You Are Mine (Mine #1)(57)

I inch to the edge of the sofa, but he says, “Wait a moment, please. There's something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

“What is it?”

His hand clenches. “While I was healing her, I found out that she's been spelled to spy on us, though she's not aware of it. Everything she learns will be recorded through a spell that allows the caster to see and hear anytime he desires it.”

“Father.” I jump to my feet and pace the room. “I can't get away from him and now my sisters are caught between us more than ever.” Strange how everyone always speaks of the Envadi spying on us, but it's only other Chardonians who actually seem to do it. I stop and turn to face him. “Cynthia was talking about the ball and our rooms and our lack of chores. He'll know you've healed her.”

“Yes.”

“I don't think he would care much except I'm the one that begged you to. If he finds out it'll be seen as a weakness.” For a warlock, it is a weakness. But it feels like strength. I take a step closer to him. “Why did you do it?”

“A better question is, how could anyone not do it?”

His face doesn't hint of a smile or laugh hiding behind his sorrow. He's serious. It was the right thing to do in his mind. I slouch against the sofa. How can he be like this? It should be a test of how long I'll continue being willful. As soon as I believe he really means his kindness, he'll transform it into punishment, but he hasn't yet. He moves to levels of compassion I've never seen. I've never had someone test me this long before. Can he really be so kind to a woman?

“Do you think your Father will demand her return?”

I shake my head. “I don't know.”

“We'll hope it doesn't come to that. Do you have any idea why he's so intent on spying on us?”

“No idea. Why are you even asking me?”

“You've grown up here. You'd know things like that better than me.”

“Us women aren't told things like that. What do you think?”

His fist raps against the arm rest a few times. “Venturing a guess, just a guess, I'd say it's two fold. If he can discredit the barbaric Envadi that has snuck onto the council, it would gain him much favor. At council meetings, he makes his dislike for me very apparent.”

“That sounds like him. He never says much about his job, but I know he was hoping to be one of the next Chancellors.” It's strange to discuss warlock issues, but somehow natural at the same time. I want to learn more. “What's the second part of guess?”

“You. The law is a little different if I'm an unsuitable owner. If he can find and prove that I've broken the law before we marry and you become pregnant, you'd be returned to his ownership. He'd have the chance to arrange another marriage that would benefit him.”

There's another way out of the law besides me becoming tarnished? Looking at Zade now, I'm not sure if that would be to my determent or aid. I'm still uncertain about him, but more hopeful than I've ever been. I know I never want to be owned by Father again. “I didn't know I was so valuable to him.”

“Very much so. If I were to die or be discredited enough to be kicked off the council and exiled from the country, he would get some of my money and possessions. Unless he's also rendered incapable, then it would go to the next closest relative.”

Everyone else is dead. But it doesn't matter, Father isn't going anywhere.

He says. “Can you see why Councilman Stephen would be eager for something to happen to me? Not only would he have some of my money and possessions, but he'd be able to obtain even more power and money with another son-in-law.

“He's renewed the application for your entrance into the marriage pool, just in case something should happen to me. Many of those previously seeking your hand who haven't found a wife are aware and have been encouraged to keep an eye on me.”

The thought of being in the marriage pool again, having to put up with someone like Thomas instead of Zade sickens me, but with under-lying flames of anger. No wonder his life is being threatened. “Do you know our laws well enough not to break them?”

“I do.”

“No Chardonian would have healed Bethany. You aren't from here and you act like it.”

“Trust me, I'm very aware. But you might be surprised by some of your countrymen,” he says. “I know the laws. I can keep up well enough in public. I'll just have to be more careful at home than I was already.” After a moment's hesitation, he says, “Especially with you.”

Not me. I knew it sounded too good. I don't want to do this. Anything else but this. But he just healed Bethany. I have to. “Are you...did you want to leave a bruise now or later?”

Zade springs from the chair, his face contorted with anger. “I'm not going to hurt you. I won't go back on my word.”

“But the laws.”

“The laws say nothing about beating and hexing women. Nothing.”

Shock jolts through me. “It doesn't?”

“No.”

My whole life, I thought Father had to punish women. We are such an unwieldy gender, he needed to at least take one of us in hand. “How–how can it not say that? I thought—He always—” I try to gather my thoughts. “What does it say?”