“I won't.”
I hasten from the salmon spell, feeling nothing as I step though it. Zade sits within its confines, lost in thought. I want to do this. For Katherine. For the other tarnished. If I can't free myself from a warlock's control, I can at least try to help others. But even that depends on what my owner allows.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Delivering invites drags on longer than I expected. It starts at the Grand Chancellor's house. His son, Nathaniel, greets us and accepts the invitation. We don't stay long before moving on to Chancellor Ryan's house.
He's nothing like Zade. Arrogant to the point of thinking we delivered his invitation before anyone else's, even the Grand Chancellor's. I guess being only one of two Chancellors could make a person think they're above everyone, but he pushes the limits. At least none of the other councilmen we visited are as arrogant. We visit several more before heading home. After another long carriage ride this morning, we're ready to deliver more.
I stare at the next door, belonging to a house not far from my Father's where we just came from. No one came to greet us. We had to leave the invitation with the footman. I haven't even seen my littlest sister yet. Does she look more like mother or Father? What will her fate be?
After that disappointment, I was hoping we could be done, but I suppose we do need to deliver as many as we can. I brush one of Katherine's best dresses free of wrinkles and try to prepare myself for another forced conversation. At least they haven't lasted very long. Yet.
“You're doing fine,” Zade says.
Though his confidence in me heartening, I shake my head. Before I can respond, the door opens.
Like before, Zade steps forward and says the line Bethany quietly suggested. “We've brought an invitation for the household.”
“Please, come in.” The thin footman moves aside and motions us inside.
The hall is elegant. Stone tile lines the floor. White walls reach far above even Zade's head, with windows at the top. We enter and the footman closes the door behind us. The morning sun warming us from the many windows, it's a pleasant temperature. Much better than the fall air.
“Please wait and I'll see who's available.”
Once he's gone, I whisper, “It feels good in here.”
“It's spelled to feel the perfect temperature,” Zade says.
“They can do that?”
He nods. “The same spell is on our house, too.”
That explains a lot. “This is nice.”
“Yes. Councilman Daniel is level headed. Hopefully his wife is the same.”
The footman returns. “Follow me.”
He leads us to a nearby sitting room. There are more windows, lighting the golden colors of the room. Matching golden sofas and chairs are clustered together throughout. A woman waits in the middle, by the closest set. “Welcome to our home.”
This is the first time we've been greeted by a woman. It's usually just been a warlock, sometimes a wife in the background. She's much shorter than me and a pudge of a woman. The tattoo above her collar bone is a triangle with v's cut out of each corner, ringed by interlacing triangles. Simple, but unique. Her brown eyes are full of life.
Zade recovers much faster than I do. “Thank you.”
“You'll have to forgive Councilman Daniel, he's unavailable to greet you himself.”
This explains her sole presence. Yet, why let his wife greet us by herself instead of a servant?
“Don't worry about it,” Zade says.
“I don't believe we've been properly introduced. I'm Annabelle, Councilman Daniel's.”
“Pleasure to meet you. I'm Chancellor Zade and this is my intended, Serena.” I give a curtsy enjoying this introduction better than the one Thomas always gave at the tournament. “I've enjoyed working with Councilman Daniel. He's a good man.”
“Yes, he is. Won't you please sit?” She indicates a couch with a table in front of it filled with refreshments.
I perch on the couch. Once I'm arranged, Zade says, “You have some nice hunting grounds. I wonder if you'd let me explore them.”
Annabelle's smile widens. “Please, feel free. Would you like someone to show you around or do you prefer solitary exploration?”
“Solitary exploration suits me.” He kisses my gloved hand. Heat floods my checks. It must have been to help spread word that he's interested in me as a wife. Though it's only to save his life, it doesn't stop the warmth sweeping through me. “Enjoy your visit.” With a bow at Annabelle, he leaves the room.
I stare after him feeling lost. He's taken charge of everything until this point. I squeeze my hands together, wishing they were free of their gloves.
“Just us girls then.” Annabelle settles in a chair across from me.