You Are Mine Page 25

  “But I didn't.” Katherine moves to the door. “Forget we ever asked.”

  “Wait.” Zade turns toward us. “Forgive me, I didn't mean to burden you with my issues. I'll help.”

  Katherine pauses, gaze moving between the two of us.

  I say, “Let him. Please.”

  “You're really willing to help me,” Katherine says, “even though I'm nothing but a tarnished and you could die because of it?”

  He lets out a huff and rubs the back of his neck. “They will probably be angry at me for risking it, but yes, I will help.”

  Who are they? It doesn't sound like he's speaking of the council, but who else would it cause problems for?

  Katherine rushes over to him, throws herself at him in the form of a hug, and bursts into tears. “Thank you. So much. No one's ever willing to help a tarnished except other tarnished. But now I have Serena and you.”

  “Of course you do, we'll help however we can,” he says.

  The door bursts open. I leap to my feet. Phyllis. She stands there, a tray in her hands and a smirk on her face. “Your lunch Master Zade.”

  Fear rips through me. What did she see and hear?

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  After several days I'm still haunted by Phyllis interrupting our conversation. There's been no word of any trouble because of it. Yet it gnaws at me constantly. Both Katherine and Zade have been acting as if nothing has happened, except to talk once of what they will do when the law is enacted. That time, Zade cast his salmon, no eavesdropping spell. Even I didn't hear that conversation.

  Katherine sits calmly. She points to the bundles she left on the bed earlier before she met with Zade. “There are a few new dresses for you.”

  “You didn't have to do that. How did you find the time?” Especially with everything else going on.

  “I've been able to hire four more workers.” She waves her hand dismissively. “You've been good enough to wear the dresses to deliver the invites and it's brought business. I wanted you to have some new things to wear.”

  “You're too kind.”

  “If it brings as many requests for new dresses as my others have, you'll be the one doing me a favor.”

  I laugh. “Then by all means, you can make more whenever you like. Any other orders?”

  “A few friends of Annabelle and Councilman Daniel came in. Each wanted at least three outfits. All of them wanted me to do their gowns for the ball. One is still skeptical. But Annabelle's more excited than you. She even took a pair of breeches.”

  “She did!” I try to picture the well-mannered woman in men's wear. The image refuses to come to mind.

  “Don't worry. She looks great in them.” A mischievous grin slides onto her face. “Your sisters should be trying on their dresses, should we go see?”

  “I'd love to.”

  She stands. “Don't expect to see anything for the ball with your new things. You won't see your gown until that afternoon.”

  We head for my sisters' rooms. “I've never been so curious about a dress before.”

  “Glad to be of service.”

  We arrive at Cynthia's room and knock.

  A muffled, “A moment please” is called through the door.

  While waiting, Katherine gives a sly smile. “There's something else in there you may want to peek at when you're ready.”

  If it's not the ball gown, what could it possibly be? “What is it?”

  She shrugs and gives a sly smile. The door bursts open.

  “Come in,” Cynthia says.

  Katherine enters, but I hesitate. “I need to check something. I won't be a moment.”

  “Don't worry about it. Bethany won't be ready for a while and I haven't even started.”

  I hurry up the stairs to my room. Several packages await me on my bed. Which one could she be talking about? I sort through them, feeling their weight. I grab the lightest. None of the others have been like this. Curiosity tugs at me. Bethany isn't ready yet. There's time. I run my fingers over the package. Opening it shouldn't take long. I undo the string. A nervous flutter dances inside me.

  Despite my sudden misgivings, I push the wrappings aside. Black cloth sits before me. That's not so bad. No need to fear. But why is it so small? I pick it up and give it a good shake. Two separate pieces unwind, one on each side connected together at the top.

  I yelp and drop them. They flutter to the ground. “Breeches?”

  What was Katherine thinking giving them to me? I stare at them, and then move toward the door. Before I can open it, I sigh. I can't leave them sitting there for anyone to see. Waverly will be back before I am. And what if my sisters want to see my new dresses when they've finished with theirs?

  Those tiny black things call to me. I inch to them and lift them, pinching the soft material with a thumb and finger. I move toward the bed. Under it should be good enough for now. When I get there, I can't bring myself to throw them under. This is ridiculous. I have no use for them. But, I can't bring myself to hide them. Finally, I've crossed the line. I've gone completely mad.

  Yet, here they are, waiting for me. It would only take a moment to change into them.

  “Ugh.” I reach for the laces of my skirt. Soon I'm wearing only my blouse while holding the breeches. This was a silly idea. With a deep breath, I struggle into them and tie the laces at the waist. The bulk of the gun strapped to my thigh is visible. That won't work at all. I don't want to wear them around anyway, just curious.

  They feel...tight. Though they aren't too tight, I suppose. I bend my legs. The material stretches with my movements. They aren't too snug, but more constricting than they should be. Will they damage my circulation?

  I tread across the room. It's almost like walking around in my underthings. How can men stand wearing so little? It is easier to move though. Less material to get caught in things. Despite thinking they were constricting at first, I may be able to do more in them.

  I stroll across the room again. And again, but faster. What else can I do? I run. Jump. Leap onto my bed. Just as I'm leaping off, the door opens. Phyllis's face flash across my view.

  I slam onto the floor with a groan.

  Before Phyllis has a chance to do anything, I stagger to my feet, ignoring my aching body. “What are you doing here?”

  Instead of answering, she steps inside and closes the door. Zade's life is the one in danger, not mine, so I shouldn't be worried. But I am. My gun is useless, trapped under the breeches. I inch to the cord that will ring in the servants hall.

  “Wait,” Phyllis says. “I'm here to warn you, not harm you.”

  Once I'm within reach of the cord, I ask, “What do you mean?”

  She eyes my breeches. “Why are you wearing those?”

  “Not your concern.” My hands bunch.

  “You're right.” Her voice loses the haughty tone its always had. “I've been reporting to your Father.”

  I raise my brows, but don't respond. It's hard to stay unaffected when her words set my heart racing.

  “My family is deeply in his debt. We have no hopes of paying it off before we die. Which will be soon for my Father. He's old. If the debt isn't paid off before he dies, my sisters, mother, and I will be tarnished.”

  That could be me and my family if we were in debt. Even though I know the tarnished are so much like us, they're restricted in many ways. It makes my anger soften, but I don't budge. “And?”

  “Your Father said the more information I told him, the more debt he'd forgive. When I made you drink the tea, he got rid of half the debt. Half!” Her eyes are wide and begging. “I've told him lots of little bits about the dresses and your seamstress, but he said it wasn't enough. He needed more and if I could find something big, he'd forgive the rest of the debt.”

  I stride toward her, fear and rage pulsing through me. “What did you do?”

  “I told him about the conversation I overheard with Chancellor Zade, the one where he promised to help your tarnished seamstress.”


  My fist wants to fly into her. Hard.

  Her voice is faint. “He's planning something, I know it. But he won't forgive the debt. Says I'm too valuable here and is going to keep me waiting. You helped the tarnished, can't you help me?”

  “Help you?” My fist shakes from unreleased tension. “Help you? You've ruined us. Get out.”

  She doesn't move. I let out a half growl, half scream. She scrambles for the door. Now I know for certain, my insisting on helping Katherine will bring trouble. I can't have freedom for myself and trying to get it for her is going to cost all those I love. What will Father do?

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  “Come in,” I call out.

  A lower class servant I don't recognize enters. “I was asked to bring you this with utmost haste.”

  A chill flurries through me as she hands me a note. I barely notice her departure. Ever since I told Zade what Phyllis said and he told me not to worry, I've done nothing but. I've never had a note from someone outside the household before. Who would send me one? Does it have to do with what she said? The chill grows colder as I open it.

  Serena,

  I feel I must warn you. Councilman Daniel and I have heard a growing number of rumors concerning you and the Chancellor. I'm afraid they aren't good.

  I hate to be blunt, but feel I must. There is a hefty price on his life. Please be cautious.

  Your friend,

  Annabelle

  The coldness seeps clear to my heart with icy sharpness.

  I don't know how long I sit staring, unseeing at the note. Finally, I grip it to my chest and run to find Zade. He's not in the study, nor the library, nor the sitting room. Am I already too late?

  Where are all the servants? There has to be someone I can ask. Yet no one is in sight. I rush to the kitchen. There's always someone there. When I clang into the room, it is full of activity, Phyllis in the midst of it all. I want to scream at her again, but it won't do any good.

  “Does anyone know where Chancellor Zade is?” I ask.

  “I do,” Phyllis says.

  I round on her, the words flaming from my mouth like hexes. “Don't speak. You've already done enough damage.”

  Everyone stops working and stares at us. My stomach twists with regret at sounding so harsh, but the words are too true to take back.

  A servant I don't recognize says, “I believe he's shooting.”

  Of course. We've spent so much time there I should have guessed. As I run out of the room I yell, “Thank you.”

  Finding him seems to go quicker now that I know where he is. If something had already happened, the servants would know, wouldn't they? When he comes into sight, I slow. Relief replacing some of my worry, but not enough of it.

  He's practicing like he always does, casting a spell that looks like some sort of bird and then shooting it. His movements are sure and smooth. Every time he hits the spell it dissolves. I feel as if I could watch him all day. But as I come closer, his face doesn't match his confident moves. He's frowning, brows creasing together. When he spots me, he schools his features so well, I almost believe I never saw him uncertain.

  “You know,” he says.

  “Why didn't you say something?”

  “How did you find out?”

  “Annabelle.” I wave the note at him. “You didn't answer my question.”

  “May I?” He holds out his hand.

  I give him the note, my fear replaced by confusion at his calm manner. He reads it over before throwing it in the air. An orange and red spell crackles from him, turning the note to ashes.

  “It's true then,” I say.

  “It is.” He sighs. “Does it do any good for you to know?”

  None. “How soon?”

  “No idea. Most likely before the wedding.”

  Before the wedding? That's only two days away. My stomach churns. “Maybe we can do something to stop it.”

  “We can't.” He slams his gun down on a tree stump. “You've grown up with this life, you should know it better than me. Soon I'll be dead and you'll be back with your Father.”

  “They didn't succeed before, maybe they won't succeed now.”

  “Don't be stupid. They've set the price so high on my head, even those who already have a good sum of money will be after me.”

  His brutal response makes me stumble back.

  “I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I'm just so—” He picks his gun back up and shoots another spelled bird. Before dissolving like the others, it looks exactly like a dove except for the red light surrounding it. “There's nothing to be done about it.”

  “There has to be something.” While trying to think of a solution, another thought comes to me. “If Father knows you're breaking the law, why isn't he taking it to the council?”

  “He gets all my money and possessions if I'm dead. If he goes through legal channels, he'll only get some. And he cares a lot about his reputation. I've sullied it enough by being your owner, doubt he wants to add traitor to my bad qualities list.”

  He releases another bird, this one even redder than before. The shot echoes through the air followed by silence.

  “You don't have to worry about Katherine. She'll be taken care of.”

  But what about him? Someone has to take care of him, too. I want to go to him and wrap my arms around him, but that's not the answer. Touching him won't save his life.

  I remember Katherine once offering to help me escape. “We could run away.”

  “They're watching too closely for that to work. It'll only bring my death sooner and yours along with it.”

  He storms off in the direction of the house.

  I grip my arms around myself. I've killed him and put myself back under Father's ownership. I should have quietly accepted the life I was given instead of striving for more. Because of my inability to be a good Chardonian woman, I've lost more than I ever thought I could.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Guests have been arriving all morning. The ball is in a few hours, our wedding tomorrow, and Zade's still alive. Not a single attempt has been made on his life. At least none that I know of. It's left me more on edge than if someone had tried. Without an attempt made yet, they must have a sure plan. One that can only end with their success and Zade's death.

  I'm exhausted from greeting everyone and wishing life was back to the way it was before there were threats on Zade's life. Once those staying overnight arrive, they'll have time to get acquainted with their rooms, and ready. Everyone else will arrive later, in time for the ball.

  Zade sends the latest guests off with a servant. The way he acts, it's impossible to tell he knows death is coming. My heart aches watching him. I want to do something more, but there's nothing I can do.

  The front door opens yet again. The Grand Chancellor and his son are followed by two women, both with heavy face paint.

  The footman announces them. “The Grand Chancellor with his wife and his son Nathaniel with his fiancee.”

  The Grand Chancellor sweeps to a stop. “Thank you for the invitation. I'm sure it will prove an interesting occasion.”

  The fiancee watches the interaction, cowering away from them. The wife grabs her arm and yanks her forward. The Grand Chancellor scowls and zaps a fuchsia spell at the girl. She bites her lips, but doesn't call out. I want to kick all but the fiancee out of the house. The way she's being treated makes me want to protect her. Of course that won't happen.

  “We do hope you'll be pleased with everything we have planned.”

  “We shall see,” the Grand Chancellor says.

  Zade motions to the next servant. “We have a set of rooms for you on the bottom floor. I hope you'll find them to your liking.”

  The Grand Chancellor raises his brows, but doesn't say a word as the servant leads them away. Once they are out of sight, it feels as if I can breathe again. My tension eases until Cynthia and Bethany join us.

  “I thought we wouldn't be seeing you girls until it was time to dress.” Mostly, I w
ant them away from the danger as much as possible.

  “I saw Father and the carriage arrive,” Cynthia says. “We were hoping we could join you in greeting them.”

  “Certainly,” Zade says.

  Cynthia eagerly stands to the side. More sedately, Bethany also joins.

  “Are you well?” I ask her.

  “Fine. I'm anxious to see mother and hear how the little ones are doing.”

  But not Father. How will it be back under his ownership? I suppose I won't stay long. He's sure to have someone like Thomas already waiting for me. I suppress a shiver and focus on Bethany. “You can stay by me. I'm sure mother will be happy to see you.”

  She nods, but doesn't say anything. The door opens and the footman says, “Presenting Councilman Stephen.”

  Zade puts his arm around me. The warmth of him envelops me. I'm grateful he's not as angry with me as he was yesterday, though perhaps he should be. Still, I take what comfort I can. I lean closer as Father enters, mother close behind.

  When they reach us, Zade says, “Councilman, glad you could make it. I trust the journey was good.”

  “Fine ride out in the countryside.” Father eyes Zade's arm around me. “Making the most of your goods I see. Nothing too untoward I hope.”

  Zade's arm tightens around me. “Only what you see.” With his free hand, he motions to my sisters.

  Mother takes a step closer and gives a small grin. She's pregnant again. Not that she's showing yet, but the darkness and lines under her eyes give it away. Another sister for sure. At least she looks happy.

  “Thank you for allowing the services of your daughters,” Zade says. “They've been very helpful.”

  “Of course.” Father gives a sneering smile. “We wanted to make sure you had the proper help. I'd hate for your first public event to be disappointing.”

  “Little chance of that. They're fine girls.”

  “Good enough for a little entertainment planning, anyhow. It's sure to be a night to remember. When I—” he stops, his face growing red. “Cynthia, what are you wearing?”