Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(10)
“That's the note your dad sent? Why in all of Envado did he send you here if he knew things were getting worse?” He jumps to his feet.
Tawny picks just that moment to enter, a big, silly grin on her face that falters the moment she glances into the hall. Zade and Serena must not have gone far.
“Tawny!” Chadwick practically shouts.
Instantly, there's a giant thump from the hall, and Zade appears. Serena is not far behind with eyebrows crinkled. I am in so much trouble.
“What are you doing here?” Zade demands Tawny.
Well, there's the fact that this is not only very awkward but also unexpected. He'll probably chew me out for bringing her as well, but I wasn't going to be the one to stop her.
She glances at the floor, back rigid. She could give these perfect posture Chardonian girls competition. “I wanted to help like Waverly.”
Zade is still staring at her. More like gaping.
“Of course you already know each other,” Serena says, not realizing what she's walking into. What I didn't get around to warning her about. “I should have realized if you knew Waverly, you'd know Chadwick and Zade.”
That's such a small portion of it.
Tawny looks away from us all. Zade seems like he's going to rip his nose right off with how hard he's rubbing it.
“We're all acquainted,” I say.
Zade glares at me. “You are either completely inane or mad.”
“She's both,” Chadwick says.
“Hey, I—” deserve both of their comments entirely. “Her parents agreed, and it was her idea to begin with.”
“You could have said no,” Zade snaps. “They should have said no.”
“And you could all talk with me instead of around me,” Tawny snaps.
We all scuff our boots on the floor.
Serena glances at Tawny, clearly confused. “Is there a reason your coming is worse than Waverly being here? This all seems a little extreme and everyone seems to know why except me.”
Tawny seems to remember herself then. “They just don't think I can protect myself properly.” Her voice lowers. “And…” She eyes Zade.
“And she's my previous fiancée,” he admits.
“Oh.” Serena's face goes calm. Too calm. “Well then, can I get you something to drink and eat? You didn't eat much earlier.”
“That would be lovely, thank you.” Tawny's training has probably never been tried so thoroughly.
Zade mumbles some claim about needing to check on the guards, and Chadwick hurries out after him. Neither Serena nor Tawny respond but avoid eye contact as the men walk outside. What a fine place to leave us in. And I don't know which of us has it worse. Tawny intruding on Zade's new love, Serena just meeting his old fiancée, or me for being the biggest dunce for bringing them all together.
Chapter Seven
The day doesn't get any more comfortable after that, but at least everyone pretends it is. When I get Serena alone and ask her about it, she claims it's fine. She still has trouble opening up to others, even if we've known each other over a year now. Tawny won't say anything either, but at least she doesn't pretend there's not a problem, just that she doesn't wish to discuss it.
I toss and turn all night, unable to sleep for thoughts of our situation. I don’t just worry about bringing Tawny here but also Chadwick saying our presence will make it worse for Serena. Which also means worse for Tawny. Even though it's dangerous here, I need to keep her in a place that's safe, if such a thing is possible in a place like Chardonia. At the same time, not clue her into the fact I'm keeping her safe because she'd be livid to know she can help, but I'm not letting her.
I find Serena in the barn brushing Goldie. She pats the horse down, speaking in a soothing voice. Does it do more good for her or the horse? It's difficult to say.
“Morning,” I greet her.
“I thought you'd be making breakfast.”
“Who, me?” I tease. “It's good that Zade was able to sneak Goldie away before Stephen got a hold of her.” Her dad is the biggest jerk of them all.
She nods, though her expression remains passive. “I just wish I could ride her more. But it's too dangerous for me to go gallivanting out in the open.”
“That must be hard.” When she doesn't say anything, I decide I just need to come out with it. “There's something we need to discuss.”
She starts flicking the brush rougher. “I already told you I don't wish to speak about it.”
“Not about yesterday, about something else,” I say. “Tawny and I have been talking.”
At the mention of Tawny, Serena goes oddly still. Despite saying she doesn't want to talk about it, she doesn't stop me.
“We think we should find work in another household.” The explanation doesn't have to do with her being in more danger because of our presence, but it has to be the right choice. She'd likely insist her safety isn't jeopardized by me even if it is. “Tawny wants to see more of Chardonia, and I think I'd like to go with her. Maybe somewhere where they aren't as antagonistic toward us Envadi, but where we can still do some good.”
And keep everyone safe.