You Are Mine (Mine, #1)(40)

Chancellor Zade kneels next to me so our eyes are level. My heart clenches as I realize the coming threat. “Congratulations on another sister.”

The sting of my sorrow sharpens. Of course I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up that he wouldn't punish me. It's only fitting I'm punished. He's just a different type of punisher than Father. False good wishes over another sister, burning the already painful news. I glare at the note and will the tears rising in my eyes to go away. His hand raises. I duck.

With a grunt, he pulls himself up and goes back to his desk. “That's all.” I hold the note out, but he brushes me away. “I don't need it. You can keep it. Show Cynthia.”

I clutch the note to me as I escape the room. Not only does he want to torture me, but Cynthia as well. The pain grating in my chest intensifies. This subtle form of punishment is worse than being hit or hexed. Much worse.

***

The soup course is served. I watch Cynthia. Her eyes are puffy. She must have cried for some time after I told her the news. Potato soup. I concentrate on not spilling. The Envadi's gaze is on me, but I avoid looking at him. Too much pain there. I didn't think my new Master would be so cruel as to rub in the fact we have another sister.

The courses continue as such. Me peeking at Cynthia. Chancellor Zade peeking at me. Silent. Just like a woman is supposed to be. Except in those moments I can't stop myself from mouthing off.

Finally, dessert is served. A creamy peach treat, though cook has added some strawberries to my plate. At least some good has come of my mouthiness. Someone knows I like strawberries and is going out of their way to give them to me. Bless her kindness, but I don't have an appetite. I dip my fork in, but before I can eat, the Envadi speaks.

“I have a council meeting here tomorrow. You ladies enjoy dinner without me. Best do it in your rooms though. In fact, stay in your rooms all day. Dinner will be brought to you.”

Since we aren't allowed on the second floor at Father's, I've never seen the council room. The Chancellor hasn't given us that restriction. I wonder what room he'll use for the meeting.

Eating dinner in our rooms, that will easily be accomplished. Cynthia grins at me and, though I don't feel any joy, I return it. We haven't had a dinner to ourselves since Chancellor Zade's last council meeting. They're always my favorite nights.

“Would you like me to request anything special from cook?”

I stare at him, but Cynthia says, “Can we have duck?”

How can she answer him so casually?

“No problem. I shot a few this morning, I'm sure cook would be willing to prepare them. How would you like it?”

“It doesn't matter, I love duck. She prepared it once before when you were at a meeting and it was simply delicious.”

“I'll speak with her. What about you, Serena?”

My name on his lips sounds different. “I haven't had enough variety to know.”

“Then we'll have to change that. Did you like the duck, too?”

“It was unusual, but gratifying.”

“I had to bribe her into trying it,” Cynthia says. “You should have seen the look she gave when they brought it out still looking bird-like. I feared she would forget her manners and leave me to dine by myself.”

I glare at her. Why is she telling him this? “I wouldn't leave you to such a fate.”

“You did the time Father ordered the whole boar brought to the table.”

And was hexed for it later. Chancellor Zade's laughter booms through the room.

My cheeks heat. “I was seven. Things are different at that age. I feared he would spring to life and eat me.”

I attempt to mask my embarrassment as his laughter grows and Cynthia joins him. They're absurd. At least I had the excuse of being young, they have nothing. I spear a strawberry.

“I didn't know that was the reason for your running away,” Cynthia says. “How awful. Should we tell cook to be sure and cut the duck before it's brought out?”

Ridiculous. “A duck isn't large enough to eat a grown woman.”

Chancellor Zade nods. “It's true. Ducks don't eat women. If we ever have boar though, I'll be sure they carve it before bringing it out.”

Cynthia giggles.

I jolt to my feet. I won't sit through this if I don't have to. “If you will excuse me, I'm exhausted.”

I escape the room wondering if a hex will shortly follow like Father would have cast, freezing me in place to keep me from running. When nothing happens, I give a sigh of relief and hurry to my room. When did Cynthia decide to consort with the Envadi? Didn't his punishment affect her as much as me?





Chapter Seventeen





Phyllis pours tea for Katherine and me. Though I have obeyed the Envadi's request not to leave my room, Katherine managed to sneak in the servant's entrance. I'm grateful she did, her presence is a welcome relief on a day like this one. Though I hope the fact that Phyllis knows she's here doesn't cause problems.

When Phyllis finishes setting up the tea tray, she hovers close by.

“We have no further need of your services, Phyllis,” I say.

She eyes Katherine. “I don't mind staying.”

“That will be all. You're excused.”