Marie's Journey (Ginecean Chronicles) by Monica La Porta

the flames of the fire consuming her. She finally averted her eyes, ashamed of looking longer than was proper. Ashamed for much more than that.
    The couple stood silent and still for a while, neither Verena nor Marie saying anything to break the spell, but eventually, Carnia stepped away from Grant and went straight to Verena’s open arms.
    “You’ll see. Seven years will fly away.” Verena contained her voice until the last word, and then she started crying along Carnia. “It won’t be long until I’m chosen. We’ll be together soon. Don’t worry.”
    Marie felt bad for Verena, who was so sure she was destined to bear fathered kids and couldn’t envision anything better.
    “Can you give us ten more minutes?” Carnia had gone to Grant again.
    “Sure.” Verena gave Marie a look and they both retraced their steps and exited the Apothecary in complete silence. Once outside, Verena led a meaningless chase through the main building and courtyard, letting everybody know she was still looking for Carnia. Close to an hour later, they went back to the Apothecary to retrieve Carnia.
    “I’m sorry, but you must come with me now.” Verena offered her hand to the redhead.
    Marie saw how Grant’s arms tightened around Carnia for the briefest moment before he relaxed them, but at the last moment, he bent and murmured something in her ear. Carnia threw her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely, sobs wracking her slim frame.
    “Please.” Verena pried Carnia from Grant by gently grabbing her shoulders. “Please, don’t make me call the elders.”
    At her plead, Grant helped by stepping back as he pushed Carnia forward.
    “I don’t want anybody else but you.” Carnia refused to let him go, freeing herself from Verena’s hold to seek his embrace once more.
    Only this time, he slowly shook his head and kept her away from him. “You’ll be treated with respect.”
    “Carnia, I’m begging you. I can’t stall people forever. You must come with me now.”
    Voices and steps echoed from the outside. “I found her!” Verena yelled, then added at a softer volume, “Go away,” looking at Grant.
    He nodded, gave Carnia one last kiss, and disappeared into the shadows. One moment later, the three of them met the elders who had come looking for Carnia. Not a single question was asked, which Marie found peculiar, and Carnia was escorted to the bus, her belongings already packed in one big sack.
    When the bus left, Marie finally felt something akin to sympathy for the girl who had stared at them by the window, eyes bloodshot.
    “I’m next.” She heard Verena whisper.
    “No, you aren’t,” she shot back, angry at the whole world. Angry she was only fifteen. Angry she was born a fathered woman. Just angry.
    A whole week passed; nothing new happened. Carnia’s departure had touched everybody. Even Marie felt her mood darkening. The kitchen, normally a silent place, became sepulchral. Girls cried at every small remark from the chef, who had finally come back. People got sick to their stomachs from Madame Lana’s cold stares, literally. One girl had to be sent to the infirmary after an unfortunate accident involving the rector and a salty salad. Verena escaped into hard work and went to sleep every night exhausted, only to exchange no more than two words with Marie, who at the end of the week was starving for human contact. Any human contact.
    Anytime the chef looked for volunteers to go fetch something from the cellars, Marie found herself raising her hands with barely hidden enthusiasm. She was never alone though; one or more scullery maids were sent along to help her carry the heavier burdens.
    “Forget something?” the girl running errands with her asked, looking toward the dark spot Marie had been staring at for the last minute.
    “Do you know where they keep the marzipan?” Marie immediately made up a question.
    “Over there.” The girl’s chin pointed at the aisle where the sweets were kept.
    Marie