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“Greyland,” the boy returned with a kind smile. “Sie’s my older brother.”
Sie’s father ignored the rest of our greeting and stalked off toward a vehicle at the end of the road. Sie walked over to our guards and quickly briefed them before guiding me to follow his family.
“They aren’t coming with us?” I whispered to Sie as I saw the guards, both Sie’s and mine, file into the inn. Kole’s glare sank into me before the door slammed behind him.
Sie shook his head in answer.
“Is that allowed? For us to be separated from them?”
Sie turned to look at me. “Scottie, I am stronger than any of them combined. I think I am quite capable of protecting you for one night. Besides, you won’t be leaving my side.”
I nodded as I followed him into the car. I didn’t know what scared me more—whatever was to occur with Sie’s family or being alone with him.
TWENTY-FOUR
SIE
It wasan agonizing drive to my childhood home. No one spoke as the town whizzed past us. Scottie kept her hands folded into one another and pressed against her lap. She hadn’t stopped looking out the window, watching the buildings spread further and further apart. Her lips parted as we passed the glacier-filled ocean, and I couldn’t help but wonder what her fascination was with the water and the sand.
A large fence blocked most of the view of the property as we rounded the corner. Ornate silver trim was etched and designed into each panel of the tall metal. I always thought the fence was unnecessary. There wasn’t a soul in Kitlarn who would try to break in. The distance alone from the village was protection enough. Not many citizens could afford vehicles, at least not Advenians of the lower rank, which was precisely why my father built the home miles away from the town. Any sign of luxury, status, or wealth my father could flaunt, he took advantage of displaying as a way to show that the Noren family held power.
My mind whirled as I contemplated what game he was playing now. He loathed Scotlind. That much was made clear to me when she was first announced as my fiancé. He couldn’t hide the disgust on his face when he found out I would be marrying a nix. He stormed right to Synder to demand what the hell he was thinking. I would have liked to have Peter’s ability in that moment to be able to sit in that room unnoticed and listen to what was said. Because I still couldn’t figure out the reasoning for them picking her.
I still didn’t know what to make of my future wife. She wasn’t like other females. She intrigued me. Not just her looks, and Goddess kill me, those were amazing, but there was something different about her. Some mystery to her, and damn, did I want to uncover it. I wanted to know everything about her. I wanted to know what she was thinking. What her dreams and desires were because they weren’t this. What led her to try out for the guard even when she knew the odds were against her?
She was a skilled fighter in combat, but that only went so far. Most Advenian females never wanted to be in the guard because they didn’t want to risk their otherwise very long life. So why did she? She had everything going against her, from her lack of abilities to her small frame. But she willed it to her advantage, taking males she fought by surprise and using calculated tactics to outmaneuver them.
Ever since the day I saw her fight in her Trials, I’d been transfixed. Consumed by her. I was shocked when they selected her for my bride. For a selfish, fleeting moment, I was happy. Then reality hit me, and I knew she would never be safe again. I knew she was just being used for some greater game.
I’d tried to keep my distance from her, trying damn hard to appear like I didn’t care about her. I’d even agreed to numerous amounts of Alec’s revels and entertained every female he threw at me. All were tests to see how I would react. I played along in the hopes that if I was seen with other girls, it would deter them from looking Scottie’s way. But that was all it ever had been—an act. Because no matter how gorgeous, sexy, or gloriously curved the girls Alec pushed on me were, I could never go through with it.
My thoughts were filled by a stubborn female with long brown hair and sapphire eyes. One whose height was laughable for an Advenian. One who, against all odds, didn’t let anything stop her from attaining what she wanted. One who had a habit of biting her lip or anxiously twirled her hair around her finger when she was nervous. And now, one who was in danger because of me.
I glanced over at her. She was still staring out the window, but as if reading my thoughts, her gaze drifted toward me. The sun caught the gold in the necklace. My stomach sank, remembering how I’d compelled her, how she had looked at me after I did it. She was safe, I told myself over and over again to shake the guilty feeling that came with compulsion. I hated using it. I had one of the most powerful gifts, and I hated using it.
The driver spoke into the scanner box, breaking the silence for the first time on this horrible ride. Immediately, the doors to the gates groaned open, exposing the familiar and hated stone building. Scottie’s eyes widened as she took in my family home. The sheer mass of it alone was daunting. All she’d ever known was her dorm—half a room was all that had belonged to her since she was orphaned.
We were ushered inside to the main entrance, and my gut twisted as I realized one part of my father’s sick game. All the servants were present, and all with their sleeves rolled up, exposing their rank zero brands. I glanced at Scotlind to see if she noticed. Of course, she had. My father made damn sure she did. She took in all the servants’ vacant stares, noticing their left wrists before she averted her eyes. Her own hands cupped over her burns as she nervously pulled at the hem of her dress.
As the servants stared at the tops of their shoes, refusing to look at me or my father, parts of my childhood came crashing back. The only time my father was proud of me was when he discovered my abilities. But it only lasted a fleeting moment. He was livid when he realized I refused to compel anyone. He told me I was weak minded. That I could control all minds but not my own. He would force me to use compulsion on the servants. It was either that or—
“Sie, my darling,” my mother’s voice released me from my trance. She was thin, thinner than the last time I’d seen her, but she smiled at me, nonetheless. I resembled her more than my father with her long, curly hair and dark eyes. She moved with elegant grace as she gripped me in a tight hug before I shrugged her off.
“Mother, this is Scotlind Rumor, my fiancé,” I said. Scottie cocked her head toward me at the mention of fiancé. It might have been the first time I referred to her as such. The first time I even said it out loud myself. It sounded both right and wrong all at once.
Scottie returned her attention to my mother and gave a bow. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you. Your house is marvelous. Thank you for having us, Mrs. Noren.”
My mother smiled. “Oh, this is nothing. But come, the servants are putting dinner on the table. Let’s eat while it’s still hot.”
We walked into the grand dining room. The servants had the large fireplace roaring and adorned the table with our finest settings. The large, satin curtains on the far side of the room were pushed open, exposing the large windows and the door that lead to the patio. The ocean view was just visible through the window as the sun reflected off the water.
I took a seat next to Scottie. Greyland filled the one across from us while my parents sat on opposite ends at the head of the table. Various cheese and fruit platters were already spread out across the table, but no one touched them. My father leaned back into his chair, his eyes never leaving Scotlind. I could hear her stomach grumble as the servants brought out some variation of meat pie. I wondered if she’d eaten lunch with Peter on the monorail. Knowing Peter, he probably forgot. Unless they were serving bread, he didn’t care much about eating lunch. A hearty breakfast and a good dinner was all he ever needed. His only weaknesses were croissants and warm rolls.
I served Scottie first before scooping two helpings of the pie onto my own plate. She glanced up at me in question. I gave her a nod to start eating, my father wasn’t one to worship the Goddesses before a meal.
“Did they not teach you how to properly eat, girl?” my father asked, still eyeing her like a hawk. I glanced at her and noticed she was using the dessert fork. I clenched my fist and flashed him a look. He just laughed it off. “Tell me about your upbringing, Scotlind. What of your parents?”
“My family passed away when I was seven years old. LakeWood has always been my home.”
