by Janeal Falor
I tilt forward. The crowd has never been so riveted by a duel and their interest pulls at me. For the first time, I want to know what those flashes of light and color are doing. A yellow light opens a gash in the Envadi's arm. He thrusts a charcoal light back. It bursts into a cloud of darkness around Thomas. During the distraction, the Envadi focuses a teal spell at the wound. It knits closed. The crowd boos. A moment later, Thomas flings a burst of white light in the sky, clearing the cloud cover.
Thomas throws his head back in a laugh. An amber spell shoots from him, hitting with a pop. The Envadi staggers. Before he rights himself, he casts his own spell. Unlike those before, it doesn't smash into Thomas's or explode. It surges straight for his adversary. The silvery light slams into Thomas's chest. His mirthful face freezes. The life drains from him. His expression crumples. A strange, croaking sound escapes his mouth. He collapses to the ground.
The crowd jumps to their feet with a gasp. I stare at Thomas's form, looking so much like it did last night. The judge races for his body. It only takes a moment to reach him. As he looks Thomas over, I come to my feet and move to the front wall of the box. I lean against it, my body swaying.
All is silent as another warlock rushes to the judge's aid. Together, they work on Thomas. Both cast numerous spells. But as far as I can tell, Thomas doesn't move. Not a flinch, not a sound. Their spells slow until they completely stop. The judge stands and looks, not at the Grand Chancellor like I'm expecting, but right at me. His eyes wide.
“Dead.”
The masses let out a cry. Some fall to their seats. Dead? How can he be dead? He's supposed to lord over me, not die. Can I really be free of him? My chest lightens.
Someone tugs on my arm. Cynthia. She forces me to drink the brew I avoided earlier. Then another. With shaking hands, she drinks one herself and helps me to my chair. Everything goes abnormally silent. The soothing concoction already sweeping through me. I grow distant from myself. The scene before me further away than ever.
The Envadi bends to the ground, his fingers swirling in the dirt. His lips move with words, but they don't carry, even in the silence. Once they stop, he brushes the dirt off and stares straight at me. Even from my distant state, goosebumps raise on my arms.
“Citizens.” The Grand Chancellor's voice draws my gaze. He stands, face void of expression. “We will all mourn the loss of Chancellor Thomas. He was a rising star, fated to leave his potential unfulfilled.” He pauses. “As our tournament rules dictate, Envadi Zade now becomes Master of all Chancellor Thomas had.” He holds his hand out to the Envadi. “Chancellor Zade.”
The Envadi's eyes are still watching me. He nods his head.
Suddenly, Father is yelling from the Grand Chancellor's box. “You will not have her!”
The words take a moment to find me through the muffle my world has become. As the significance of his words take hold, the field becomes splotched with black. I blink a few times. The whole world darkens.
Chapter Seven
“She's coming around.” Cynthia's voice floats somewhere above, but close. My tongue is thick and heavy and tastes coppery. Something wet brushes my forehead.
“Good. I want her presentable,” Father says. “Make sure to fix her face paint. Give her something nicer to wear. Maybe I can still convince them she shouldn't be given away.”
The sound of footsteps crunching through dirt is followed by silence. The cool cloth dampens my forehead again. It leaves. I open my eyes and blink against the light. Canvas hangs above me. I don't remember being in a tent. Last I remember, Father was yelling and—Oh!
“Hush, now,” Cynthia says. “I'm here.”
She holds a cup to my lips. “Come on, drink up.” I shake my head. “Don't worry it's just water.”
I gulp the cool liquid. After finishing, I lay back. “What happened?”
“What do you remember?”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I say, “Father yelling that the Envadi can't have me.”
I look at her. She nods and sets the glass and cloth on the nightstand. “That went on for a while, until they realized you'd fainted. Father's request was denied and you were brought here.”
“How long has it been?”
“Longer than I thought you'd be out. After about five minutes you seemed to be coming around. Father got to you though and I believe he spelled you to stay unconscious. It's been seven hours.”
“Seven hours?” I clutch tighter to the blanket on me. “The tournament?”
“Over. The Grand Chancellor's son, Nathaniel won.”
“What about...”
She looks at the tent entrance. “The Envadi has been waiting outside this whole time, even forfeiting his place in the tournament. I think Father finally realized waiting longer wouldn't do any good.”
A chill sweeps across me. I pull the blanket higher. “I'm his then?”
Cynthia places a hand on my arm. The touch is foreign, but soothing. “It appears that since your marriage contract was signed and sealed by both Father and Chancellor Thomas, that yes, you are the Envadi's.” She pulls her hand away and clears her throat. “How are you feeling? Are you ready to sit so I can fix your face paint?”
“I'd rather stay here.”
“I know.”
I groan. After putting it off another moment, I roll onto my side and sit up. My body is loose and limber. After everything that's happened it should feel worse. “I feel better than I have for a while. Aside from being engaged to an Envadi.”
“Father must have healed you as he woke you.”
I put my hand to my leg. It's not tender anymore from my punishment earlier in the week. Why would he choose to do that now? Cynthia hands me a mirror and starts applying the paint. My skin is perfectly smooth and clear, not even a blemish. I haven't been free of those since I was twelve. I didn't know magic could get rid of them.
“Is he angry?”
She applies pink powder to my cheeks. “Not at anything we can change.”
“It's going to be difficult when we get home.”
“Unless something perks him up soon. Stop talking so I can paint your lips.” When I close my mouth, she smooths the cold cream across them. After she's finished, she points to a gown on the foot of my cot. “Father wants you to wear this. Let me help you with it.”
My dark emerald one is wrinkled, but still presentable. “What's wrong with the one I'm wearing?”
She shrugs. “I think he's hoping to remind everyone what a good catch you are. Maybe then they won't be so willing to give you to the Envadi.”
That explains the healing then. Will it work? I stand and face away from her. While she loosens the laces, I contemplate my fate. I didn't think it could get worse than marriage to Thomas, but clearly I was mistaken. The dress slips from my shoulders and I step into the mud colored one. It's not my favorite, but it matches my eyes. Cynthia tightens the laces. I hold a breath in so I'll have more space when she's finished.
An Envadi. How could this happen? The memory of the one helping me after the feast comes to mind. He did come when I needed aid. I don't know any warlock that would assist a girl in such a state. It's more likely that he was looking for someone to thrash rather than aiding me. He was rather rough with Thomas.
“Are you finished?” I ask.
After a final tug around the neck of my dress, she says, “Done. Do you want me to come with you?”
Yes. “No. I'll manage.” While pulling my gloves on, I face her. “I'll be back soon.”
She sniffs and nods. “He's giant. Don't let it scare you.”
“I won't.” I flee the tent before I tear up.
Outside Father waits, fat lips crinkled into a scowl. Next to him is a law officer, thin with a bushy mustache, tapping his foot. Behind them people are gathered, watching the scene. The majority are warlocks wearing Chardonian orange band on their arms. A few others with purple and green bands, along with a few women are here as well. None wear the white Envadi band. I scan them until som
eone rises from sitting on the ground. The Envadi. A different one from last night, but he still looms above everyone else. I don't know how I missed him, even on the ground.
He's tall. A couple feet taller than me. Perhaps not that much, but I could walk under his arm if he were to stretch it out and I'm taller than most Chardonian women. On the field he looked big, but standing next to me he's sky breaking.
I gawk at him. He might crush me if I look away. His green eyes, pupils rimmed with gold, stare back at me. He's young, but strong. What if one murder wasn't enough for today?
Father snatches me to his side and scolds me under his breath, but I still can't take my eyes from the giant. If he really is my new owner, I have more to fear of him than Father. An Envadi, my owner, I clutch my stomach.
“Are you ready to get this over with?” The Envadi's voice is deep. Deep enough to send quivers through me. Or maybe I'm just scared.
“Of course I am, that's why I'm standing here,” Father says.
The Envadi's piercing gaze moves toward Father. I'm grateful it's not directed at me, I'm still shaking even without it. “I asked your daughter. She's my property now. Not yours.”
Father's hands clench. His arm lifts in what I know is the start of a spell.
“I am,” I say, to distract him.
Father falters and the spell never happens, but he stays in a defensive posture.
The Envadi nods. He swishes his hand in a circle. A salmon-colored spell flies around us and forms a dome separating the four of us from the crowd and the tent. It's quiet. The only sound is breathing and the rustle of my dress as I shift positions.
“Now we can't be overheard,” he says. “Since I am to inherit immediately, I insist Serena move into one of my properties today.”
My legs weaken. There's nothing for me to hold onto. I will them to stay strong.
“That's absurd,” Father says. “The engagement ceremony has yet to take place, let alone the wedding. You can't take her from me.”
The law officer coughs. “Excuse me Councilman Stephen, but I'm afraid he can. The law states that once the contract has been signed, the woman is his property and he can do with her as he pleases as long as she remains chaste before the marriage.”
Father's eyes widen. “But no one takes a bride before the wedding.”
“I do.” The Envadi sounds relaxed, but his body is taut. Why does he want to take me with him? Is he going to take my virtue and purposely get me tarnished? The world tilts around me. A foul taste invades my mouth. I'm going to be sick.
The law officer addresses the Envadi. “You do understand, Chancellor Zade, that if you dishonor her, she will no longer be yours, but will be tarnished and you will forfeit all claims.”
The Envadi's jaw flexes several times before he says, “I'm aware.”
“Then what purpose does it serve?” Father says.
“It seems you keep forgetting she's my property, which means it's my concern. However, I know the importance of family. Any family is welcome to stay for a visit.”
“That's the only claim you'll give me over her? A visit?” Father says.
The Envadi folds his arms. “You heard me.”
“You can't do that.” Father shakes with fury.
I cringe away from him.
“Technically he can,” the officer says. “You know he has full rights to your daughter now.”
“Is there any way to get out of it?” Father asks.
“There are two ways for the betrothal contract to be broken. A man can simply withdraw, but in such case the woman is automatically assumed unfit and will become tarnished. Or a woman found to no longer be chaste. In which case she will also become a tarnished. If it's before transfer of ownership, a sum paid by the girl's Father for a false claim. If it's after transfer of ownership, she'll be tarnished with no recompense.”
“I already know that, fool. I meant is there anything else.”
“There isn't.”
“Look at her. Just look at her. She can't go to him. Do you know how much magic is in her blood?” Father splutters, his face growing redder by the moment.
I inch farther away from him. I'm getting the chance to leave him before my marriage. As he starts yelling curses, I realize I don't have to return to his house. I can't believe it. I can't.
The Envadi strides over to me. If killing Thomas is any indication, he's a powerful warlock. The lightness within me sinks into a massive horde of fear, heavy and repressive. This stranger is going to be worse than Father. More powerful and bigger. He'll be able to inflict even more damage. Trying to hold back a whimper, I bite the inside of my cheek.
Father spots the Envadi next to me and howls. With a flick of his wrist, he emits a scarlet spell. The light flies toward the Envadi. Before it can reach him, the Envadi casts his own spell of silver in front of him. The scarlet smashes into the silver, both dissolving on impact.
The Envadi says, “Please remove this dangerous, unstable man.”
“Sorry about that, Chancellor. Didn't expect it out of our good Councilman.” The law officer bends to whisper in Father's ear. As he listens, his eyes tighten into narrow slits. The officer pulls back.
“Forgive my violence,” Father says. “It wasn't intended for you. Today has been a shock.”
“Indeed.” The Envadi's mouth is a tight line.
Without another word, Father and the law officer depart, the salmon dome closing after them. The spectators' lips move, directed at Father. He looks back at me, an expression on his face I don't recognize. Longing? Regret? But it can't be either of those. After it morphs to a scowl, he and the law officer stride off.
The Envadi's focus is fully on me. I grip my hands together and demand my gaze reach up to meet his no matter that my body doesn't want to cooperate. Now that I'm getting used to his height and seeing more of him, I realize he's younger than I previously thought. Perhaps three or four years older than me. Young and strong.
“Would you prefer to stay at Thomas's home or Chancellor Jacob's manor?”
My gaze wavers. The question wasn't what I expected. I expected to be taken, well, I don't know where, but wherever the Envadi wanted. The strain of the day must have addled him. I won't be the one to remind him it's not my choice. If I never have to be in Thomas's house again, I'll be happier. “The manor.”
“Very well. Your things will be sent after you.”
He waves his hand and the salmon light pops into nothing. Even without the spell, it's oddly silent as the crowd watches us. Without another word, he strides through the cluster of people.
Chapter Eight
“I'm glad Father let you come,” I say to Cynthia. My carriage sickness abounds, but I do my best to ignore it. She's overly pale and in need of more comfort than me. “Nothing will happen to you, I'm sure of it. You're still Father's property, that will mean something. He wouldn't have sent you if it didn't. The Envadi won't hurt you.”
In the faint light coming through the cracks of the carriage door, Cynthia shakes her head. “I doubt it.”
She's probably right, though I don't dare correct her. “I'll keep you safe.”
“You can't protect me like you did at home.”
What can I say to that? There's no reason to think it'll be the same and every reason to think it'll be much worse. I won't be able to protect her or me. “I'll keep you hidden in my closet. He won't find you there.”
She gives a mirthless laugh before sobering. “You might as well know I've been sent to spy on you and the Envadi.”
“Oh.” It makes sense why Father would send her, though why the Envadi offered in the first place is unfathomable. “Did Father spell you?”
“Not that I know of. He sent a note with the directions I was to come and report everything to him with letters, so I think it unlikely.”
“Well then, you're free to tell him whatever you like. I have nothing more to hide than I did for seventeen years, and I could care less what you tell him about the Envadi.�
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She snorts.
Attempting to keep myself from being sick, I breathe evenly. “If mother heard that you would be given a Woman's Canon lecture.”
“And you're not going to take her place?”
“Only if you don't.”
“Splendid.” The carriage dips and bounces back up. “Rough road. How are you faring?”
My stomach churns. I'm hot and sweaty and uncomfortable. “Rather well, considering. Would you keep talking though?”
“Of course.”
Cynthia talks and talks of all sorts of things. Stories from when were children. Of the sisters we left behind. Of mother and the unborn babe. She stops only to help when the ride makes me ill. If she had accompanied me on more trips, I wouldn't have despised the carriage quite as much.
The journey is long. Longer than it takes to get to Thomas's from Father's house. Part way through I realize I have no idea what to expect. We could be headed toward a run down cottage. Though since Father and Thomas seemed pleased with the new property, it can't be too awful. But something about it has me nervous.
As time passes, Cynthia's chatter becomes more stilted, and my retching into a pot more frequent. From the aching tiredness of my body, I can only assume night deepens. I'm beginning to think I've made a mistake in choosing Chancellor Jacob's house. No wonder the Envadi let me choose, he wanted to see what type of torture I prefer. Chancellor Jacob must have stayed in the tents instead of traveling everyday like Thomas. Father often stays overnight when there is to be a council meeting and Chancellor Jacob must have done the same. I can't imagine doing this route regularly.
When the carriage finally stops, I've long since lost any sense of dignity. I groan. I can't help it. Cynthia reaches over and squeezes my hand. The stench from my troubles is so foul, I want to rush from the carriage. Of course I haven't the energy for it nor am I so reckless as to open the door on my own. That rule was hexed into me long ago.
