You Are Mine (Mine #1)(46)

The way he says her name, it's different. Protective. Fellow countrymen have to stick together. Still, it's weird for him to care so much about a servant girl, even if they're from the same country. Maybe there's something else. Not just the way he says her name, but how he acted around her. Almost like caring. There has to be more to it. Maybe she's running away from the law and he's trying to help her escape. We're housing a fugitive!

“Is she supposed to be tarnished?”

He drops my hands. “What?”

“I don't mean to be rude, it's just, if you're going to break the law, the punishment will come down on me, as well. I've a right to know about it.” Really, I don't, but I want to know, and he's been more forthcoming than any other warlock.

He folds his arms. “What if I am breaking the law?”

I am being too forward. But, he didn't indicate a punishment with the question. And if it's to help someone like Katherine, I understand, maybe even agree with it. If he's not really breaking the law though, saying I support it could wind up with me being punished. Or turned into a tarnished myself. There's not an easy way to answer.

He stares at me, his face growing harder as time passes.

“I'm sure a Chancellor does what's right,” I say.

“She's not on a tarnished list. We don't have tarnished in Envado.”

It's my turn to stare at him. Once I'm recovered enough to speak, I say, “What do you do with non-magics or those who break rules then?”

“They're punished according to what fits their crime. Sometimes imprisonment, sometimes they have to fix something or help with the community. It depends.”

“What about Waverly then?”

“What about her?”

“Why's she a servant?”

“She chose to become a servant.”

“Oh.” She chose it? How does a girl choose something? I have fifteen reasons for wanting to know. And counting. A few more months and mother will probably announce another pregnancy. “How can she do that?”

He huffs. “She just decided she wanted to do it and did.” He shifts away from me. “Council meeting tomorrow, so I won't see you until the day after.”

Tension moves between us with intangible waves. The line must have been crossed somewhere. He's acting so odd, but I can't say I regret asking. Despite his behavior, I know more than before, and without getting punished for it. “Goodnight then.”

“Night.” He heads down the hall away from me.

I head up the stairs. I said too much. When will I learn to hold my tongue? Punishment would have been dealt at home. At least a knock on the head. But Chancellor Zade didn't do that. He didn't do anything. My steps slow until I come to a halt. He never does anything.

The only spells he's ever cast on me were part of the engagement ceremony. And he's never lifted a fist at me. Perhaps he's trying to lull me into state of ease so the punishment feels harsher when finally dealt. But those kisses. If that is how he's going to treat me, will society have a problem with it? They always accept that men punish us. And how would it be for me? I resume my ascent, but continue wondering about his actions, and what will happen because of them.





Chapter Nineteen





Once I'm in my nightgown, I sit at the vanity and work on taking my hair down. It's rather pleasant doing this myself. I keep thinking of how Chancellor Zade noticed my dress and said it was nice. I hope Katherine's coming tomorrow while he's gone. I'm excited to see if she's willing to design a dress for the ball. Maybe even another dress or two for the week. That's a lot to ask without pay though. I wish there was a way for me to earn some coins like Waverly's doing.

When my hair is down, I grab a brush and work through the locks. After a few strokes, there's a knock on my door. Cynthia must have an idea that she can't wait to share. “Come in.”

Waverly bounces in the room. “Evening.” She sets a tea tray on the vanity before me.

I stop brushing my hair mid-stroke. This was supposed to stop with Phyllis. Perhaps it's some other tea. There's no reason to tamper with me when I'm just going to bed. Even if it's not the Califrasum, I've no use for any type of tea.

“What's wrong?” Waverly asks.

I stare at the tea tray. “Nothing.”

“Clearly something.” She grabs the tea pot and lifts it to a cup. “We can talk about it over—”

“No.” I slam the brush on the vanity. I won't be forced into drinking it again. She stops. Is this going to bring problems like it did with Phyllis? Please tell me it won't. “I mean, no thank you. I wouldn't care for any tea this evening.”

Her forehead wrinkles. She looks from me to the tea tray and then laughs. “Oh, don't fret. Zade told me about the Califrasum fiasco.” His name rolls easily from her. “I wouldn't drink tea either if something like that happened to me. This is just warm milk.”

He told her about that? She pours a cup and then grabs another that I hadn't noticed. “I thought we could get to know each other so I can better serve you, and warm milk is always soothing before bed. Or any time really.”

I've never heard of a stranger servant. Though perhaps since Phyllis was the only one I've had, I don't have enough to compare with. “I haven't ever tried warm milk.”