Revenant Slaves Chapter 59: Chapter 58: Ash

Read chapter 59 of Revenant Slaves by Zee on NovelPedia.

Ash stood there in stunned silence for a few moments. Watching the spot where Maya had been before, slowly turning to face the rest of the train car. Miru’s parents, Rain and Zain, were all staring at him. “Um, what just happened?” The whole train car let out a collective sigh. “She agreed to marry you, you idiot,” Zain said. He wasn't staring at him anymore; instead, his face was turned towards the roof of the car. Ash ignored the insult and focused on the good news. A smile made its way on his face. “Really?” he repeated. “Yes. Really,” Rain replied this time. “What did she mean, I should change? And what was that about the color?” Zain turned to stare at Ash, and after a brief pause answered, “You’re wearing clothes from the temple; that red represents the empire and the living flame. We have spent our whole lives fighting them, so yes, we do not take it kindly, as Maya just said. So find something new to wear.” “Oh! Okay.” Ash said. He didn’t know why he had started feeling nervous all over again. “What do you even know of marriage?” Zain suddenly asked, his voice more than a little forceful. “It’s like…” he began, then paused to gather his thoughts, “It’s a lot similar to the system mother put in place here in the settlements. Two people decide to get together, have a child, raise it together, and look after each other. Marriage is just… declaring it publicly and promising, in front of witnesses, to be faithful, protective, and watchful over each other.” “Hmm, and anywhere in that little confession did you two talk about kids?” “No, we didn’t.” “So that isn’t what marriage is; it’s not what it will be for you two, not yet anyway. I don’t care what watered-down version you heard outside. Marriage to us is sacred. It’s permanent, in almost every case. There is no backing out for the rest of your life. It’s a life spent putting the person you agree to marry above you or anyone else.” Zain paused to cough and draw in breath; everyone looked to him with concern, but that didn’t stop him from continuing anyway, “Are you ready to do that? Are you ready to put her above yourself? Scratch that; that is the bare minimum. Are you ready to prioritize her more than you do Rain? Miru? Or anyone else from your settlement? Because that is what marriage means to us. Marriage is the foundation of our society. It is the foundation of our whole family system. It is a bond from which you will create something that will outlast both of you. You better think long and hard before the ceremony tonight. Because when you are asked the question of whether you wish to marry My Sister and take her as your wife, the answer to all of those questions I asked better be yes, Ash, or else you might not be prepared for this.” By the flame, the rebels outside hadn’t preached it like that either. He wondered if Maya had thought all that when she accepted. ‘Of course she did.’ Zain said this was sacred for them; they wouldn’t take this so lightly. Ash felt himself burning up; he felt like hiding his face somewhere. This was a new feeling. He really hadn’t thought this out, and the fact that Maya had agreed to this immense responsibility, this immense dedication. But as good as that made him feel, he was also conflicted; how could he place Maya above the people he had spent his whole life with? He could see her being their equal but putting her above all of them? Zain apparently had said all he wanted to say and plopped back down on his cot. Ash turned his attention to Rain, getting in close and hugging her legs as she sat in her wheelchair. He put his head in her lap. “You’re growing up so quickly, son; you really are the best part of my life.” “I love you too, Ma; you are the best part of my life too.” “Well, not for long it seems.” Rain smiled as she said that. Ash quickly rose up, about to say something, but Rain put a finger on his mouth. “It’s okay, Ash; that’s a part of growing up. Someone wise taught me what it meant to be a mother a long time ago. He wa