You Are Mine (Mine #1)(59)

I head back for the Chancellor. After trying so hard this morning to avoid him, here I am rushing back. I go straight for the dining room, hoping he's still there. When I enter the dining room, he's still at the table, spells hovering before him. More spells of different colors flash through the window every so often, joining the others. I wait at the other side of the room where he can see me, wondering what the spells are for.

Several minutes later he says, “Why are you standing there?”

“Because I need to speak with you?”

“Then come here and talk.”

I don't dare get any closer. “What are those spells doing?”

He looks at the lights, then at me. With a wave of his hand, a black one zooms out the window. Though there are still several in front of him, no new ones appear. “They're bringing me news from home and around Chardonia.”

“How can you get news from light?”

“Come here, I'll show you.”

I hesitate a moment, but not long. I'm too curious. Once I'm next to him, he waves his hand and a green light moves to the front. I gasp. From this angle, the light is made of words.

“I've never seen anything like it.”

“I don't suppose you would. Seems like Chardonians like to keep most magic from women.”

Could it be true? It makes sense. Most spells I've seen have been hexes. Father occasionally did something different like chill his wine, but that happened rarely.

“I know you didn't come here to talk about this. What did you need?”

“You've been scolding me,” I blurt out, still thinking of how I know mostly hexes. What else can they do with magic?

“No, I've been reading the paper. If you're referring to last night, forget I mentioned anything. About the kiss any way. I'm serious about everything else that was said.”

My face warms at mention of this kiss. “Not about that. I told the girls you've been scolding me for going out on my own.”

“Why?”

I lower my voice. “Because we're being spied on and it just isn't done. I love doing it, but it gives people an impression you don't want to make. Sure it's not against one of the laws you listed, but it's still expected. This is a good way for you to show your dominance. Take control of your possessions.” When he says nothing, I continue, “Unless you don't want to take us to town. We could stay home. That would show your dominance as well.”

After staring at me a moment, he rubs the bridge of his nose. “What are you doing in town?”

“Taking the girls to see my seamstress.”

His voice deepens. “We've got to get ready for the ball, woman. Call for the carriage.”

I gape at him. He waves a hand at me and I stumble from the room feeling confused. Why did he suddenly become so harsh? After a few moments, I realize he was teasing. It's something I've done with my sisters, but never a warlock. Not sure how to feel about that, I find the girls and call for the carriage.

Once everyone is ready, we begin loading into the carriage, except Zade who rides alongside on horseback. Waverly pouts over not being able to ride with him. He insists it isn't proper in Chardonia. When Cynthia and Bethany aren't watching, he winks at her. I spin away from them, a twisting in my gut.

The ride is filled with talk of the ball, Cynthia and Bethany quickly drawing Waverly out of her pout. I stare at the solid doors, wishing I could watch the scenery go by. If I learned to ride a horse like Waverly, I could be out there as well. If it got rid of dealing with carriage sickness, it would be worth it. Wait— What am I thinking? Horses are huge and have big eyes. Not to mention, Zade's right, it isn't proper.

When the carriage stops, the footman opens the door, and everyone else piles out. I wait, giving myself a minute to let my stomach settle.

Zade leans in. “Are you coming?”

A breeze blows in from outside, cooling me. “Yes, I just need a moment.”

“She gets carriage sickness,” Bethany calls out.

“You do?” Zade asks.

“Yes.”

“That's easy enough to fix. I have a spell that would help if you'd like.”

Should I allow him to cast a spell on me? I've never wanted a spell cast on me before, but it would be nice not to be ill. The truth spell wasn't so bad. “Does it hurt?”

“Not at all.”

Maybe spells other than hexes aren't so bad. The light spell he showed me that brings news wasn't. I take a deep breath. This well help me feel better. I can let him do it. “Then yes, would you please?”

“Of course.” A blue light glides from his hand and surrounds me before penetrating my skin. My stomach instantly settles.

“How's that?”

“Much better, thank you.”

“Glad I could help.”

He holds out a hand. An unfamiliar tingle races through me as my gloved hand touches his. As soon as I'm on the ground, I let go of his hand, though part of me doesn't want to, but the feeling continues. After I straighten my skirt, he pulls the door of the shop open. I'm more aware than ever of his close presence when I pass him.

Katherine looks up, with puffy eyes, from speaking with another tarnished. “Welcome. I'm so glad you all came. This is my assistant, Mavis. Please, come in.”