You Are Mine (Mine #1)(64)

“Chancellor Zade, didn't think to see you here. This is—” his gaze roams over me. “Your intended? What are you bringing her here for?”

It's then I realize that this is a warlock. No tattoos and a full head of hair. Do they wander down here often? His words to Zade make me think not, yet he is here. Better than him being the person threatening Zade's life, yet my muscles grow even more taut. What if he sees the dress I'm wearing?

“Just showing her where she'll end up if she misbehaves. Really none of your business though, Councilman Barkley.”

Another councilman. Worse and worse. My chest tightens. I step back and lower my head, watching them interact through my lashes.

The man casts a gray apology spell. “So magnanimous of you to share such a grand idea. I'll have to bring my woman here next time she misbehaves. We have children so I can't really do it, but she doesn't need to know that.”

Memories of Father punishing mother surfaces. A part of me wants to force this man's ideas back on himself. The other part wants to find his wife and comfort her. Maybe even hide her from him. But none of those things can happen. I'd be dead or tarnished and Zade along with me.

“If you think it will help,” Zade says.

“Course it will. The only thing that scares them more than us is the thought of becoming tarnished. Isn't that why you brought her here?”

“Women behave differently to punishments is all.”

“No, no, you've finally stumbled on a good idea. You haven't owned a woman long enough to know, but they need a firm hand. Remember that advice with your new toy.”

I'm not a toy. Anger burns deep in my chest, but I do nothing. There's nothing I can do.

“Course Envadi scare them plenty. Must work well for you, huh?” the Councilman asks.

“As you say.”

“Your woman does seem upset.” His eyes roam over me and I'm extra grateful for the cloak hiding my dress. I try to pull my expression into a neutral one. When did I get so bad at hiding my feelings?

Zade steps in front of me. “She's not yours to worry over.”

“Right you are.” The man chuckles. “About the proposed tarnished law, you're going to support it.”

“I haven't researched it enough to know, yet.”

“Best get to it then. Being nineteen doesn't excuse you from not doing your work.” He's only nineteen? I didn't know he was so young. The man continues, “The Grand Chancellor was working on the council at eighteen. You've no excuse. We expect better.”

“That we can agree on.”

It's silent. The type of silence there used to be before Father punished me. I shift a bit so I can see the Councilman. His eyes are narrowed at Zade as if searching for a deeper meaning. “Good. Best be on my way. Got a lunch appointment waiting for me, if you take my meaning. Before you leave, you should take her by the Red District, too. That will put the fear in her.”

My cheeks flame as he passes by, his gaze lingering. Zade moves in front of me again. The man laughs as he passes out of sight. I can't decide whether I'm more angry about his behavior or my inability do anything about it.

Quietly, Zade says, “Sorry.”

Despite the warmth of my cloak and the mild day, I shiver. “It's not you.”

“But I want to—” He huffs and puts his hands on his hips. “Things shouldn't be like this, for you, for women, for the tarnished.”

“What should they be like?”

He finally looks at me. “Different.”

What does he know that he's not saying? Maybe he doesn't know anything. Maybe he's just wishing aloud. I've wished it enough myself. Yet, there has to be more. I want there to be a reason behind the thought. How can things be different?





Chapter Twenty-Six





A couple weeks later, I debate whether or not to include Waverly in on an idea I have. She would be the perfect person to consult, but something about how close she and Zade are stops me.

“Anything else?” she asks.

“No, thank you.” I'll ask Cynthia to assist. Bethany may help mother with the parties, but Cynthia helps mother with the furniture. And I won't have to spend extra time around Waverly wondering what's between her and Zade.

I head for Cynthia's room and knock on her door.

“Morning,” she says. “Come in. One of the servants wanted to fix my hair, but she couldn't get it the way Waverly has been doing yours. I was going to attempt it myself, but if I can't figure it out either, I was going to give Waverly a ring. What do you think?”

“Let me help.” I settle myself behind her.

While I do her hair, I worry over asking her. Maybe I shouldn't. Women don't make decisions like this. We always wait for the men to tell us to do them. But I really want to do something to help Zade. Forget what others think I should be doing, I will do this. “When we're done here, would you help me with something.”

“With what?

“The Chancellor isn't comfortable in any of the furniture we have. We should get him items that are bigger.”

“That's easy enough to fix. Did he have anything specific in mind?”

“Not really. At least one bigger chair.” It seems silly not to correct her, but it's strange for me to do this without being asked. And he would be more comfortable in things his size. Besides it's a way I can return the favor for everything he's done. “And I haven't seen his bed chamber, but perhaps a bigger bed. A better chair in the dining room, as well. Things for his study?”