You Are Mine (Mine #1)(76)

He takes his chair. “Proceed.”

There's a shuffle of movement. I chance another peek, though Zade is still pointing down. A tarnished is being led in the room. By the curves beneath her robe and delicate nose, I'd guess a woman. What's she doing here? I thought no woman had been before.

Her eyes are glazed, but her face is pure and clean save for the black tendrils of ink curling over her face. A servant helps her onto the table. My breathing quickens. What is going on? She lays with her head at the Grand Chancellor's place. The tournament flashes through my mind.

The Grand Chancellor casts a golden spell. After the gold recedes, silver gleams in his hands. At first I think it's part of the spell, but then realize the object holds its shape. The sharp blade of a dagger. It darts toward her.

My vision sways. Sacrifice. They're going to sacrifice her. My small breakfast threatens to come back. I focus on breathing. Once I've more control, I force my gaze away from the scene and clench my fists. No matter what happens, I can't do anything. No screaming, no fainting, no intervening. What would yelling do? The fact that I'm here is going to endanger Zade more. Calling out would only make his fate and my own worse, not save the girl.

There's not a sound. I count to twenty. Maybe it's not what I thought it was. I chance another glance, hoping I misunderstood.

The girl's eyes have gone from dazed to lifeless. Her face is white, making the ink more vivid against her skin. The tip of the dagger drips crimson on the table next to her.

A hole is above her collar bone. From it runs a thin, red line staining the side of her neck. No other blood taints the scene, but she's clearly dead. I bite my lower lip. Hard.





Chapter Thirty-Two





It's difficult to tell under the light of the sun, but the Grand Chancellor appears to be glowing again, just like after the sacrifice at the tournament. He claps three times. Four servants come in and take hold of the woman's remains. Pinpricks of light fill my vision. I hold my head down and take slow, deep breaths. Despite my efforts, I almost faint. I think of my sisters. Let them fill my thoughts. Finally, the world comes back into view. Though still dizzy, I resume standing straight.

The scraping of chairs and chatter of voices fills the room. I knot my hands together. The servant next to me moves to the Grand Chancellor. I sneak a glimpse. The council is relaxing, servants filling their glasses, one is getting his shoulders massaged. Once the glasses are filled, the servants return to their posts.

“Before we get to the agenda,” the Grand Chancellor says, “I'd like to be informed why a female is in our meeting.”

“Hear, hear,” Father says. “If she were mine, I wouldn't permit it.”

Zade straightens in his chair. “I believe that's no longer your decision. I've a right to do whatever I wish with my possessions.”

“You can't break the law no matter your ownership. One of my own possessions has been informing me of what's going on in your household.” Father's words cut into me. Bethany. What information has he gotten from the spell on her? Coming was a bad idea.

“What information is that?” The Grand Chancellor asks.

I hold my breath as Father says, “They've been visiting the tarnished area of town. Getting dresses that are two pieces and not just one. Dresses they can get in and out of by themselves.”

Silence. Are they going to tarnish me now and kill Zade for not keeping control of me? I stare at Zade though I can't see his face. I didn't mean to bring this on him.

“I don't think there's a law that dictates how women dress,” Councilman Daniel says. “There's only the guidelines in the Woman's Canon.”

My chin quivers. I work to hold it still. Will his words be enough to save us?

“Unfortunately,” Chancellor Ryan says, “he's correct. Maybe we should look into changing that.”

“Put it on the agenda for a different day,” the Grand Chancellor says. “Today is full and we have yet to address the issue of why a woman is present.”

Will they really let us wear what we want? Not punish Zade or me for it? For now at least, it appears that way. But it also sounds like they are going to make plans to correct the oversight. I don't know whether to be relieved, angry, or sombered by the thought.

“But—” Father starts, but the Grand Chancellor ignores him.

“She may be your possession, Chancellor Zade, but I see you're still not used to our customs. No woman except the sacrifice has ever been allowed to our meeting. Are you offering her as one?”

My airway constricts. I picture myself laying on the table. I grip my hands tighter. Is the altar about to become my final resting place? I won't allow myself to be taken without a fight.

“I'm sure you'd love the power of her blood, but that's not why she's here.”

Power of my blood? What does that mean? Is that why the Grand Chancellor was glowing? The magic in her blood combines with their own?

“Then, please do tell us why she's here so we can move on to more important matters.”

“I felt it would be a good lesson, having her here submitting to my will. In fact,” he turns toward the servant next to me, “give her the jug, she can keep my glass full.”

The servant next to me thrusts the jug at me. Wine splashes on my cloak. I grab hold of it and try to mimic how the others are holding it. It's heavy.