Filed to story: The Chosen Saga Novel PDF Free
For tonight. Instead of running around in crappy shorts, wear this instead. Love Linc.
” She hugged the cloak to her. “Linc, it’s stunning.”
“The finest Ishta fur in the province.” He smiled. “There is more, keep going.”
“Lincoln, this is too much.” She placed the Ishta cloak down and pulled out the dress; underneath were black riding leathers accented in purple. “Linc! This had to cost a fortune, riding leathers. I can’t accept all of this.”
“If they don’t fit, I will take them. No need to waste quality on beggars.” Korine stood and snatched the leathers out of Araiya’s hands.
“No, Korine! These are for Rai. Get your grubby little claws off her gift.” Lincoln grabbed them back. “It is your birthday, Araiya, and you have put up with me my entire life. I have followed you endlessly. I know life hasn’t been the best towards you.” He glanced at his father and sister pointedly. “Araiya, you have made my life so much better just by being in it and being my first and most trustworthy friend. I worked hard to do this for you because you deserve to look beautiful today. That’s why I got the dress, but the leathers are special. They are Ishta leather, and they will always fit you. That’s the reason we got them designed for you.” Lincoln handed back the pants and reached in for the matching vest. “Ishta leather is special, made for combat and travel. They will fit any body type and grow or shrink to fit the owner as needed. Mom helped me.”
“He got you enchanted clothing to fit you,” Korine cackled.
Araiya turned to look at her mom with a sad smile. “Thank you both.”
“Hey now, do not do that. You are not fat, so get that thought out of your head and don’t lie and say it’s not.” Sonya glared at her. “We specifically got Ishta leather because you have fully developed into a woman. Your body has curves as it should. Don’t you dare look at yourself as ugly just because you aren’t thinner.” Sonya glanced at Korine and grimaced. “Women come in all shapes. They are meant to have curves, a softness. You are beautiful, plus they will stretch when you give me grandbabies.” Sonya smiled and winked at her, which caused the two of them to laugh.
“Look in the box; there is one more thing in there.” Araiya reached in and pulled out a pair of black and purple boots. Leather outside, fur-lined inside. Stunning and yet comfortable.
“Linc, all of this is too much.” Araiya teared up at the clothes.
“No, it’s perfect for today. I wanted you to feel beautiful on your birthday and look like a badass when you leave after getting chosen. You deserve to finally be treated as one of this family, at least once.”
“Lincoln, that is just nonsense. She has never been treated any differently than my children,” Jon replied. Everyone looked at him, and he coughed. “Anyways, Araiya, my gift is last. Here.” Jon handed her a red envelope. Araiya took it gently as Lincoln piled all his gifts into the box. She read the letter and slowly sat back down as the words sank in. She had to read it a second time to make sure she understood. She glanced up at Jon, staring at her with a smug smile. Linc and their mother were watching expectantly and slightly hopeful. She met their eyes as the tears started to build, and Lincoln’s hope was crushed. He had hoped that his father would finally give Rai something nice, but he could tell that the “gift” wasn’t good.
“So, what is it?” Mom asked hopefully.
She shook her head and slid the letter to her mother. Sonya picked it up and read it. Jon smiled like he was the most fantastic person, and Korine sat smugly in her chair. Sonya jumped so fast that her chair fell over with a bang, startling everyone. Araiya took deep breaths, trying to calm herself down.
“Is this a joke?” Sonya looked up from the letter.
“No, why would it be a joke? This is a good thing. I did this for her. Now she won’t have to work at the stables like some peasant. She will be able to have a life that she only dreamed of. She will be happy, won’t you, Araiya?” Jon beamed at Araiya.
“No.”
“No?” Jon’s smile disappeared.
“No!” Sonya yelled. “You can’t make her do this. I won’t allow this to happen, Jon. You don’t get to sell my daughter to the highest bidder. Her life isn’t a bargaining chip for your career. If you want a daughter to sell to the Fire magistrate, you have Korine, but Araiya isn’t for sale.” Sonya crumpled the letter and threw it away.
“You dare to suggest I do that to Korine? She is my daughter. She is completing her education!” Jon started to get louder.
“How dare you suggest that my daughter doesn’t need an education! I have put up with a lot, Jon. I have supported you through many decisions that impacted my daughter. I have even supported you in banning the children from participating in the Choosing, but I will not support this decision.”
“Mom, it is okay,” Araiya whispered. Her mother looked at her with fierce eyes, so she repeated herself. “Mom, sit down. Let’s enjoy breakfast. We all knew that today my life would change, so can we please, just enjoy this last meal together.” Her mother deflated and sat. She looked at her plate and started to cry silently. Linc looked at Araiya with a sad smile. Jon and Korine just looked as smug as possible.
“That’s the spirit, Araiya,” Jon stated as he continued to eat his meal. “Araiya, I originally wrote that letter two weeks ago. Since that time, we have received word from Donal. He doesn’t want to wait until tomorrow to see you. He is going to be spending the ritual with us. Since your brother has spent money on nice new clothes, you are to bathe after the stables. I have people coming to make up your mother and sister for the ritual tonight. You might as well get cleaned up to look as presentable as possible to meet your new fianc?.” Korine made a noise to disagree, but Jon silenced her with a look.
“Thank you, Jon. I will greatly appreciate the help.” She started eating her food, and her mother and brother stayed silent. Jon and Korine finished their food and got up to leave. As Jon was leaving the room, her mom stood and turned toward them.
“Jon, you may have arranged this marriage contract but mark my words, you will regret this decision.” Korine snorted and left the room.
Jon hesitated at the door. “My love.” He eventually left the room when she wouldn’t look at him or respond.
“Mom. Linc, before you start, I will be fine.” She looked to Linc, begging him with her eyes not to spill their secret. He nodded and looked towards their mother, who was still crying. “Mom, it is honestly okay. Mom, please look at me.” Her mother slowly looked up. Tears were falling down her cheeks. “Mom, I am okay. Please believe me when I say I knew today would change my life. Please be okay too. We can write to each other. Lincoln, can you please help her understand that this is not goodbye forever after I go. Just for right now.”
“Araiya, this isn’t what you want. I know it is not what you want, I have tried to give you the best in life that I possibly could, but this … This is just unacceptable. I will not allow you to go to the Fire province. I cannot. I can’t live knowing you were stuck there in a place you do not want to be.”
“Mom, it is going to be fine. I will figure something out, I promise. Let us just have the best day possible together. I will go and finish my chores in the stables. We can get ready together for the ritual. We are going to have the best night ever. This is what I want most for my birthday, just to have an amazing day with you and Linc,” Araiya pleaded with her mother.
Her mother dried her tears and gave her a sad smile. She got up from the table and gave both her children a kiss. “That is perfect. I just remembered I have an errand to run quickly. I am going to get ready. You two finish your breakfast.” With that, she left the room, leaving Linc and Araiya in silence.
Araiya ran with Linc to the barn, he had to milk the cow, and she just had to grab the feed for the horses. While Linc started on the cow, Araiya heard voices coming from the back of the house. She ran to the loft and saw Jon and Korine through the oak tree branches. They seemed to be fighting again. Korine looked like she was about to cry, and Jon was stiff. Araiya jumped from the barn’s loft window to the tree branch closest and climbed across the tree to get closer. After this morning and that fucking joke of a letter, she needed to hear what they were fighting about.
“You got what you wanted, Korine. Araiya will be out of the way tonight. After the Choosing, she will be gone. Far away from here! Stop complaining!”
“No! She can still become Chosen and escape! I demand it. I don’t want her to. She deserves to be miserable, Father! You fucking better make sure she doesn’t get chosen and has to go through with the arrangement or so help the Goddess and me.”