“No,” I countered. “My silence cannot be guaranteed, and I will not lose my family. As long as I’m with you, you will listen to me and let me leave one day a week. In return for your gracious benevolence, I agree to reduce the touching restriction to six months.” I had to raise my voice slightly so he could hear me over his own cursing.
Again, he stopped his rage. He didn’t leave me waiting for long.
“One week.”
I snorted.
“One month. That is my final offer.”
“Agreed,” he said, triumphantly.
“I would like to say good-bye before you start commanding me, sir,” I spoke in a rush.
His fist released my hair.
“Make it quick.”
Obediently, I rushed from the mist just as the vines released Father and my sisters. I went to Father first and hugged him tightly.
“I will see you in four days,” I whispered to him.
“Don’t do this, Benella,” he said fiercely, hugging me.
“I’ll be fine and well fed here.” Pulling back, I caught the hurt look in his eyes and quickly tugged the bag from my shoulders. “Here. I’ll try to find some way to help.”
I turned toward my sisters.
“Take care of him.” There was a threat in my tone that I hadn’t meant to let slip. “And yourselves,” I added more calmly.
Something tugged at my foot, and I lifted my skirt enough to see a vine.
“I have to go.”
Turning, I walked into the mist, away from my family.