MERIDA
"So, what do you want to do today?" someone asked from behind me. I turned abruptly to see Lemuel smiling. He was wearing a loose cotton shirt, and the happiness in his eyes was unmistakable.
I thought this must be how one should feel when their bonding ceremony was approaching, but I had never felt this happy before—maybe because I never really knew who Lukan was.
I shook my head, as if that could rid me of the swirling thoughts in my mind.
"Are you happy?" I asked.
"What?" he stuttered, clearly surprised by my question. I slapped my temple softly; I wasn’t supposed to ask him that. It was obvious he was happy—who wouldn't be?
"Sorry, I meant to ask—" I stopped, trailing off, not knowing what to say.
"I understand what you meant, Merida," he said, laughing.
"Are you laughin
