You Are Mine (Mine, #1)(19)

An Envadi. How could this happen? The memory of the one helping me after the feast comes to mind. He did come when I needed aid. I don't know any warlock that would assist a girl in such a state. It's more likely that he was looking for someone to thrash rather than aiding me. He was rather rough with Thomas.

“Are you finished?” I ask.

After a final tug around the neck of my dress, she says, “Done. Do you want me to come with you?”

Yes. “No. I'll manage.” While pulling my gloves on, I face her. “I'll be back soon.”

She sniffs and nods. “He's giant. Don't let it scare you.”

“I won't.” I flee the tent before I tear up.

Outside Father waits, fat lips crinkled into a scowl. Next to him is a law officer, thin with a bushy mustache, tapping his foot. Behind them people are gathered, watching the scene. The majority are warlocks wearing Chardonian orange band on their arms. A few others with purple and green bands, along with a few women are here as well. None wear the white Envadi band. I scan them until someone rises from sitting on the ground. The Envadi. A different one from last night, but he still looms above everyone else. I don't know how I missed him, even on the ground.

He's tall. A couple feet taller than me. Perhaps not that much, but I could walk under his arm if he were to stretch it out and I'm taller than most Chardonian women. On the field he looked big, but standing next to me he's sky breaking.

I gawk at him. He might crush me if I look away. His green eyes, pupils rimmed with gold, stare back at me. He's young, but strong. What if one murder wasn't enough for today?

Father snatches me to his side and scolds me under his breath, but I still can't take my eyes from the giant. If he really is my new owner, I have more to fear of him than Father. An Envadi, my owner, I clutch my stomach.

“Are you ready to get this over with?” The Envadi's voice is deep. Deep enough to send quivers through me. Or maybe I'm just scared.

“Of course I am, that's why I'm standing here,” Father says.

The Envadi's piercing gaze moves toward Father. I'm grateful it's not directed at me, I'm still shaking even without it. “I asked your daughter. She's my property now. Not yours.”

Father's hands clench. His arm lifts in what I know is the start of a spell.

“I am,” I say, to distract him.

Father falters and the spell never happens, but he stays in a defensive posture.

The Envadi nods. He swishes his hand in a circle. A salmon-colored spell flies around us and forms a dome separating the four of us from the crowd and the tent. It's quiet. The only sound is breathing and the rustle of my dress as I shift positions.

“Now we can't be overheard,” he says. “Since I am to inherit immediately, I insist Serena move into one of my properties today.”

My legs weaken. There's nothing for me to hold onto. I will them to stay strong.

“That's absurd,” Father says. “The engagement ceremony has yet to take place, let alone the wedding. You can't take her from me.”

The law officer coughs. “Excuse me Councilman Stephen, but I'm afraid he can. The law states that once the contract has been signed, the woman is his property and he can do with her as he pleases as long as she remains chaste before the marriage.”

Father's eyes widen. “But no one takes a bride before the wedding.”

“I do.” The Envadi sounds relaxed, but his body is taut. Why does he want to take me with him? Is he going to take my virtue and purposely get me tarnished? The world tilts around me. A foul taste invades my mouth. I'm going to be sick.

The law officer addresses the Envadi. “You do understand, Chancellor Zade, that if you dishonor her, she will no longer be yours, but will be tarnished and you will forfeit all claims.”

The Envadi's jaw flexes several times before he says, “I'm aware.”

“Then what purpose does it serve?” Father says.

“It seems you keep forgetting she's my property, which means it's my concern. However, I know the importance of family. Any family is welcome to stay for a visit.”

“That's the only claim you'll give me over her? A visit?” Father says.

The Envadi folds his arms. “You heard me.”

“You can't do that.” Father shakes with fury.

I cringe away from him.

“Technically he can,” the officer says. “You know he has full rights to your daughter now.”

“Is there any way to get out of it?” Father asks.

“There are two ways for the betrothal contract to be broken. A man can simply withdraw, but in such case the woman is automatically assumed unfit and will become tarnished. Or a woman found to no longer be chaste. In which case she will also become a tarnished. If it's before transfer of ownership, a sum paid by the girl's Father for a false claim. If it's after transfer of ownership, she'll be tarnished with no recompense.”

“I already know that, fool. I meant is there anything else.”

“There isn't.”

“Look at her. Just look at her. She can't go to him. Do you know how much magic is in her blood?” Father splutters, his face growing redder by the moment.

I inch farther away from him. I'm getting the chance to leave him before my marriage. As he starts yelling curses, I realize I don't have to return to his house. I can't believe it. I can't.