Unbound Enchantment (Unbreakable Force Book 1) (4 page)

11

Adaryn

I
stared at the dress laid across my bed like it was a deadly bush-vine viper. It was white, with delicate lacework covering it in an intricate overlay. It was beautiful. I glowered at it. I had no idea why it was there but thought I could guess who had slipped it into my room. I snatched it up and marched to the study, not bothering to knock before going in. We'd had breakfast earlier that morning. He'd excused himself early and, while that was unusual, I hadn't thought anything of it at the time, busying myself with the morning dishes.

Aaric looked up from his desk when I entered. His sandy hair was askew; he had not taken the time to comb it that morning, and his gray eyes glared at me over his reading spectacles perched on his nose. I would have laughed at any other time, but there was the matter of the blasted dress to see to.

“What is this?” I tried not to shake it under his nose as I held it out to him. “I found this—this
thing
on my bed.”

“That
thing
is, in fact, called a dress. I bought it for you.” He was still frowning, irritated that I didn't knock. I tried not to roll my eyes. I had barged into his study enough times that he should be over it by now, but the man was stubborn.

“Why?” I demanded. I'd accepted some simple skirts and blouses he had purchased for me, but I alternated between wearing them and my forest clothing. This lacy creation was too much. “You can hardly expect me to wash dishes or study birds at the square wearing this. People will laugh at me.”

Aaric's lips curved in a smile, and I narrowed my eyes, certain he was already picturing it.

“Tempting as that sounds, that isn't why I purchased it. I've been invited to attend a party tonight, and I have to take you with me. It's customary for one to take their new slave to a party or two. Think of it as a competition of sorts. Us against everyone else and their slaves. Slaves are a sign of status, so the better behaved, well dressed and such you are, the better I look. Which,” he said with resignation, “may mean I'm doomed before the party has even begun.” He shot a sideways glance at my hair, which I ignored.

The man removed his spectacles and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He already had two empty coffee mugs on his table. I wondered if he slept at all. “Everyone is going to be watching and weighing us tonight so please be on your best behavior, Adaryn. I have my family reputation to uphold, so this is kind of a big deal for me. I can't afford to have you mess it up.”

I felt panic rise with every word and, by the time he finished, was clutching the dress to me, as if I could drive him and his wretched party away. I shook my head. “No,” I said fiercely. “I can't go. I won't. I'm not going to some cursed party just so your people can sneer and peer down their snooty noses at me. I
hate
them. I won't go.”

Aaric rolled his eyes, throwing his hands up with exasperation. “Don't do this to me, Adaryn! Not now. This could be the perfect opportunity to find some potential sponsors for my flying experiment. If it's a success, I'll need some help with advertising and manufacturing. I need to make a good impression tonight. You have to go. I have too much at stake here. Please.”

I froze at the last word. He'd never said please to me, not once, not ever. But he did now, and he was looking quite earnestly at me, his gray eyes large in his face. I couldn't say no. And, I told myself, I might as well take stock of my enemies. I might learn something useful. I managed to give a curt nod.

He visibly relaxed and smiled at me, his head slightly tilted to the right. His eyes seemed to shine with their own light. He was quite handsome, I thought, then frowned, irritated by my thoughts. I couldn't go thinking like that about the enemy!

Aaric's expression turned puzzled. “Why are you frowning?”

I shook my head without speaking and quickly left the room, hoping he didn't see the color that had crept into my cheeks.

12

Aaric

T
he remainder of the day passed quickly for Aaric. He remained in his study until the very last minute, then dragged himself away from his work to bathe and dress. He was downstairs and standing in the kitchen a quarter past six, nervously waiting for Adaryn. He hoped she hadn't run away again. But no, a moment later she was standing in the kitchen doorway, dressed in the white dress. He had to admit, she looked good. Really good, in fact. The dress was a trifle snug about the hips, but that didn't detract from her beauty at all. It might add in fact, he thought, heat rising to his face. She was beautiful, he realized. She might be a barbaric nomad, but her beauty rivaled that of any of the fine ladies he'd seen.

She shifted a little under his gaze, and he realized with embarrassment that he was gawking at her like a moonstruck fool. He coughed self-consciously, running a hand through his hair. Drat it all, he had in all likelihood messed it up.

“You ruffled your hair.” Adaryn stepped forward, walking a little awkwardly with the long dress, and smoothed his hair down. Not that she had a right to talk about ruffled hair, he thought ruefully; hers looked like a wild bird's nest. At least she had pulled it back with a strip of white cloth.

“Where did you get the tie for your hair?” he asked, mildly curious.

“From my bed sheet.” She grinned at him.

Aaric sighed. He glanced at the clock. Nearly six-thirty. The party didn't officially start until seven, but it was always ideal to arrive early.

He started to reach for her arm but then remembered who and what she was. He let his arm drop awkwardly and jerked his head toward the entryway. “I suppose we should go.”

Adaryn nodded in agreement.

The collar she wore stood out in contrast to her dress, a combination of leather, metal, and wires. It looked out of place, Aaric thought as they walked outside together.

Night had fallen, and the city lamps cast a pale glow. Aaric couldn't tell if the sky was overcast or clear; he couldn't ever see the sky at night from the steam and smoke of the factories. The city Ruis looked rather picturesque in his mind.

Adaryn ghosted behind him, never straying more than a couple of paces from him. She looked around with wide-eyed wonder and a touch of fear. This was her first time traveling the city at night.

Aaric hailed a cab, and the horse-drawn carriage pulled up. The cab driver jumped down and opened the door for them. Aaric started to motion Adaryn forward and grimaced when he remembered that the same courtesy shown to women didn't apply to this particular female. The cab driver was looking at him curiously.

Aaric gave him a silver and the address of their destination. He then climbed into the cab. He turned and saw Adaryn try to do the same. She was obviously struggling in her white gown. Aaric was beginning to dislike the thing. The cab driver made no move to help her. Aaric couldn't stand it further. He reached down and, taking her arm, pulled her into the cab, seating her across from him.

“If I had been permitted to wear less ridiculous clothing,” Adaryn said grumpily, “I wouldn't have need of your assistance.”

“You're welcome,” Aaric said, grinning in the dark. He preferred Adaryn's company when she acted herself.

The cab lurched, and they were off. Aaric felt the grin slide off his face as he thought of the evening he was subject to undergo. He hoped to make his appearance as quick as possible and that Adaryn left little impression if any, on the crowd. Really, he thought grimly, thinking of her sharp tongue, that was the most he could hope for.

13

Adaryn

A
aric called it the ballroom. It was a huge room with white walls towering up and a ceiling impossibly high overhead. Crystal chandeliers hung and caught the light of lamps set in the walls, sending a glittering shower of color everywhere. Gold accented all the furniture in the room. Slaves dressed in uncomfortable-looking black suits and gowns wove through the room, balancing tall, wine-filled crystal goblets on large silver trays, offering them to the Oppressors in the room.

Oppressors filled the wide expanse, men dressed in well-tailored suit coats of every color imaginable and tall hats. The hats looked utterly ridiculous, and I was extremely thankful Aaric didn't wear one.

The women were even fancier. Long flowing gowns of various color, from the palest pastel to vivid jewel tones, velvet jackets, and hats adorned with giant feathers and ribbons. My dress seemed rather plain after all the gowns I saw here.

I glanced up at Aaric and found he was looking around the room, anxiety apparent in his stiff shoulders.

“Is something wrong, Aaric?” I asked quietly.

He snapped around to look at me, alarm in his eyes. “Call me ‘sir,’ if you please, Adaryn. I would like you to attract as little attention as possible.” He sounded worried.

“Aaric! Aaric Wright!”

Aaric's expression was one of exasperation as he turned around to face the musical voice. I turned around as well and felt my eyes bulge in amazement.

A woman was hurrying toward us—no, toward Aaric, and while her shimmering silver dress had the high neckline that most of the ladies here wore, a large oval shape was cut out of the front, exposing most of her extremely expansive bosom. I tried not to stare as she bounced her way over, but she was grotesquely hypnotic.

She got entirely too close to Aaric (not that
I
cared, I told myself) and snuggled up to him as she purred, “It's been
so
long since you've been to a party, Aaric. I've missed you so. Did you miss me?” She smiled up at him as she ever so lightly placed an arm around his lower back. I resisted the strong urge to throttle her.

To my immense satisfaction, Aaric's smile looked pained as he said in a tight voice, “Regrettable to be sure, Miss Grace, but unavoidable. I have to see to my work.”

  The horrid woman shook a delicate, ring-covered hand dismissively.

“Oh posh! What could be more important than making a
splash
in society? You really do need to get out more, dear.” She smiled at him, batting her obscenely long lashes at him. They were probably fake, I thought sourly.

Miss Grace leaned in toward him ever so slightly; it would have given Aaric the perfect view except the poor man had his eyes glued to her right ear. His face was a mask of misery. I felt a laugh bubble inside, and I quickly pressed a hand over my mouth, suppressing a smile. Miss Grace's eyes turned to me and narrowed as she examined me from head to toe. I stared coolly back.

“This must be the new
slave
you took in,” she said, scorn dripping from her words. Aaric turned to look at me, relief filling his expression. He was obviously glad to turn his attention on anyone or anything that wasn't Miss Grace, a fact that felt strangely satisfying.

“Yes,” he said. “This is Adaryn, my new, er, slave.”

I arched an eyebrow and slightly inclined my head. I had no idea how I was supposed to treat other Oppressors, but it was as much fake respect as I could muster for this repulsive woman.

Miss Grace frowned, pursing her painted lips. “She's an ugly little thing, isn't she? No meat on her bones, and her hair is as
wild
as they come. How do you put up with such a creature?” Her eyes were filled with malice as she smirked at me.

I felt the heat rise to my face and opened my mouth with a retort, but glancing at Aaric, I saw the panic in his eyes.

He's afraid I'm going to embarrass him.
I bit back what I was going to say and flashed daggers at her. She smiled smugly.

Aaric placed a hand on my shoulder. “She is an immense help around the house. I am not sure how I got by without her before. Adaryn, I see someone in the crowd over there. Please, excuse me.” He directed the last bit to Miss Grace before steering me away. I looked up at Aaric. He still had a worried frown on his face. I didn't know what had him upset, but I couldn't help but feel a twinge of compassion.

Once we were a safe distance from Miss Grace, I quietly asked, “Who did you see in the crowd?”

Aaric looked down at me, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “No one in particular. It was convenient though, wasn't it?”

I laughed, and Aaric chuckled in return, squeezing my hand.

“Aaric!” someone called out. Aaric sighed and turned to face the newcomer. Fortunately, it wasn't another woman. A tall man strode out of the crowd. He looked to be middle aged, with dark, graying hair pulled back into a sleek tail. He and Aaric shook hands, both men completely ignoring me.

“Aaric, it's been some time! How are things? How is your experiment going?”

“Lord Kingsley.” Aaric's tone was pleasant, but there was a note of caution underlying it. I frowned slightly, wondering what would have caused it.

Aaric continued. “My experiment has been going rather well, actually. I've been making good progress in the last few weeks.”

“Excellent!” Kingsley clapped him on the shoulder. “Your father would be proud. He was quite the inventor himself.”

“Yes,” Aaric agreed, but I sensed rather than saw his back stiffen. I wondered what it was about his father that set him on edge. I silently told myself to investigate this later.

“And who is this?” I started with alarm as Kingsley turned his attention to me. He had brilliant green eyes that seemed to pierce me to my soul. I tried not to squirm.

“This is my slave, Adaryn. I believe you've seen her before.”

He had?
I wondered.
When?

“Ah, yes.” Kingsley laughed. “She was laying none too gracefully in the snow.” He looked at me more intently, making me want to turn tail and run, but I stood my ground. I steeled my jaw with the effort. Kingsley noticed, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Well, she certainly has more color to her cheeks, and her eyes are an exquisite blue I didn't see earlier. I will have to take back my first words about her. She really is quite pretty.”

What words? I was growing more confused.

“I hope you're breaking her properly,” Kingsley continued speaking to Aaric, still watching me. I felt my cheeks flush with anger, and a smile spread lazily across his face. Was he trying to goad me?

“Oh, er, yes, I suppose.” Aaric's response was less than convincing.

Kingsley arched an eyebrow at him. “Don't let a pretty face distract you from what she is, Aaric. She's just a slave. She's worthless if you don't train her properly. You said her name was Adaryn? That sounds like one of
their
names. It's not wise to let the rovers keep their original names. She needs to break all ties with her previous life.”

He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Why not name her Poppy? That would suit her, I think.”

Poppy,
again
? It was too much. I took a step forward, closing the gap between us. I jutted my chin out defiantly, glaring up at him.

“I do
not
need breaking, I'm
not
worthless, and my name will
never
be Poppy.
Ever
.”

“Adaryn!” My name was a strangled croak on Aaric's lips. I ignored him.

“And it doesn't matter what you or any other Oppressor says or does, you will never be able to break my ties with my people. I may currently reside in the wretched city, but the forest and magic is in my blood. It will always define who I am.”

Kingsley looked down at me. I expected a shocked and angry outburst from him, but he was silent. His face had a strange intensity as he looked at me, and I realized that I was standing too close to him. Much too close. My heart quivered with uncertainly, and I took half a step back, still glaring at him.

He continued to look at me too, a speculative gleam in his eyes, but when he spoke, it was to Aaric.

“She's going to be a tough one, Aaric, I can tell you that. I'll take her off your hands for fifty pieces of silver. She's too unruly for a first time slave.”

I took another step back, my heart thumping painfully in my chest. He wanted to
buy
me?

“I would be more than happy to break her properly,” Kingsley continued. “What do you say, Aaric?”

I tried not to gasp with relief when I felt Aaric's hand take my wrist. I was finally able to turn my gaze to him, but he was looking at Kingsley, his gray eyes solemn.

“I am flattered by the offer, my Lord, but I think I will keep her, for now,” he said. “She's a little outspoken, but she is learning.” His grip tightened momentarily, warning me to keep silent. I did.

Kingsley didn't look convinced but nodded. “As you say, but keep my offer in mind.” With that, he turned and strode away. At the corner of my eye, I noticed several other people meld into the crowd. We had had an audience.

Aaric was pulling me in the opposite direction. I followed and quickly we left the massive hall, chandeliers, and grandly dressed people behind. Soon, we stood outside the mansion.