Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(9)

This is such a good change from having Serena cringe away from even the faintest hint of magic.

When Tawny doesn't reply, I say, “She's much better at it than I.” Magic tutors are required for the next monarch. Those protection spells she was required to learn are stronger than an entire mountain.

“You're much too kind.” Tawny blushes.

“Good,” Serena says. “Even if Waverly is exaggerating, we could use the help. I'm trying to learn and am coming across more and more women who are requesting help to learn as well.”

She was warming up to it when I left, but I didn't expect her to willingly get so involved. Things really are changing. With Serena at least.





Chapter Six





The door slams. Serena jumps, but I know that sound all too well. Zade is here.

I take a deep breath and prepare myself for battle. Tawny is resting in our shared room, which I should have been doing as well, but sleep wouldn't come. Instead, I sought Serena out to find more details about what's been going on. I should have forced myself to stay in bed, though it'd be cruel to leave Serena alone with his wrath. At least she can probably calm him better than I can.

Zade storms in with a force of tense muscles and a glare in his eyes that could turn into magic sparks at any moment. Serena relaxes back into her chair with a giant grin on her face. Either she doesn't realize how seriously his temper is flaming right now, or she doesn't care.

“What are you doing here?” His words boom at me.

It's then I realize Chadwick is behind him. I stare at him, ignoring Zade's fuming. My heart doesn't give a thump or a flutter or anything at all. Why can't it respond to him like I think it should? Like everyone expects it to? Maybe my idea of how loves feels, how it looks from outside, is wrong. Maybe the warmth of friendship is all there is for someone like me.

“Waverly!”

I roll my eyes and say in my sweetest voice, “Yes, Master Zade?”

“Don't you dare give me that. This isn't the time for jokes. Mom and Dad are going to have a heart attack when they realize you didn't listen to me and returned. You should know your brother only wants to keep you safe. What's that going to do to Dad? Did you think of him when you went gallivanting off?”

He's right. It’s not the time for games even if it's fun to tweak him. There are some things too precious to joke over. “They're the ones who told me to come.”

This seems to trip him up. He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Why would they do that?”

“Because they understand as much as I do that I need to be here.”

He huffs. Serena goes to him and puts a hand on his arm. The change is instant. His eyes soften, and his shoulders relax. He kisses her full on the mouth like none of us are even there. I glance away, which leads to catching Chadwick's eye. I hurry to stare at my hands. More awkward than when I accidentally spelled his hair pink.

I make an exaggerated sound of clearing my throat.

Zade gives an exasperated sigh. “Well, you're clearly not in the mood for my temper, so just let me and my fiancée have some time together. Maybe then, just maybe, I'll be able to talk to you without wanting to strangle you.”

“By all means, go right ahead. It sounds as if you've been neglecting her.”

He growls. “Stupid council.”

“Oh, just kiss me again,” Serena says.

I turn away as he passionately does so. I'm all for true love and kissing, but my brother doesn't seem like the best person to illustrate the point. Ew.

Chadwick hurries past the couple, turning away from them as soon as he can. The kissing must bother him too. Or maybe it's my presence that’s causing issues. At least Serena and Zade finally seem to take a hint and move into the hall.

Chadwick takes the chair Serena vacated. “You shouldn't have come back.”

“I think my brother already made that clear enough.”

“We have seven warlocks guarding this house every day. There's a lot of people who come here to learn more about what Serena’s done and to hear more about Cynthia. About what they’re doing with freedom and magic. But some guests aren't as harmless as they appear. Attacks are almost a daily occurrence. And…”

Almost daily? I knew it was bad but not this bad. “And what?”

“It's not just that I'm trying to keep you safe because I care about you. It's…”

My chest gives a strange little twist. The warmth of friendship could be enough. But I doubt it would spark kisses the likes of which came from Zade and Serena. Besides, doesn't he deserve that as well? “And what, Chadwick?”

“And I don't think having a Chardonian, especially a female Chardonian, in the house will help.”

“Zade and you are already here, what difference does it make?”

“Zade is at least on the council, and no one notices me when he's around. I'm just a shadow,” he says. “Things are bad enough without adding to it.”

This is exactly what I didn't want to hear. Of course I knew they sent me away for a reason, but I thought it was just for my own safety. How can I endanger Serena more? Some people still think we're cruel giants, barbarians, not worth being near.

In any case, he needs his message. “Dad sent me to tell you something.” I scoot closer. Even in this house that is supposed to be safe, rebellion words aren't to be treated lightly. Exactly why Dad didn't just send a spell message. “The Envadi rebels are lessening. With the borders closed, not only is it harder for them to get in, but they don't want to come in. We're on our own with whatever is already set up here.”