You Are Mine (Mine #1)(88)

Before Zade can utter a word, I stand. “I should get ready as well.”

“Will you think on my offer? I don't want you trapped.”

There's really no other choice. If it shows the council, and everyone else, that he can take control of women by tarnishing me and saves his life, it's what I want him to do. I'm just want a little time to process my new fate. “I'll think on it.”

“Very well.”

As I hurry to my room, I can't help but feel confused and uncomfortable. A spy. It makes sense. I should have guessed before. It makes sense he would want to get rid of me whether or not he was to be killed.

Being a tarnished wouldn't be so bad. Katherine said the hardest part was getting to where she is. I could do it. I can do it. I just have to leave him behind in the process. Leave him, to save him. Losing more freedom will be worth it.





Chapter Thirty-Eight





I twist my hands together and wait for the door to open. It's been hours since I left Zade, and the strain of our conversation keeps pressing harder on me. My room seems extra empty. Cynthia isn't here and won't be coming. The dress made just for her won't be used. I've always been with her. How can I do this without her? She must be taking the brunt of Father's anger. Perhaps I should break her out. Easier than the other path I'm faced with.

The door opens. Waverly steps in. Not my ball gown then. Which won't fix my problems anyway, but would at least give me something to do.

“Zade wants to know when you'll be ready to talk with him.”

It hits me. How she always says his name. How they're both from the same country. How they knew each other from before. How familiar he is with her. My stomach clenches. I grab onto the bedpost and cling to it. His offer wasn't just about saving his life or getting me away from Father. It's about his previous fiancee. She's the one he wants.

“Tell him...” that he doesn't have to worry about me. I'll do what I can to save his life and I'll figure something out with my own. “After I'm dressed I can talk. Katherine should be here with my gown soon.”

“I saw her coming. I'll let him know, then I'll be back to help.”

The last thing I want is to spend more time with her. She's been wonderful, but I can't handle being around Zade's love right now. “Why don't you get yourself ready? It's a big night for you, as well.” I wonder if she knows how big yet.

“I want to help you though, it's my job.” She stares at me a moment. “What if I brought my stuff back here? Then we could all get ready together.”

I force a smile. “Sounds nice.”

Before she leaves, Bethany enters the room. Her navy dress glitters with silver sparks of magic, hair twisted up between Chardonian strictness and Envadi freedom. A single tendril escapes behind her right ear. She must have already seen Zade because silver sparks also adorn her hair. Matching silver earrings and necklace glow faintly. Zade must have spelled those, as well. Her face paint is modest and becoming. A little red on her lips and cheeks. But the true beauty is the natural glow she exudes.

“She's ready, Katherine,” she says into the hall.

Finally, it's here. I'll get to see it. I wait for Katherine to enter with my dress. I don't know why I'm so nervous all of the sudden. Easier to be nervous over a dress than saving Zade and losing the freedom I've gained being with him.

Katherine appears in the doorway. She holds a gown of burgundy. It shimmers in the light. She brings it to me, a grin gracing her face. Without a word, I run my hand across it. It's as soft as flower petals. So many emotions course through me. I wish Cynthia was here. And mother.

I want to wear this. I want to be beautiful. Tonight at least. Zade may love another, but we're still connected from the engagement ceremony. I'll make that connection worth having one last time.

“Put it on,” Bethany calls.

Before I can move, the gown changes. It's a lovely green. The laces are on the sides and the arms go halfway down the dress. Simple, but gorgeous.

I suck in a breath. “What happened?”

Waverly beams. “Katherine made more than one gown and Zade spelled them together into one. It'll change every ten to fifteen minutes.”

The causal reference to Zade twists in my chest. I try to ignore it and center my attention back to Katherine. “You made me two gowns?”

She blushes. “Three actually. I was timing it so the best would be last.”

The twisting in my chest turns to tightening. I swallow. “You shouldn't have done so much. It's more than I hoped for. Just these two are stunning.” I stop before I begin to cry. “Thank you.”

“Let's get you into the gown before it changes again.”

“Yes, put it on,” Waverly says. “I'll be right back to see it.” She scurries out the door.

With Katherine and Bethany's help I change from my robe to the gown. It's not easy to get into like my new dresses, but I suppose for an occasion like this it's fine. If I waited until the first gown spelled back, I could manage on my own. It looked easy enough. This version still has a pocket with a slot to reach my gun. Knowing Katherine, they all do.

As they finish helping, I can't help but ask, “Is there a ring of green in my eyes?”