"Karina - wake up! The lottery numbers are being posted in a few hours!!"
Niko's voice rings loud and excited in my ears.
The morning is bright and cool. The sun is actually shining today. And unless I'm going totally crazy, I feel like I can hear a few birds chirping.
They must be illusions. Still - what a stark contrast to the reality of things.
I suspect it's because today, we find out who gets to compete in Recruitment Day tomorrow. Some people's lives are about to change...forever. For better and for worse.
"Good morning Niko," I whisper softly, wincing at the shooting pain in my back from last night's lashings. Niko notices my discomfort and moves closer to me.
"Karina - your back! What happened to you? Did Sargon do this?"
I nod as a few fresh tears roll down my cheek. Niko leans in and gently wipes them away with his soft and sweet hands, planting a soft kiss in their place.
"I'm so sorry, Kishmish," he says to me, looking at me with those piercing green eyes of his that I never seem to be able to shake.
I both hate and love that he calls me this. Kishmish. Karina Ishma is my full name and for whatever reason, Niko decided so long ago when we first met here on Dard, when we were just little kids, that he would call me Kishmish.
It's what my father used to call me, before everything changed. But, I've never told Niko this.
He jumps up and with a burst of energy almost sings, "I'll bring you some stuff to clean up and then get dressed. I want to show you something before the lottery numbers are posted. We have just enough time."
"Sure, sounds great," I manage, with a weak smile.
YOU ARE READING
Star-Crossed
FantasyKarina is a slave on Dard, a planet that specializes in grueling physical labor. Though she was originally born into a wealthy business family on Shinar, the capital planet of the Seratona Galaxy, she was captured while vacationing with her family o...
