Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(29)

“Two babies!”

“Ah, she's so cute.”

“What's her name?”

“And what's hers?”

“Why are they so wrinkly?”

“Can she play soon?”

Serena stares at them, numb. Who can blame her at this point?

“Girls, let's give Serena and the babies some space.” It's not my place to correct them. I may be practically family, but practically isn't the same as being real family.

Several groans fill the air, but they quickly all settle themselves around the room, quietly distracting each other. Too quickly and too quietly. What has their father done to them? Has he hexed them since I was away? How I'd like to get my hands on him.

Pernilla is taken to a back room to rest. Serena is still standing, gazing at nothing. I gently go over to her and take the baby from her arms so I have two, one in each arm. “Tawny, why don't you make some chocolate for Serena and her mom?”

She jumps into action, years of being served not enough to stop her from knowing how to make a few basic things. I take the babies back to Pernilla, who is more awake than before. I help them both get settled, not saying a word about the twins or her newest child's gender. Whether that's for the best or not, I don't know. But for now at least, they're all settled.

Then, I finally get Serena alone. The rain has subsided so I take her outside, far enough from the house that we can't be heard but close enough to see it. Serena is a little less pale and has her cup of chocolate in hand, half gone.

“How are you?” I ask her.

“I'm well.”

Of course she's not. “Do you want to talk about your newest siblings?”

Serena sips more of her chocolate. “I don't know.”

I can't imagine what she must be feeling. It shouldn't matter whether a child is a boy or a girl, but of course, here, it matters too much. And to have two babies to care for on top of everything else going on. I'm about to say something, when she continues.

“It's strange. There hasn't been enough time to have an impact yet. For it to make sense. But I already know one thing.” Her expression becomes fierce. “I will do everything in my power to ensure my sister knows her worth and values herself and my brother doesn't grow up to be like my father and every other Chardonian male who only value women as property.”

That one little statement packed with such fierceness behind it makes me feel like maybe I have helped do some good. She's not the same girl I came to help a year ago. There's something that isn't just changing here, but has already changed, and for so much the better.

“I'm certain you'll be able to teach him that, and I'll help however you need.” I give a wry smile. “I always wanted a little brother to tease.”

“Good. He'll need someone to do that. The rest of us are likely to spoil him to bits.”

“Oh, I'll do that too.” Even though I only held him for a short time, his tiny cheeks are so kissable.

We fall into a silence while I think about how sweet it was holding him in my arms. I never did have a younger sibling, and while there were some babies that Mom took us to visit, there weren't many I spent much time with. There's something so precious about a new little one. No wonder the girls were melting over him, even if they don't know it's a brother.

Brother. It's difficult to even think on mine and what he could be going through right now. I clench my fists.

“Waverly, about Zade…” Serena's thoughts must be taking the same turn mine are.

I wish I had something to offer her. Comfort or hope. I wish I had those things to give myself. But all I have is truth. “We don't know what they've done to him exactly. Or if they are even sticking to the Grand Chancellor's rule about the tournament or if they've gone against it anyway and he's no longer…”

Her expression is stone-like, but her reply is drenched with heartache. “Alive.”

The tightening of my throat is so thick and heavy, it's impossible to reply.

“I know it's a possibility. That even thinking about saving him is suicide. But we have to do something. If there's a chance, even a slim chance, we have to think of something. I don't know what to do.” She places a hand on her pocket where I know she keeps her gun. “But whatever it is, I'm going to be fighting the entire way.”

At this moment, she is so much stronger than me. I want to do the same, but I'm so broken. It’s hard to even think about him, let alone plan an escape. “If Zade knew you were risking yourself like that, we'd see the worst of his temper.”

“I'd take his temper any time after this.” She shrugs. “Besides, he won't know. He's not here.”

Right. I want to see his temper again. Want to enjoy his wrath over risking our lives to save him. I can do this. There's time. “Do you think we need to involve Cynthia in this?”

“She'll be furious if we don't. Besides, she's already proven how good at magic she is. We need her if we want even a hope of success.”

Even the tiniest bit of hope would be something to cling onto right now. “What about your other sisters? Have you told them?”

Her face crumples with pain. “No. I need to, but I often think they enjoy his company more than mine. They won't take it well.”