SHOCK was an understatement, Thalia was more than shocked. Had Xaniyah given up already and agreed? Without a fight?

“You can't be serious.” she said, her voice cracked in disbelief, her eyes wide as she sat on the bed very next to her in the dim-lit bedroom. “You mentioned this to me yesterday, I remembered telling you we will talk about it today. I didn't know you had made up your mind already? Why would your uncle want to take you away? End your dreams?”

Xaniyah didn’t respond ...