VeilBound

Chapter 2

I allowed my eyes to roam his whole face. Memorizing every inch so I could draw it later in the privacy of my rooms.

I cleared my throat in preparation for saying something without sounding like a croaking frog. My brain is empty but I’m determined not to leave our first meeting looking like a clueless fool.

“ How do you know my father?” I forced out. He keeps looking at me like an exotic dish he can’t make sense of.. He takes a bit before responding.

“Our fathers are somewhat business partners.”They’ve been in business together long before we were born.

“But I’ve never met your father’ I responded, knowing if I had met the older version of him it’s something I’d have remembered for a long time.

Well after your mother got pregnant with you, your father up and left and bought a mountain home in the middle of nowhere. Apparently, he wanted to focus on his family… he replied, making a rude gesture with his fingers.

Was he being sarcastic? It’s hard for me to determine social cues. It’s why I keep to myself. I get lost in my own head and if that’s not worse I sometimes don’t pick up people’s body language or inflections in their voice.

If that is true I can’t help thinking then “why are you here”? I asked.

Because I’m the best at what I do. And for what is coming your father needed the best.

What is coming? What do you mean by that?

He hummed and said nothing more.

“Be ready at 8am.”He eventually replies.

“Don’t be late…” he said already walking out of the sunroom and eat before you come he tossed back before fully exiting the room.

I find myself pondering the past few minutes. That was such a weird conversation. Why was this the first time I was meeting him? If he were a close associate of father then why did he up and leave when Mother got pregnant? I had so many questions and I knew the exact person to ask.

I marched down past the curving staircase I had always hated since I was little because I fell after crying and wanting to see my mother after she passed. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t see her and I promptly slipped after getting up the staircase and fell. I was in bed with a broken ankle for weeks and there was only one person who took care of me and held me while I cried my heart out.

“There you are, come and taste this. I made your favorite” our cook’s warm voice said.

Looking at her I can’t imagine how she must’ve stayed by our side all these years. She could’ve chosen to get married and have a family of her own but she has been by us through the years.

I walked into our kitchen to see her standing over a boiling pot of what looked like chicken broth and other nice smells emanating from the rest of the covered pots.

Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she saw me. Our cook is a slim and elegant woman with graying temples, her hair turned all silver a few years ago and I have been enjoying pushing her to get it dyed to her natural brunette color but she said as an old woman silver hair is a sign of a life well lived.. how can I argue with that? But I’m not giving up though, a pointed chin and lips a little too big for her face but suits her uniquely.. She’s always smiling and has the fine lines to prove it, wearing her favorite white shirt and her favorite ash slacks. She has always smelled like warmth and apples on a spring morning.

Ahhh…open wide. She places a spoonful of her signature chicken broth into my mouth. It’s my favorite dish because my mother would always make it on cold days and whenever I was sick. Some of my favorite memories were of my mother feeding me the broth while humming her favorite songs.

I quickly dashed tears from my eyes as I swallowed the soup.

Yum, your chicken broth is always so delicious. Tastes exactly like mother’s….” My voice cracked a little bit at the last second.”

Oh my Zaya….her lightly accented voice replied. I know your mama is watching right now from heaven. She’ll be smiling and happy that you’ve grown so well. She leaned in and I hugged her tight. It’s the only time I get to be a little girl. That I get to be just a little bit vulnerable. I remember why I was searching for her in the first place.

Abby, I need to talk to you….I said softly as I drew back from the hug. I looked into her eyes. Please tell me what you know. My eyes pleaded with her.

Let’s sit…she said as she promptly took the lead to her little room off the heat of our kitchen. I sat on her rocking chair, folded my legs as she draped my feet with her blanket. My feet get cold easily and she never forgets. She fusses every chance she gets.

Please sit Abby.. I said.

You’re cold, you need a cup of my tea to warm you up.. her voice brooked a tone of no argument.

I kept quiet and stamped down on my impatience.

I resolutely watched as she busied herself with making tea. Within a few minutes, she was already placing a cup in my cold hands.

Take a sip Zaya…it’ll warm you up.

I took a small sip that instantly heated my insides. She has a way of making tea and she adds her signature spice that gives it a kick. She knows how much I love her tea. I take another sip and settle deeper into the chair.

Abby sits down with her own cup, and as she gets comfortable, she looks at me expectantly.

Father introduced me to my new fencing tutor today. I watch her closely. Apparently, I have to learn how to fence and I have 6 weeks to do it. Before my birthday.

Her face drained of color. I don’t think she has ever been this pale. Her fingers trembled lightly as she took another sip of her tea.

I didn’t stop my words

His name is Rione. Her eyes widened, the corner of her mouth tensed like she had something to say but she quickly swallowed it.

He said his father and mine were business partners and when my mother was pregnant, left saying he wanted to focus on his family.

So if that’s the truth why then has father been working nonstop all my life? He’s always busy and why do I need so many lessons?

I have had to learn archery, riding, dancing, and now fencing. Why?

I know you must’ve heard something or maybe your mother told you something? Please tell me the truth. I have a bad feeling about this.

Zaya my girl….Abby whispered. She swallowed audibly like she had something stuck in her throat.

You’ve never told me why you call me “Zaya”. I remember she started calling me that shortly after Mother passed away and Father always seemed slightly annoyed whenever she did. If there’s one thing I’ve noticed about their relationship is that they seem to be on two different continents but living in the same house. They’re friendly and cordial but sometimes cold towards each other.

She smiled like she remembered something that she's the only one privy to.

“It suits you better” she responded as her eyes flickered with nostalgia. I waited to see if she’d add anything but she didn’t seem inclined to.

“Okay then”… I don’t want to dive into that. It’s not the reason why I came searching for her.

Can you tell me why Father hid all these things from me? I once again prodded.

She keeps biting her bottom lip like she's considering the best response to give me.

I was your Mother's…..her voice going quiet like she's searching for the best term.

“ best friend”… she finally settled on.

And? My tone sharpened a bit. I needed answers and she doesn’t seem inclined to give me any.

Your father is doing the best for you, you need all these skills to survive in the outside world.

She sounds like she's reciting a dull book.

But why? I pushed. Why move away from everyone they knew?

We’re here secluded with only my tutors, servants, and guards as the only extra people.

“Did my mother have a family? Did you know her family.? I kept spouting off questions as they came to my head.

And why did you go pale when I mentioned Rione's name? I finished off with my breath coming out in short gasps.

Zaya…..you need to listen to me as I’m telling you this for your best interests. You need to learn everything your tutors are teaching you.

Remember what your mother told you.… A bird is never meant to live in a cage. Do not forget that.

The time is coming when it’s your heart and everything you’ve learnt that will keep you safe. Be smart my girl. She stood up.

Now run along and freshen up for dinner. It'll be ready soon. I'm sure your Father wouldn't be happy if you were late.She was already bustling around the kitchen and bringing all the silverware for dinner. I guess since we have a guest she wants to make a good impression.

I'm more confused now after our conversation. I didn’t get any answers and I’m even left with more questions.

I walk slowly through the house back to my rooms, passing corridors lined with paintings of father and mother in various stages of their lives together. Sunlight from the window at the edge of the house was hitting Mother’s painting nd my first thought was to close it. I increased my pace, got to the window, and saw Rione stretching. My eyes landed on his biceps, bulging and glistening in the evening sun.

My chest thundered as my eyes did a slow sweep from the golden skin glinting off his shoulders snug in a cream linen shirt that looks way too tight for him leading to the tightest black pants I have ever seen. Who dresses like this to stretch in a courtyard? He looks like those Greek gods from my books. I could watch him forever and never get tired. I felt a weird sensation with all the hair in my body standing. My eyes flickered upwards to find him watching me smirking like a Cheshire Cat. I fumbled to close the windows like that was why I was standing there ogling a 6”5 ft golden god that was moonlighting as my tutor. I turned back hurrying to my room I could hear his mocking laughter following me.

“Damn it all to hell “! I fumed. How am I supposed to keep my wits about me at dinner? And during our fencing class after? I wiped the sweat off my eyes. I’m in trouble, I can’t help thinking.