Chapter 29

Clara

The one good thing about being Marcus’ mistress was that Nora and I could spend as much time together as we wanted. We didn’t have to worry about being mistress and attendant, and we didn’t have to make up excuses for me not to work. It was nice.

A few days after Marcus claimed me as his mistress, Nora and I went for a walk in the gardens. It was a warm, sunny day with only a few fluffy white clouds drifting lazily across the sky. Neither of us had anything important to do until tomorrow.

I was glad to have a break. My days were filled with etiquette lessons, and dancing lessons, and music lessons. Marcus insisted that I should be more “accomplished” if he was going to present me as his mate.

I was annoyed with his smug superiority. But I did actually enjoy the lessons. Music was especially delightful. I imagine it had much to do with my inability to make any sound on my own.

I was now learning the violin, the harp, and the flute. I liked the violin the best. The sounds that came from it were mournful and haunting.

I was happily describing my first lessons to Nora. She also had music lessons, but she was focused on one instrument, the harpsichord. I thought she made an elegant picture seated at the keys.

“I think we should perform a small concert for our princes,” Nora said. “Once we actually learn more than simple scales.”

I nodded. I didn’t care to perform for Marcus at all. But it still sounded fun.

“We should pick a song to learn together,” I signed.

“Yes. Something romantic,” Nora agreed. “And we’ll want matching dresses. No, not matched, but coordinated.”

“The same style, but different colors,” I suggested.

“That’s perfect! You are going to make an excellent royal mistress,” Nora declared.

I laughed. I was not cut out for this life and we both knew it. But I was doing my best.

I brushed a hand along the skirt of my new gown. Marcus had indeed taken me to the royal seamstress, and I now had several new dresses. They were all red. Marcus apparently had a favorite color. At least it suited me.

I knew Nora and I made a pretty picture together. She favored soft blue gowns with layers of lace that framed her delicate features. I was a sharp contrast in tight blood red silk.

An exactly proper distance behind us, our new personal attendants walked. Ella and Nora’s new attendant, Sherry, walked side by side. Sherry seemed like a sweet girl. Ella made no pretense about how much she despised me. It wasn’t like I could have her dismissed.

“Sherry, dear,” Nora twisted to look behind us. “Would you mind bringing some drinks for all of us? It’s getting warm and I think we could use refreshment.”

“Of course, madam,” Sherry said with a curtsy.

She darted off in search of drinks. Ella sneered at me. I didn’t bother to ask her to help the other maid.

Nora led me to a nice little patio with a little table and chairs to wait.

“You shouldn’t put up with Ella’s attitude,” Nora said. “She’s your maid now. You should put her in her place.”

How could I do that? She was Marcus’ agent. He wouldn’t let me dismiss her.

I shrugged.

“It’s fine,” I signed. “She’s just annoyed at having to serve someone she considers defective.”

“Well,” Nora said, “she should be glad she got this position. She’s moved up in the world, and it’s all because of you. She should show you some gratitude.”

Nora did not keep her voice down. I tried to hush her, but she just grinned. She was enjoying the chance for revenge on one of my tormentors.

Ella glared, but kept her peace. She knew better than to mouth off to a royal mistress. While Marcus wouldn’t care what she said to me, Prince Gideon would be annoyed if someone disrespected Nora.

“We’ll work things out eventually,” I signed.

“I’m sure you will,” Nora agreed.

Sherry returned with a pitcher and two cups.

“Oh, dear, I meant for you to bring refreshments for all of us,” Nora said. “I should have spoken more clearly.”

“I am sorry, madam,” Sherry said.

“Don’t worry about it,” Nora said. “Hey, why don’t you and Ella go find yourselves a snack? You deserve a break. Clara and I will be fine out here. Won’t we, Clara?”

I nodded, eager to be out from under Ella’s piercing glare.

Had Nora planned that, and purposefully given Sherry a confusing order? Or was she just trying to give the other maids a break because she knew how exhausting it could be to wait on another person hand and foot?

Sherry and Ella left, and Nora and I could relax. We were finally alone. I hadn’t realized how much time the nobles spent under someone else’s eyes. How did they stand it? I found it exhausting and I’d only been a royal mistress for a few days.

We talked about what music we hoped to learn, and which of my instruments would sound best with Nora’s harpsichord. We decided on the flute after some consideration. I would have to work hard; I had the most difficulty playing that instrument. But it would sound enchanting in concert with the harpsichord.

We spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden. We still hadn’t chosen a song when the sun sank over the wall and the soft edges of evening filled the garden.

“It’s getting late. We should go in for dinner,” Nora said.

I nodded and stood. I turned, and froze as I saw a pair of eyes staring at me from the garden hedge.

“Clara, what’s wrong?” Nora asked.

I pointed, and Nora gave a tiny shriek.

A man stepped out from among the leaves, and I stepped in front of Nora. I knew that man. It was Nora’s first fated mate, Kyle.

“There you are,” he hissed. “Did you think you could just toss me aside like trash, Nora?”

“You are trash,” Nora retorted. “And I don’t have to put up with you anymore.”

“You’re my mate, Nora. You have to feel it. Come back to me. I’ll forgive you for your silly tryst with the prince.”

“You’ll forgive me?” Nora repeated. “Well that’s nice, but I will never forgive you! Not for the way you treated me, not for the way you beat me and yelled at me and hurt me! If I was your mate, why would you treat me like that?”

“I,” Kyle shook his head. “I have a temper. But so do you! You have to come back to me.”

“Why would I do that? Why would I be your mate, when I can be a prince’s Luna?” Nora scoffed.

“You are no Luna,” Kyle sneered. “You’re nothing! I don’t know how you talked your way into the prince’s bed, but you shouldn’t get too comfortable. Even a prince can’t steal another man’s fated mate.”

“Prince Gideon is my mate, not you!” Nora insisted.

“We both know you’re lying,” Kyle hissed. “And pretty soon, everyone else will know, too!”