She mouths, “I'm fine.”
The expression on her face is sincere. I purse my lips. After considering a moment, I move to the rug next to her, curling my legs beneath me.
“Don't sit on the floor.” He stands, moving toward the desk. “Let me get you a chair.”
“I prefer the floor.”
He grumbles back into his seat. With another survey of the room, he says, “This is great. The desk looks like it'll fit my needs. This chair is the best I've sat in since I got here. I can't believe you both did this for me. I'm such a fool.”
“You didn't tell Serena to do it?” Cynthia asks.
I cringe. For a moment, he's thoughtful. “I guess I did. It just turned out so great.”
My face heats. “Glad it meets your expectations.”
It's clear he doesn't know what to think as he cocks an eyebrow at me.
“We're delighted,” Cynthia says. “We've been waiting for it and worried you wouldn't like it after all the work we've been through.”
“It's really great work.” He sets his elbow on the arm of the chair and rests his chin on his palm. “While you were getting it ready, did you happen to come in here?”
Trouble. “Yes. Sorry, I wanted it to be a surprise when it arrived.”
“Of course. When did you come in?”
“A couple weeks ago,” Cynthia answers. “You should have seen the shopkeeper's face when we went without you. But as soon as he realized the order was for you, he promised he'd have his servants working full time on it.”
“I expect he'll be sending you a rather large bill soon,” I say. Will it bring more trouble, or does he really like it?
“I'll watch for it.” He chuckles. “Next time you want to surprise me, don't use my room. Or tell Waverly. I knew someone had come here and was worried.”
The comment about Waverly bothers me, but I focus on his last thought. Did he think we were one of those trying to take his life?
“How did you know we were here?” Cynthia asks.
“A spell that always wards my room. Usually, it tells me who's been here. But it didn't this time. I thought it must have been a powerful warlock, but now I'm wondering if it's the strength of magic concentrated in you two interfering. Naivety can be powerful. And Serena's blood is strong with magic. Its made my own powers increase ever since...”
“Ever since what?” Cynthia asks.
But I know he won't say. He can't say anything about the ceremony when my blood, teeming with magic, joined his. Did that mean something more than just tradition? I shyly peer at him. It's not like I can ask with the spell preventing me from talking about it.
“Not important.” After gazing back at me a moment, he shakes his head. “I wonder if you're as strong as your sister, Cynthia.”
Behind me, she wiggles. “You can check if you'd like. But I must warn you, blood isn't my favorite thing.”
The fact that she asks should surprise me more than it does, but I must be too used to her talking of marriage. This is a way to know what her offers will be like. It breaks a rule though, to ask Zade to do it. She's spending too much time around me. Becoming more and more outspoken and careless of the rules. I doubt it was a side effect of spying Father wanted. “She usually faints at the sight of it.”
Something whacks me on the shoulder. I twist and wink at her.
She blushes. “It's true.”
“Blood isn't necessary. It's a little more accurate, but not much,” Zade says. “I'd only need to hold your hand. It's not a problem for me, but are you sure you want to?”
“I'm sure.”
He crosses over to us and sits next to me, but facing her. His body heat brushes my arm. A faint of scent of citrus drifts from him. I move around so I can watch.
Cynthia holds her hand out to him and he envelopes it with his own. He stares into her eyes. It's uncomfortable to watch. I brush a speck off my dress. This is silly. She's bound to be like me. We shouldn't have him check. It could get us in trouble if someone finds out.
“Amazing,” he whispers. They let go of each other, but he stays next to me.
Cynthia looks like a Chancellor's wife situated above us. Straight back. Head lowered. Hands clasped on her lap. Her silver earrings and necklace wouldn't be allowed, but otherwise, she's perfect. Except it's not her. I'm the one who will fail at it.
“Well?” She says.
“I almost don't believe it,” he says, “but it's true. You possess even more magic than your sister. I've rarely, if ever come across such strong magic. Just think what you could do with that kind of power.”
“Father will be anxious to marry me off.”
“No,” I shout. Their gazes flash toward me. I swallow and lower my voice. “She doesn't need to worry about a husband, yet. There are a few months left.”
When she doesn't contradict me right away, I wonder if she's too angry to speak.
“Surely not,” Zade says, his voice going cold. “I forgot myself. If you ladies will excuse me, I've had a long day.”