms of Jutak warriors stood out among the browns and green
of the crowd. His friends and teammates pushed to the edge of the stone
barrier. Team One. He’d told them not to come.
    Torkel bowed his
head reluctantly. He would not cause a scene. “Of course, Axan.”
    He forced his feet
to move and cleared a path to the female he’d had if only for a moment.
Thickness coated his throat as he headed toward the exit. His team mates eyed
him with pity. They knew this was his last year for presentation and understood
his reasons for not wanting to participate again. Most of them were Enotians. Those
that weren’t at least had decent ancestry. He alone was of Marenian birth among
their ranks. All his life he’d fought the stereotype of his people yet in this
he would always be considered unwanted.
    “Hey. Wait!”
    Torkel ignored the
woman’s voice and walked faster.
    “You must return
the medallion, Torkel the unwanted,” Axan called out.
    Torkel paused at
the edges of the sand. His hand went to the medallion the female had placed
around his neck. Once he crossed the threshold it would be official. He would
no longer be eligible for choosing.
    Axan’s taunt was
meant to insight his anger. Maybe have him snap to prove he was an evil monster
like other Marenians. He’d never let Shaya and Marlin down by displaying the
behavior of a Marenian.
    “Get off, you oaf.
Torkel, please.”
    Torkel turned in
time to see Faye kick Axan in the leg and dodge his arms. She raced in his
direction, her hands gripping the hem of the cloak to lift it. Her feet slipped
and she went to her knees. Axan chased behind her and grabbed her by her loose
hair.
    It was her scream
that released him from his amazement at the tableau taking place in front of
him. His muscles began to swell and harden in preparation for battle.

Chapter 4
    Faye didn’t
understand what was going on and the man she’d Chosen barely glanced at her
when she questioned the proceedings. Why was it taking so long? The other women
had chosen and now