You Are Mine (Mine, #1)(39)
“Come in,” Cynthia calls.
A tarnished enters. “The Chancellor would like to see Serena in his study.”
I swallow and put the brush down. “Tell him I'll be right there.”
She nods and leaves, closing the door behind her.
My legs wobble as I stand. This is ridiculous. I handled the ceremony, I can handle the punishment for my dress. Why doesn't my body get the message?
Cynthia puts a hand on me. “If he sends you away, will you come and say goodbye first?”
Her hand looks so small on my arm. Fragile. “If I can.”
I leave, not daring to look back for fear of losing control of my emotions. The house is void of servants. Not a sound can be heard, save for my light tread. When I arrive at the study, I pause at the door and raise a hand. My arm shakes. I let it fall to my side. How much worse can he be than Father? All this time without punishment has left me too weak. I wanted to find out how barbaric he is. I can do this.
Without further wavering, I knock.
“Come in.”
With a steadying breath, I turn the doorknob.
Chancellor Zade is working at the desk. “I'm just finishing some business. Shut the door behind you.”
I enter, closing the door behind me. This study is different in every way from Father's. There are two windows instead of one, ending waist high instead of going to the floor. The Envadi's desk is between them. Couches and chairs litter the room. Not a bookshelf in sight, though with a whole book room I doubt he needs more here. I wonder how much of this was Chancellor Jacob's and how much he brought.
I clasp my hands together and use good posture. Nothing of my behavior will give him reason to make the punishment worse. Does he prefer hexes or beatings? I bite my lower lip. How will it compare to Father's punishments?
After pushing his things aside, he rises. “Thank you for waiting. I'm not used to having such duties.” He draws nearer, his muscles evident even beneath his coat. Despite telling myself I wouldn't show fear, I can't help but retreat to the wall. “We'll be seeing more of each other. Might as well get used to it. Would you like some tea?”
A tea set and cakes wait on a table I didn't notice before. Perhaps poison is his mode of punishment. Or he wants to force that awful concoction from last night on me. I shake my head. Not if I can help it.
He shrugs, grabs a cake, and shoves the whole thing in his mouth. It's harder to be scared of him as he brushes crumbs from his face and clothes. After shoving another in his mouth and eating it, he says, “I skipped lunch.”
So, he doesn't like to do his dirty work on an empty stomach. The cake tray is loaded. I hope he wants them all. Maybe then he'll be in a better mood. Or too full to be severe.
Two more cakes are demolished. “You're not a chatty thing are you?”
Is that good or bad? Am I supposed to respond? I settle for shaking my head again.
“Guessed that when you girls never say anything at dinner. I thought a change of setting would help. Come in, sit down.”
I ease to a maroon chair and perch on it. It's harder than I was expecting. Maybe all those years of not being able to sit in Father's study isn't such a loss. He lounges across from me. A crumb remains on the corner of his lips. I concentrate on it.
“Did you get my note this morning?”
I tense. “Yes, Chancellor Zade.”
“Did you do as it said?” He studies me, gaze unyielding.
“I gave it to Phyllis.”
“Would you be willing to let me cast a truth spell on you, and ask you about the incident further?”
No. Please, no. He's a hexer for sure. “Do I have to, Master?”
When he doesn't respond right away, I realize my answer was too brash and brace for punishment. His eyes tighten as he studies my face. Finally, he lounges back. He waves his hand. I flinch and he puts it down.
“There's really no need for one,” he says. “You were telling the truth last night and if your Father gets the message, it's enough.”
Tension eases from me a bit. No punishment then. At least not now.
“Shady business. I'll take care of things though.” He grabs another cake from the tray. “Dinner should be good tonight. Cook's really working hard.”
The room is silent for a few moments. What is he leading to? I bunch my hand into a fist.
“I guess dinner doesn't interest you either.” With a sigh, he stands and gets something from his desk. “Women here are weird creatures.”
“No odder than yourself.” I clamp my jaws shut. Why did I say that?
The Envadi's brows rise. He stalks toward me and raises his arm. I flinch. Here it comes. He lowers his arm. What is he doing?
“I just wanted to give you this.” He raises his hand again, and I realize he's holding a note. It was foolish to recoil. I take it from him. “Councilman Stephen sent it after I asked where your mother was yesterday.”
The note is small in my hand. I open it.
Envadi Zade,
Agatha gave birth to a girl two days ago and was unable to attend.
Councilman Stephen
I read it twice. That's why mother wasn't there. I slouch in my chair. A girl. Another one. The news should be familiar by now, but it still hurts. How is mother doing without me there? Without Cynthia? Is one of my sisters being beaten in my place?