More cheers erupted, and Kaipo was on the move. Heading straight for Samaria.

She sent up another prayer for something, anything to strike her down. Instead her giggling friends grabbed at her arms, hoisting her up and shoving her forward.

Tu kai, she cursed. Fuck me.

Kaipo was grinning widely, showing off his straight, pearly teeth as he came to stop before her. Men howled in approval at his choice, and her friends squealed in excitement. Everyone else seemed so thrilled, so why didn’t she? Was she really about to ruin this whole evening?

“Samaria of Ta’Lei,” Kaipo boomed for the entire tribe to hear. “I present you these feathers,” he lifted his gift to her high in the air for all to see, then lowered it so it was right in front of her, “as a symbol of my devotion. Should you accept, I give you this gift as I do my heart.”

A hush fell over the crowd in anticipation, whispers echoing all around the bonfire. Samaria winced, shrinking into herself.

“Samaria, do you accept these feathers? Will you be my wife?”

“No.”

The word popped out of her mouth before she had a chance to stop it. Kaipo froze, his smile twitching in confusion. “What?”

“I’m sorry, Kaipo, I can’t.” Samaria shook her head, awkwardly wrapping her arms around herself.

The crowd didn’t know how to react. The giggling of her friends had ceased, and the whispers had turned from ones of excitement to one of disbelief. Kaipo’s face crumpled in disappointment as the reality finally hit him, the hand holding the feathers dropping to his side. Guilt plagued Samaria’s heart, but what other choice had she had?

The sound of the gong came again, breaking apart the painful silence. The feast. Even without a bride, it was time to eat the boar he had killed. Awkward cheers came and the men rushed to Kaipo’s aid, giving him consolatory pats on the back and encouraging pep talks. They whisked him away back to his place of honor, and Samaria plopped back down into the sand, her head falling into her hands.