You Are Mine (Mine #1)(61)

“And your sister told me you—” Waverly starts, but Zade interrupts.

“She was always grateful for my help. Always.”

She giggles. “That's not what I heard.”

“Servant gossip is highly unreliable.” He scowls.

“Actually,” Katherine says, “servants are one of the best sources of information.”

“Hah!” Waverly says.

“Envadi servants aren't like the ones from here.” Bethany's quiet voice sounds for the first time.

We all look at Waverly who blushes. “Sorry.”

Everyone bursts out laughing, except Waverly, but she quickly joins. The topic drifts back to the ball. The girls soon have lost me with the details. So many things to plan, but I can't manage to keep track of them.

“Serena?”

I glance up at Katherine. “I'm sorry, what was that?”

“I said I've finished altering a gown if you'd like to take it home. You're welcome to try it on.”

“You work fast. I'm sure it will fit fine.”

“Try it on,” Bethany says. “I'd love to see what another one is like.”

“Why don't you?” Zade asks. I stare at him and he grins at me. “I'd like to see it as well.”

That's as good as an order, yet I know I'm blushing because of it. Asserting himself is coming a little too naturally. But that must mean he does want to see me in it. “I suppose I could.”

“Please make yourselves comfortable, Chancellor, girls. Let Mavis know if you need anything,” Katherine says. “Waverly and I'll have Serena back soon.”

She leads Waverly and me back to the changing room. Katherine hands me a gown.

“You can change in there,” she points to a curtained off section of the room,

The dressing area has a small chair and a place to hang my current dress. I change, still amazed at how quickly I can manage, and by myself. I step out.

Waverly claps her hands. “Wonderful.”

“Yes, the fit is better. I added holes in all your right pockets so you could get your gun.”

“My gun? I don't have one.” I put my hand in my right pocket, and sure enough there's a hole big enough to pull out a gun.

”Chancellor Zade's orders.” He must have been more serious than I thought about making me learn. I lock my jaw as Katherine continues. “There's a mirror you can use.” She points to a full length mirror to the side, standing on a black frame. Anxious to see, I step to it.

“It does look good.” The maroon material hugs me, but gives with my movements until my waist where it flares and flows to the floor. “I should go show my sisters.”

“And the Chancellor,” Katherine says.

What will Zade think of me? I don't move from in front of the mirror.

Katherine says, “I know you don't want to marry, but you can't change it now.” She comes closer to me and adjusts my sleeve, whispering, “Unless there's something you want me to help you with?”

She did offer to help me escape. But the offer seems even less appealing than it did before, if it would actually even work. “No.”

A mischievous grin transforms her face. “What if you tried to make him fall in love with you?”

The memory of his lips on mine, makes my hands shake. “What do you mean?”

“You're dressed nice. We could do your hair a little fancier and give you some face paint. If you did that more often and then spent some time with him, try to find something you have in common.”

I play with the hem of my sleeve.

“Maybe love is too strong of a word. But you could at least be friends.”

Friends. With a warlock?

“Do you really not want to marry him?”

Whatever I say, Waverly could tell him. Yet, he said I could trust her. Even if she does tell, it won't change anything. She's been oddly silent during the whole exchange. I watch her from the corner of my eye. She's paying very close attention.

“No. I don't want to be married at all. Whether to him or someone else. It's not what I would choose for myself or my sisters. Not that women really have a choice. The thing is...”

“Go on,” Katherine says. They both look so concerned, like they really want to know.

I stare at the dress in the mirror. It laces across the front, allowing me to dress myself. Giving me the freedom, unless someone catches me breaking rules. Deep inside, my feelings burst. “You're right, Katherine, I don't want to be married, but things are different than I expected. He's never hurt me, at least not intentionally. Zade's rather kind. He's given me a lot of space and freedom.”

And how I feel around him. I don't want to think what that means. I pick up my skirt. “And apparently helped pay for clothes that I didn't need, but wanted. The freedom is wonderful, but it feels sort of false. He still owns me. Nothing will change that. How can I be friends with someone who owns me?”

I force a laugh. “Listen to me complain when I don't even have to work. I'm sorry. If I could change things for the two of you, I would.”

“Oh posh,” Katherine says. “I'm as free as I can be and you've already helped me more than you think.”

“And I wanted to be here,” Waverly says. “The laws aren't what I'd like. My mother almost fainted when I told her, but it was my choice.”