You Are Mine (Mine #1)(51)
“Then I'll only work on outfits I want to. Let me know how the ball plans go.”
“I will.”
Waverly gathers the dresses that still need alterations and packages them. The rest go in my closet. Tomorrow, I'll be able to dress myself and I owe it all to Katherine's generosity. But the conversation about the tarnished makes me wonder if there is more to her than just the generosity she has shown.
Cynthia's moving toward the door to help Katherine, when it bursts open. Chancellor Zade looms before us, his gaze stopping on Katherine.
My hand goes to my throat. Is he going to chastise me for having a tarnished over? Will he punish her for being here? It's my fault, not hers.
“I heard you had a guest,” he says.
I lick my lips. How much do I tell him? Is it worse if she's here for no reason or if he knows what she's been helping with. No reason would be worse. “Y–yes. My seamstress.”
He does the most astonishing thing. He walks to her with his hand outstretched. “Good to meet you, I'm Zade.”
With more confidence then I'd have, she places her hand in his and tilts her head down. “I'm aware of who you are Chancellor. If you'll excuse me, I was just leaving.”
“I didn't mean to scare you off.”
“We finished what we needed to.”
Will he ask what we did? If he sees the dresses, will he make me give them back? Punish her for them? I grip the side of my chair.
“I'll see you out then.” He takes a few packages from her and looks at me a moment before they depart.
The packages were within his possession. Will he open them while escorting her out? My grip tightens as I worry about what he'll do if he discovers just what kind of dresses a tarnished has been making for me.
Chapter Twenty-One
A cool breeze sends a shiver through me. Or maybe fear is making me feel colder. I pull my shawl tighter around me. Though there are guards posted and protection spells, I can't help but check around me for an intruder. If I wasn't so sick of being inside, I wouldn't bother venturing out. But staying indoors has been hard.
Stopping in front of the biggest water feature in the garden, I scan the area for signs of trouble. When none appear, I let myself relax a bit. There's been no further sign of problems. Maybe Chancellor Zade took care of them.
The pond is decorated with fish and lily pads. Flowers are blooming all around, just like the rest of the garden. With a bit of work, in two months it will be a beautiful sight and hopefully fall won't be too cool for our guests to enjoy.
I debate if I'm brave enough to go further into the garden when I hear the clomp of footsteps. I whirl toward the direction the sound comes from. Am I about to be attacked again? There's no way to ring for a servant out here. If I scream, will a guard be close enough to hear? Or will the attacker cast a spell to keep anyone from hearing my cries for help?
The sound moves closer. What should I do? Before I decide, Chancellor Zade strides around the hedge. Most of the tension drains away. Not an intruder, just the Chancellor. He's most improperly attired without his coat. Though I find myself not wanting to, I avert my gaze anyway. He doesn't look angry. Maybe he's not upset about the dresses. Or perhaps he didn't even open them.
“Enjoying the garden this morning?” His causal question eases my worries over Katherine and the dresses.
“Yes, it'll be a fine addition to our party.” My eyes drift back to him and I hurry to look away. “Aren't you cold?”
He laughs. “I'm hot. That's why I'm not wearing my jacket. I live in the mountains back home and it's always much colder than this.”
“Oh.” I wonder what mountains are like.
“I can run back to my room and get my jacket, if it'd make you more comfortable. I was working in my study. Didn't think to see you this morning, but something came for you.”
I think about his offer. I'm not sure more comfortable is the right description. It would be easier to look at him without feeling...different. “What came for me?”
“Well, it came for me, but it's really for you.” He holds out a letter, his face impassive. “It's from your Father.”
From the lack of emotion on his face, I can't tell if it will hold good or bad news. My hand quivers as I take the note. “Have you read it yet?”
“It was addressed to me, so yes I did.”
“Is it about Bethany?”
“Yes.”
It takes me a couple of tries before I'm able to open it.
Envadi Zade,
I received your request for Bethany's aid in addition to Cynthia's for planning your upcoming ball. It is a very hard request to comply with since the two older girls are already with you. But upon consideration, I realized you can't possibly manage without more help.
I must inform you that at times Bethany can be willful. You have my permission to punish her at will. She should need it often as Serena does. Expect her this afternoon.
If you have any further need, let me know and I will assist in any way that I can.
Councilman Stephen
Before rolling the paper up, I brush my fingers across the words. I hand it back and sit on a nearby bench.