Page 2 of The Pacifist
My dad was pulling off his thin protective gloves. “We know. We were there when you were born, remember?” He smiled down at Dina and Aubri. “That’s a beautiful braid.”
I didn’t hear their response because my eyes were glued on Mason, who attacked Laura without a trace of fear. She rewarded him with a counterattack and rained punches down on him.
“Mason, demand your space,” Magni instructed and instantly, the boy moved forward, forcing Laura back.
“Whose side are you on?” Laura huffed out while moving.
“Sorry, hon.” Magni chuckled next to me and it made me smile. My dad was handsome and exuded such strength and safety that it always soothed me to be near him.
“Mila, sweetie, don’t worry about what Mason said about your tournament. It’s rare for anyone to die in fights nowadays. You’ll be fine.”
“But I don’t want a tournament.”
He frowned down at me. “Of course you do. We’ve talked about it. A tournament is the only way to make sure you get the strongest protector as a husband. Your mom couldn’t wait to have her tournament. It’s a highlight in a woman’s life.”
I fiddled with my earlobe avoiding his gaze.
“I know you’re not ready to get married yet, but in a few years, you will be.” With a soft movement, my dad moved a lock of my hair away from my face. “You should marry on your birthday in two years. Then you’ll be twenty-two. That’s a perfect age to get married.”
I agreed, but the violence that came with a tournament made me look away.
“What? You don’t believe you’ll be ready in two years?”
Giving a loud sigh, I met his eyes. “The violence at a tournament is as appealing to me as it would be for you to wear beads in your beard."
Magni snorted. “Don’t say shit like that.” He looked down at my sisters. “Beads are for pretty Momsi men, not us badass Nmen warriors. Isn’t that right, girls?”
They nodded.
“I’m sorry, Dad, but it’s the Motlander part of me that objects to the concept of a tournament. What if someone got hurt? It would be on my conscience.”
“No, it wouldn’t.” He placed a strong hand on my shoulder. “Mila, you’re a Northlander now and my daughter. These are our traditions.”
I looked down. “I know, but tournaments don’t feel right to me. Marrying a stranger would be awkward.”
For a moment we stood in silence watching Laura push Mason to his limit in the boxing ring.
“He’s a good fighter,” I commented.
Magni squared his shoulders with pride. “Yes, he is!” Putting his arm around me, he pulled me into his side and called out to Laura. “Use more force. Mason can take it.”
Mason kept his hands up to block our mother’s punches.
“That’s it, my boy. Use your feet and fight back. You’ve got this.”
Magni grinned when Mason moved out of Laura’s reach and kicked at her. With a wink to me, he muttered, “Someday, his mad fighting skills will serve him when he fights for his bride.”
I knew it was his way of coming back to the subject of my having a bridal tournament and without thinking it through, I sighed and said, “Tell you what, Dad, I’ll make you a bet. If you wear at least one bead in your beard for a full year, I’ll have a bridal tournament.”
It was impossible not to burst into laughter with the grimace of disgust that Magni produced. “Exactly! So let’s not talk about it anymore. Deal?”
I had expected Magni to laugh with me, but he narrowed his eyes a little. “Hang on a second. You’re saying that if I wear a bead in my beard for a year, you’ll let the strongest warriors in our country fight for you.”
I was still smiling. “Sure, but we both know you wouldneverdo that.”
“Bet accepted!” His eyes shone with a determination that washed away my smile.
“Dad, no, I didn’t mean it. It was just a stupid bet.”
