"I'll come back for you as soon as I save the money. We'll get married. In the meantime, I've brought you a gift." I reachedinto my bag and drew out two identical journals. "One of these is for you. While we are apart, keep this journal for me andI'll write in the other for you. As you fill each page, tear it out and mail it to me. I'll do the same. That way, we will still be together."Zeynep took the journal and frowned, flipping through its blank pages. "I refuse to be your betrothed, never knowing when, or even if, you'll come back." She pulled a thin leather strap from around her neck. Strung on it was her cherished blue evil-eye bead that had protected her ever since she was a baby. "Take this." She stood on her tiptoes to put it over my head. "It will keep you from harm. I'll always love you, but I will not wait for you. We both deserve better than that." Excerpted from Dance of the Banished by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.