Then he called out, Dahna! Our newest member wants to know why you want to dance, since you were forced to as a slave. Iden expected everything to come to an awkward, if not downright hostile, halt. Instead, the teal-skinned woman threw back her head and laughed. Because I can, child, she said. Not because I have to. Because I want to. Because I can dance, or sing, or not do any of those things if I don't feel like it. I dance because I'm happy, here, with my family. I dance because I am free.
In this passage from "Inferno Squad" by Christie Golden, a character named Iden anticipates an uncomfortable silence after a newcomer questions Dahna, a teal-skinned woman, about her past as a slave and her desire to dance. Contrary to his expectations, Dahna responds with laughter and a spirited affirmation of her freedom. She emphasizes that her choice to dance comes from joy and a sense of empowerment, rather than obligation.
Dahna's reaction highlights a powerful theme about the essence of freedom and self-expression. By asserting that she dances out of happiness and a desire to be with her family, she illustrates the profound impact of autonomy in reclaiming one’s identity. Her statement reflects not just a love for dance, but a celebration of freedom itself, showing that choices made from a place of joy are fundamental to a meaningful life.
