Page 18 of House of the Raven
“I’m not marrying Don Justo Medrano under any circumstances.”
He rubs his forehead and sighs. “At the moment, I’m not forcing you to do anything.”
“I’m not marrying him or any others,” I insist.
“That’s nonsense.” He comes in and sets his glass on the table. “I know you will do your duty.”
“Not like this.”
He frowns.
“I’m leaving, Father.”
The frown deepens. “What is this about now?”
“I’m leaving Nido. I can’t stay here to be smothered further. I’ve decided to live on my own, to carve my own path.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
I hold his gaze to make sure he sees my determination.
“I won’t allow it,” he declares.
“What are you going to do? Put me in a dungeon cell?”
“You’re being rash.”
I shake my head, and when I speak, my voice is calm. “I’ve thought about it carefully, and my mind is made up.”
“You can’t just abandon your responsibilities.”
“What responsibilities, Father? In your eyes, I’m incapable of handling the smallest of tasks.”
“Exactly. So how do you expect to survive out there?” He jerks his arm toward the balcony and points at the city.
A wave of sadness hits me. “When did you decide I was worthless? Was it when I saved your life?”
“Don’t put words in my mouth. I’ve never said you are worthless.”
“You don’t need to. Your actions speak for themselves.”
“I only seek to protect you.”
“From what? Life? Happiness? Because if that’s the case, you’re doing an outstanding job.”
His face turns red with anger. He opens his mouth to speak, to shout more likely, but I cut him off.
“I’m not here to argue with you. I’ve done enough of that. I just thought you should know.” I turn to leave.
“I won’t allow you to make such a terrible mistake.”
I face him again. “So you will put me behind bars then.”
He clenches his jaw.
Pressing my wrists together, I thrust my hands forward. “Put the shackles on yourself then, because if you stop me, that is exactly what you’ll be doing.”
His face contorts with distaste. It’s evident that the idea of personally retraining me is something he finds repulsive.
