Breaking the Rules

*Rafe*

“Do you want me to explain the rules?” Kris is asking, standing next to me in front of the crowd of young people who have been brought here to represent their villages in the culling.

I want to tell him yes, that I would rather let him stand up here and tell these people the list of elaborate rules we’ve put in place to keep them from ever regaining their freedom again, but I find myself shaking my head. I’ll do it. I’m the soon-to-be king. It’s my responsibility.

Just as I start to speak, I feel the weight of an intense gaze on my face and turn toward Ainslee. I’ve been trying to avoid her. It’s easier to pretend she’s at home with her family where she belongs if she’s not directly in my line of sight.

But there she is, staring at me with those ocean eyes. I expect to see fear there, but that’s not what I see at all. Confusion. Irritation. Maybe even a little bit of rage. Could it be she’s just so use to always feeling angry at everyone all the time that she can’t help but loo