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“What can I chop?” Frederick was next to me, moving fast and far too quietly for my nerves. “I’m good at it.”
“I’m very confused.” Truett sighed. “And I realize that isn’t unusual in these circumstances, but there are servants here. I see them running around. I’m not sure what they’re doing because you’re doing all the work.”
Outside, thunder rumbled loudly, and I jumped. I hated storms, especially when I sensed they would be more than the ordinary summery cloudburst.
Most especially when my people aren’t home.
I told Truett, “I do the work I can do well. Right now, they’re likely dusting and straightening, refreshing things the family will need. Sometimes they do things I normally do.” I was glad I remembered to answer him past the storm’s distraction.
Truett leaned against the counter. “We have a beautiful estate, and you’re now its mistress. Huge. Our servants do the cooking and the laundry, and they keep the place clean. You won’t have to do menial labor.”
“What would I be doing with my time, then?” Carissa’s lonely face came to my mind’s eye. She’s the wife of Warriors, but she looks like the loneliest woman I’ve ever seen.
He stared at me. “Being in charge of running the household and the staff. Having visions. Traveling with us.”
None of that sounded appealing, particularly the last part. I shook my head. “No, but thank you. I’m not going with you to save your reputation. If they’re laughing at you, then blame yourselves for being deplorable. I’ll chop this myself. You can stay in the living room, please.”
“We can’t stay here indefinitely.” Charles clearly wasn’t ready to drop the subject. “These are your father’s lands, and we’re Warriors. We have to fight things. For instance, we got rid of the monsters tormenting those people from your vision.” He cleared his throat. “It was a very good vision, by the way. Remarkably detailed. Clear.”
I chopped onions and Frederick nudged me again. “I can chop. In fact, all of us can, even Truett. You could direct us.”
“I like doing it.” What isn’t he understanding? “This is what I’m good at. By the way, I’ve been having visions since I was thirteen years old.”
Oliver leaned over. “That young?”
I shrugged and continued chopping. “Yes. I’m strong that way. Also I tried to see things so that you guys could see them, too. I wasn’t entirely conscious about it, but I did make sure to scout the area. I… pushed it? It’s hard to explain. What is so complicated about you guys just waiting in the living room?” I spun around, knife in my hand. “You were very clear about things the other night, so I get it. I’m not an idiot, and you can’t annoy me to death to get me to do what you want. It’s enough already. I’ve made myself clear.”
Truett shook his head. “Clearly, being nice isn’t working. You want to be stubborn, so be stubborn. Fine. You’re still coming with us, because you’re our wife. It was decided in a legally binding ceremony. That said, you’re right. We don’t want you as our wife.”
It shouldn’t have burned again, but it did. I clenched my fist against my chest as if I could ease the pain.
“True…” Frederick tried to interrupt, but Truett ignored him.
“Regardless of what we want, we have a job to do, and so do you. Due to that, you can come with us willingly, or I’ll bring the weight of the law down on you and force you to do it. You may find things go a bit easier for you if you work with us pleasantly.”
I threw my knife in the sink with a loud clatter. “Or maybe the universe could kindly kill you off so I don’t have to deal with any of you anymore? The big red horned monster who smiled at me can just go ahead and gut you.”
They could eat whatever my mother cooked. I didn’t care anymore. I turned to flee to my bedroom. Shame flooded me, a pulse hotter than lightning. They weren’t nice men, but probably I shouldn’t proclaim I wished they would die.
Then the wind got louder.
Yes, it’s a tornado. I climbed into my bed to hide under my covers. It wasn’t brave, but if I couldn’t be distracted by cooking, then I would just hide under the blankets like Jayne and I used to do when we were children.
I covered myself entirely in the blanket. The monsters can’t get you if you’re covered, I remembered my sister saying.
A knock sounded on the door. “Sloane?”
I groaned. They had to leave me alone. Why couldn’t Oliver seem to get that? “Go away.”
“No.” Instead, I heard him open the door, and I heard when he closed it behind him. “The storm is almost upon us. I wanted to make sure you’re not near a window.”
Sighing, I pulled the blanket off my head. “Because then they would make you go through the ceremony again in four years, just to be matched to some other woman who you’ll hate?”
And right then, the vision hit me.
I grabbed onto my head because it felt as if lightning hit near my right temple. My hands shook when I moved my hands to my face, but then I lost all semblance of self. In front of me, three people waited on horses. A giant insect-like creature flapped near them. They screamed, and one of their horses dropped dead of fright. I tried to separate myself from their terror, to focus on the sight. I could see mountains in the distance behind the figures. Oh, I know that place. It’s not even far from here. The next city-state over.
The vision vanished as quickly as it started, and I realized Oliver’s arms gripped me close to his large, warm body. He pressed my aching head against his shoulder, then slowly opened his eyes to look at me. “I know it hurts.”
