“Those shooting lessons I gave you were worth it.”
“I think it did more damage when I used it to knock out—” I'm not ready to think about him yet, “someone out. But when I jumped from the balcony, before I crashed to the floor something stopped me. A spell. Do you know who cast it? Was it Councilman Daniel?”
“Don't know. I didn't see.”
“Is there a way to discover who it was?” I say. “I'd like to thank them.”
“Just a moment, I'll see if I can find out.” An almost invisible pale purple light comes from him.
“Thank you for helping him,” Waverly says.
So she can marry her love, the spy. At least I'll be with my sisters now. And I won't have to worry over their punishments. “Of course.”
“I can't say exactly who it was,” Zade says, not looking at me, “but I can tell you one thing.”
“What?”
“It came from that corner by the red flowers.”
“Well, whoever it was, I'm grateful to them. I suppose we should help the guests get settled.”
And once they're settled, I'll try to figure out what it means to be free, to have responsibility over my mother and sisters, and that Zade is still alive. The price on his head maybe not be completely gone, but hopefully close enough. I move to help, a bounce in my soaked feet.
Chapter Forty-One
Curled up on the floor of the study, I stare out the picture window. Though it's been three months since the ball, it still feels like a dream. The sun is bright outside, warming the room. I keep waiting for someone to come in and punish me for something. But no one will. Not even my perpetually gloveless state is commented on.
With father locked away, no one is punished in this house. No one will ever punish my sisters again while they're under my protection. And I have what I wanted. My freedom. Except it still feels like something is missing. Something achingly big.
“Serena?” Cynthia stands at the door. “Waverly and Zade are here to see you.”
Once I'm over my shock, I say, “Send them in. You can come, as well. Wait, why don't you get Bethany first. I'm sure she'd like to talk to them.”
She smiles, bigger and brighter like she does now that father doesn't control our lives. Something is changing with her. “I will.”
After she leaves, I can't help but let my nerves take over. I haven't seen them since we left the day after the ball fiasco. The day I was supposed to marry Zade. It's been so long I was sure we'd become nothing but a distant memory to them.
Without an introduction, Waverly and Zade enter. Zade is still limping, though not as noticeably. Chadwick insisted he get a healer for it, but all the healer said was that it is an injury he will always carry. It hurts to watch him walk, to know his releasing me is partially to blame for the injury.
I can't bring myself to get off the floor even though it's not proper. To stand and show how easy it easy for me, something he'll never have again. As long as mother doesn't see me entertaining this way, I doubt anyone in this house will care. Outside of the house, well, I don't want to venture too far yet and push the bounds of my freedom.
“Please sit,” I say.
Waverly perches on the closest chair, but Zade surprises me sitting on the floor beside me. His nearness is both entrancing and disturbing.
“How have you been?” I ask.
“Fine,” Zade says.
“Bored,” Waverly groans. “And he is too, even if he won't admit it.”
He shrugs. “I guess I got used to having you and your sisters around.”
My heart clenches. “Things happen for a reason though. I'm sure you and Waverly have enjoyed the time to yourselves.”
“We haven't,” Waverly says. “I keep trying to tell Zade we needed to visit sooner, but he said you needed time to adjust. Glad I finally talked him into coming. We need something to do.”
That's why it's been so long? They thought we needed time to adjust? And they probably wanted time to themselves. “I was planning on redoing this room.” Though I don't know why they would want to help instead of being together. “It's the only reason I'm in here. Making plans to tear it apart and start over. Make it more my own. Do you have any ideas from Envado?”
“You know I do,” Waverly says.
“I could help, too,” Zade says. “You have anything specific in mind?”
“Not really. I just want a change.”
“There's a lot that's changing.”
It's so hard not to stare at him. I look at Waverly instead. It hurts as well, but not as much.
“I really don't mind helping, but I was also hoping I could have my old job back,” she says.
“What?” Why would she want to go back to being my servant when she could marry Zade?
“I miss not helping. And not hanging out with you and your sisters. It's why I came here after all.”
“Didn't you come for Zade?”