Read Testament for Free Online

nodded. “I’ve joined the Abir as well.”
    I groaned and covered my eyes with my dirt encrusted hands. “Is every guy I know on some hero quest/death wish or something?”
    “It doesn’t matter if I’m with them or not. You’re more important to me than they are right now. I can’t bear the thoughts of you not being safe.”
    I took my hands away to stare at him. A small part of me was tempted by his offer. I didn’t know where we would run to, but I wouldn’t have to worry about helping Griff and the Abir or participating in the pageant. But then, I thought of my parents and what they went through for their beliefs—the very beliefs they had instilled in me. I had to try to help the Abir for them, so their deaths had not been in vain. And I had to do it for Griff, so that he could have a future.
    “I’m sorry, Micah, but I can’t. I do care for you, but I have to try and help the Abir and Griff. I want a better world to live in. If I have children someday, especially a daughter, I want more for them.”
    A defeated sigh escaped from Micah’s lips, but he nodded. “And if you don’t win the pageant or when Richard and his administration are defeated, can we…pick up where we left off?”
    I couldn’t help but smile at his determination. “Like pick up right here at this very moment when you laid one on me under the apple tree?”
    He shook his head. “With that mouth of yours, we have nothing to worry about. You’ll be sent home in the first round.”
     

Warm rays of morning sunlight streamed in through the windows, urging me out of the warm cocoon of blankets. But the moment I opened my eyes, the reality of my new situation crashed down on me. I moaned and jerked the covers over my head. How can one day alter your life so much? Deep down, I knew it was a stupid question, considering how many twenty-four hour periods had irrevocably changed my life in the past.
    Griff rapped at the door. “Yeah?” came my muffled response.
    I heard the knob turn, and then his footsteps creaking along the worn floorboards toward my bed. “What are you doing?”
    “Hiding out.”
    He pulled the covers off my head. “You just received your summons.”
    I shot up in bed and snatched the envelope from his hand. I tore into it so fast I barely managed not to tear the letter. “Dear Ms. Cadence O’Bryant. You are to report to the palace at noon to be interviewed by our supreme Emperor in regards to the procurement of a bride for his son. Do not bring anything with you—clothes and toiletries will be provided for you. Failure to report will result in facing a tribunal.”
    The letter fluttered from my hands onto the old patchwork quilt. “I guess this means it’s really real.”
    “So it would seem.”
    We sat in silence for a few moments. I was sure both of our minds were whirling with what the next few days could bring. Finally, Griff cleared his throat. “Are you scared?”
    “No,” I answered quickly. He cocked his head and gave me a knowing look. “Okay, fine, a little.”
    “That’s to be expected.”
    “Were you scared when you joined the Abir?”
    “Of course.” Before I could protest, he smiled. “But not scared enough not to join or to quit.”
    I rolled my eyes. “I figured as much.”
    Griff leaned closer to me on the bed. “Stop worrying so much. There’s a great possibility that nothing will be asked of you. Kellan most likely will pick another girl, and then you will come home to your old life.”
    “But you will still be a member of the Abir and could be taken away from me at any moment.” Tears welled in my eyes. “I don’t want to imagine a world without you in it, Griff.”
    He pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his arms tight around me. “Have faith, Cady. Things will work out,” he murmured.
    “I wish I could believe that,” I replied.
    “If I could stay with you through the whole pageant thing, I would. I know you don’t like the idea of being by yourself.”
    I wiped