Page 17 of Summer

I trace her gaze over the confines of the yard, which is empty this time of day. The servants will be readying the house for dinner, or out on errands. The heat of the afternoon is too much for them to attempt to work on the grounds.

“I do,” I say, and she falls into step next to me. We begin our usual afternoon walk around the estate, though we’ve both forgotten our bonnets. Summer doesn’t seem to mind – she tips her head back to allow the heat from the star above to warm her skin. Her eyes close for a moment, and she trips over a pebble. I steady her, and she flashes me the smallest of smiles in thanks.

“You can let me go now,” she says softly.

My gaze tracks to where my hand is still on her arm, my grip steady. I let go and take a step back, my face heating. I suddenly wish for the bonnet.

It’s another few steps before she speaks again. “You run the estate, then?” I’d almost forgotten about the question; I’d been spending too much energy making sure I was a reasonable distance from her.

“Yes, more or less,” I tell her. It was a natural thing to step into the spot Aaoric left when he went to Frihus. Prior to leaving, he wanted little to do with the family business – he was too content to cause mischief with the other males his age. When he returned home, his indifference morphed to hatred, a purposeful avoidance of his duty as heir.

It was natural, but an accident. As I was rather good at arithmetic, I would help Father with bills and payments. As the estate and businesses grew, so did my responsibilities. Father took long strides away from running it all, happy to instead gamble with his friends at the gentlemen’s club. He re-emerged in his study from time to time, usually to try to invest in a poor business venture one of his friends promised would be the next big thing.

Father was the head of the household, but I held the checkbook. I gave him his dalliances, his allowances. He was none the wiser, thinking him in charge and me a simple assistant.

“I should like to learn,” Summer says, and I frown at her.

“Why?” I am unable to keep the suspicion from my voice.

“I am to be the lady of the estate,” Summer replies, her head tilted ever so slightly. “I assume you’ll find a husband soon as well and take care of his estate.”

I stop, the heat of the sun suddenly too much. Summer peers at me curiously, but I cannot meet her gaze. Husband. Me.

How could I be so stupid? So blind?

Aaoric will be married because he is the first born – he is the heir. He will marry and produce his own heir so the Vestinhoth line can continue. When he didn’t find a wife on his own accord, our parents purchased one. End of discussion.

I am not too far behind.

I had a season – as all females do. When I turned 18, I was paraded before society. I was remarked upon by the queen, I was made to play pianoforte in front of would-be suitors. Some showed polite interest, only to scurry away to someone…

Well. Less like me.

As the years came and went, my dance card remained empty at balls, my invites seemingly lost in the mail. Even my friends called less often, until we became strangers that passed each other on the street with a simple nod of the head.

Half the things Poliope told Summer, I had no idea about.

“Are you alright?” Summer asks me, breaking me from my thoughts.

“Yes,” I snap, jerking my head in her direction. “Presumptuous of you, to think I’ll be removed so easily from my own home.”

“I never meant…” Summer starts, but my rage builds at the thought. If I don’t tell her about the estate, they cannot marry me off, like they have Aaoric. I am too valuable; the estate and business cannot run without me.

“If you think you can supplant me just because you were purchased like livestock,” I continue, my voice low but steady. “You are mistaken.”

“Perhaps,” Summer replies, her tone equally steady. “Or perhaps I was purchased to replace. What good does a family have of a spinster daughter? You’re a drag on their reputation. They’ve likely already found a match for you.”

My jaw goes slack at her words, at her cool tone. This was the fire I scented in her, unleashed. This is what is under that stupid smile, those wide glassy eyes. This is the true Summer – a cruel human sent to twist my poor brother.

“How dare you,” I hiss.

“I wonder,” she continues, studying me carefully. “Who they’ll send you off to? Rikkie and Wrunga are engaged, Poliope has two prospects she’s weighing. By the talk of it, there are few eligible males left. Perhaps they’ll send you away – across the galaxy, or universe, whatever suits them best. While Aaoric ascends to Duke. Perhaps he’ll invite you home from time to time, in between spitting out children.”

“Don’t get too comfortable, human. You forget – we control everything. Your communication device, your translator device, where you walk, sleep, eat, shit,” the word feels disgusting on my tongue, but it matches Summer’s noxious energy. I will not treat her as though she is a kind lady, some gentle creature. She is foul, she is vile, and I hate her. “You’re a prisoner here, meant only to produce heirs for my brother.”

“You know nothing about prison,” she grinds out between clenched teeth. Madame Furro’s words are there again – torture, beatings, death. What has she seen? I mean to walk away, but she continues in her cold, uncaring tone.

“You can threaten me all you want, my lady, but just know whatever cruel words you say, whatever unkind trick you try to pull on me – it will pale in comparison to what I have seen and done. You’re a spoiled child who knows nothing of how the world works. When they pack you up with a dowry to hide your advanced age don’t cry to me for help.”