Kaye didn’t know what she expected Kindra to do after so long, but walking away was never something she imagined. She started after her sister, but Monk put his arm out. “Don’t.”

“But…”

He shook his head. “Trust me. You picked the worst day to return."

Kaye watched her sister disappear between the tents, the glares of the tribe following her. The fire circle was being decorated for a celebration, although the mood of the tribe wasn’t celebratory, and Kaye's cot was covered with clothing and weapons and jewelry. “What is all this?”

Monk grabbed her arm and walked her back inside. He didn’t let go until the door flap closed behind them.

“These,” he swept his hand over her cot, “are wedding preparations.”

The words rang hollow in Kaye’s ears. “Kindra’s getting married?”

“Tomorrow.”

“But,” Kaye looked at the things on the cot. “But these things…”

“Are Obsidian.”

“No,” Kaye breathed. All winter she’d feared Obsid’s retribution. She thought he would destroy the Seven Tribes, but it was worse than that. He was going to kill Kindra in Kaye’s place.

She sat heavily on Kindra’s cot, but stood and grabbed what she sat on. It was a flute—well-made and carved with powerful symbols. She turned it over in her hands.

“Gar’s flute,” Monk said.

Kaye traced the pattern as her heart broke for them both. Gar’s flute, but an Obsidian wedding. “They can’t make her take my place.”

Monk laughed, a sarcastic, bitter sound. “No one makes Kindra do anything. She offered herself as payment for the freedom of the Seven Tribes.”

“Freedom? Because of what I did?”

Monk shook his head. “Oak sold us to the Obsidians before the battle for Deer Valley. He abandoned your father to death and became a puppet chief. When Kindra found out, she offered herself for the freedom of the Seven Tribes. Tomorrow, after the ceremony, we have an everlasting truce with the Obsidian Nation.” He smirked. “As long as she can keep from killing him.”

All the blood drained from Kaye, and she sat heavily. Did they know he didn’t want a wife, but a sacrifice? “Where is Obsid?”

Monk’s hard features softened. “You won’t change his mind. Let things be.”

“But it should be me.”

“But it isn’t.” Monk crouched and covered her hand with his. “You’re worth Deer Valley. The last Odion warrior is worth the entire Seven Tribes. You can’t save us, Kaye.”

Tears burned in her throat. “I have to talk to Kindra.”

Monk shrugged and stood. “Try if you like. I’ll take you—your sister must be protected until the ceremony.”

“Protected from what?”

“From the tribe. They don’t know about Oak, and they’re furious with your sister.” He held out his hand to help her stand.

Kaye looked at the flute again, and Celeste’s words echoed in her mind.

"There will only be one more test, and you will not survive if you fail."

Neither would Kindra.