Seven Infinities Away From Home

FOURTEEN

 Hazel sat on her new bed, looking over her bandaged arms as she explored the memories from earlier. By her side was Nedoza, who talked on and on about the book she'd just read, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Hazel was clearly not paying attention. It turns out, however, that she noticed.

"You okay, Hazel?" Nedoza asked, sitting up straight.

"I'm just thinking, is all."

Hazel gave her friend a quick smile before returning to her blank gaze.

"About what?"

"Oh, nothing really," Hazel said, remembering Siyan's words, "I just don't do crowds."

Nedoza nodded in understanding.

"I feel you there, but sometimes it feels nice to sneak out and get some fresh air. This palace may feel big to you, but when you're trapped in here for your whole life... it gets rather boring."

"I can imagine."

Hazel rested her chin in her palm as she figured out her next words.

"What would happen if you got caught? Sneaking out, I mean?"

Nedoza's face lost a bit of its color and her near-white eyes went wide.

"I had to stand on the edge of Mount Giyalas on a windy day. I would have died if it weren't for Mother."

"Your mother?"

Tears formed in Nedoza's closing eyes.

"Father banished her after she rescued me," Nedoza explained, her voice shaky, "but I don't think she ever left this range. I think the mountain took her that day."

Hazel couldn't think of a response. Her mind was blank, and as she heard Nedoza's voice become more unstable, she began to feel tears of her own begin to fall down her cheek.

"Queen Kaidja hasn't been seen for nearly eighty years."

"How could the queen herself be banished?" Hazel wondered aloud.

"She was born a peasant. It was arranged, but if she was seen as a threat to the remains of the kingdom, she could be banished. Thus, she was."

Nedoza's face went blank.

"And the three-generation marriage cycle is 'cleansed' with me."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hazel demanded.

It seemed everything in this world was new to her. She moved her place on the bed, sitting cross-legged with her hands resting on her knees, ready to listen."

"Every three generations marks a cycle, and each generation's eventual partner is somewhat pre-determined at birth," Nedoza said, "the first generation marries a noble, the second marries a peasant, and the third 'cleanses the bloodline'. The eldest son must marry the eldest female cousin, or if the ages are too different, the eldest daughter."

Hazel froze.

"I am the eldest daughter, and last year marked my one hundredth year. I have no choice. When Father dies, he must propose, or the court will be angry."

Primitive, that's what it was. That's how Hazel described it to herself as Nedoza left the room, slamming the door behind her. Cleansing the bloodline? It was more like warping it to her. Come to think of it, that would explain the significant tension between her and Siyan which plagued them every time they were in a room together.

The sun's warm even rays shone through the bedroom window as it set below the mountains, obscuring the town in a premature darkness from the shadows cast by the tall summits. Hazel stared out the window which faced the town, sighing as she dreamed of being home. The castle was beautiful, yes, but even luxury felt wrong when she wasn't back with her three closest friends. Nedoza could try all she wanted, but she'd never replace Iain's jokes, nor Venice's laugh, nor Lauren's constant nagging.