The Flight of the Eagle (Editing)

The Exchange

Only three Clans reminded at GoldenGale and the way Clan Massey and my Clan seemed to surround the castle felt ominous, like they were trying to trap the High Family. Or maybe what the High Lady had said was getting to me.

I wasn't sure anymore.

The High Family was all standing on the front lawn facing my family, minus me, of course. Even now, they still didn't reach out to make me feel like part of the family after all I had done. I had not even protested the marriage to Lord Jaser. But they knew they'd won, so what did it matter? I'd fallen in line just like they'd always hoped I would.

It was cloudy; a thick cloud that looked like an open book hid the sun. Lord Jaser took my hand. "You look stunning." He said into my ear. "Even more lovely than I imagined."

"Thank you," I said as his lips landed on mine, stealing a deep but quick kiss. I could get used to kissing him, get used to his hands on my body, but would I ever crave his touch? Would I ever really enjoy it?

"Let the Exchange begin!" The High Lord said, his voice thundering throughout our Clans. He wore a black robe that covered his muscular frame. Even in his older age, I knew he could still be as wild as his son, who was boring holes into Lord Jaser. "What would Clan Raine ask of us?"

"We ask for your best steed." My father bowed his head, "We shall treat him like our own."

"That sounds fair." The High Lady agreed, "He shall be yours by midday."

"What would Clan Sullivan ask of us?" My father asked, standing tall next to my mother, his arm around her waist.

They looked like the perfect little family with my sister right by their side, a smile on her face. Pain rushed through my chest at the thought. They looked more like a family without me.

Why was I not good enough? I'd done everything they'd ever asked of me. Even when it meant my life was on the line. Still, they sold me to a life they knew would kill me at the first chance.

"I want Lady Sapphire." The young High Lord's voice carried just as well as his father's had. "We shall treat her just like our own."

Jaser's grip on my hand tightened till it hurt. I tugged away, but he held me. Darkness in his eyes.

"She shall spend her days with us but return to you at night if she chooses." He added, looking over at me. A smirk on his lips.

"A person offered in the Exchange?" My father laughed. "That's never been done. Not proper."

"Why not? When she's treated like cattle, anyway." High Lady Eira spoke for the first time. "Seems proper to me."

My family turned to look at me, but I was still trying to get Lord Jaser to realize my hand. "Please." I whispered to him, "You're hurting me."

"I won't allow it." Lord Jaser called out, pulling me behind him, "She will be my bride. She doesn't even belong to Clan Raine anymore."

"You're not married yet." High Lady Eria raised an eyebrow. "She's still Clan Raine."

It was nice to know that everyone seemed to think of me as less than a person. I narrowed my eyes at the young High Lord and Lady. For all their talk... I pulled my hand roughly from Lord Jaser's, rubbing it behind my back where none could see.

My father shared a look at Lord Jaser before nodding, "Agreed. She will be yours for the week." Lovely that I didn't even get a say in the entire process. "Go with them."

Lord Jaser grabbed my hand. "Please be careful." He whispered to me, "Don't trust them."

"I don't trust anyone." I pulled my hand away. "Won't start now." Walking over, I joined High Lady Eira, looking out at my family. No, they weren't a family. Family loved and cared for each other. They'd never been a family to me.