Free One Choice by Ginger Solomon Page B

smoothed down his disturbed locks. He held back another snort at her maternal actions.
    Does she know how right she is? Josiah stood and pivoted away from her.
    â€œWhat about this one you call Cahri? What is she like?”
    â€œYou know I won’t tell you. You must find out for yourself. I will tell you, though, she is different from the others, in many ways.”
    â€œWhat's the point of you spending time getting to know her if you won't share what you find?”
    Anaya chuckled. “Sharing with you is not the purpose of my time with her. My goal is to help her pass your tests.”
    He grunted at the smile which graced her face. “Fine sister you are.”
    â€œAren't I, though?” She giggled and hugged him. “Trust me, after tonight you will see some of what I have chosen to keep to myself.”
    He plopped back into the chair. “How will I get through this and still please Father?”
    â€œYou will do it like you've done everything else. You will rely on your princely wisdom, and, more important than that, on Godly wisdom. The Lord will show you. Trust Him. Keep praying. Keep watching. Keep listening.”
    â€œIt's too hard. Father doesn't understand why I haven't found a wife since Remalyn. It’s not like I haven't tried.”
    â€œFather knows. He wants you to be happy, but he also knows you have shied away from anyone who has dared come too close. He must also follow the tradition, which is why the Bridal March is happening. You must understand his position.” She rubbed his shoulders. “Don’t worry about Father right now. Relax. Enjoy getting to know the chosen ones.”
    His muscles relaxed a little under her expert hands.
    â€œThank you.” He stood and hugged her. He still doubted he’d find a woman he could love, but he was resigned to find a wife he could live with.
    ****
    When Cahri returned to her room, the others talked all at once.
    â€œWhat's going on?” she asked.
    They stared at her as if she'd grown horns.
    â€œSo you can talk. Where have you been that you don't know?” a tall, well-endowed woman answered. Hoping this one would be among the first to go, Cahri hadn’t bothered to learn her name.
    â€œExploring.” She didn't want to tell them the truth. They would shun her for sure if they knew. “What's going on?”
    â€œWe were told to get ready for an inspection of some sort, to see if we are worthy of the Bridal March,” Iksura answered.
    â€œI thought we were already considered worthy when we were chosen,” whined a smooth-skinned, curvy, and demanding woman.
    The tone of her voice grated on Cahri’s ears, and she dug her nails into her palms to keep from acting on her desire to slap the woman.
    Iksura stared at Cahri for a few moments with a frown on her face. “Weren’t you wearing different clothes earlier?”
    Ashura entered, interrupting Cahri’s struggle for an honest, but not too honest answer.
    â€œFollow me, please.” His stern demeanor brooked no arguments from any of her roommates.
    Cahri followed the others out of the room toward the common area. The tables and chairs had been pushed to the walls, leaving a large space in the middle. The women lined up as instructed. Standing at the end of the line, Cahri fiddled with the silver embroidery on the hem of her shirt.
    This was going to be a long wait. She stared at the tiled floor. It consisted of white tiles with a mosaic tile thrown in at random intervals. She stood beside one which depicted the oranges and pinks of the sun rising over sand-colored hills. She’d love to be someplace like that now.
    Footsteps came closer. She rubbed her damp palms down the front of her black pants. Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a procession of men’s shoes, five or six pairs at least, working their way down the line. After looking at each woman, one male voice, she presumed it to be Prince Josiah,