Keira Grim: The Final Breath Chronicles Book Two

by V. B. Marlowe

  Finally, eye contact. "Why?"

  "I was afraid."

  "Afraid of what?"

  Play the game, Keira. Just play the game. I tried to make myself cry. I had never done that before , and I wasn't sure if it was going to work. "Everything was happening so fast. I mean, I just turned seventeen and all of a sudden I'm expected to be the wife of the Lord of Death. That's a huge responsibility and I'm not sure that I can do it—be a good wife to the most important man in Nowhere. I don't want to disappoint you." There, he should like that.

  His face softened. Yes, that had done it. He stood and crossed the room over to me. I flinched when his cold hand brushed hair from my cheek.

  "We'll have to put some ice on that."

  I'd been so worried about what his reaction would be, I'd forgotten about the pain. It was almost gone.

  "Why didn't you just say something to me?" he asked.

  I shrugged again.

  "You can tell me anything."

  "I'm sorry."

  Dunningham stood close to me for a long time. He seemed to be examining every inch of my face. A lump rose in my throat.

  "I'll forgive you—this time. You do understand that from here on out I will have to keep you under strict supervision."

  "What does that mean?" I asked.

  "You will be watched at all times."

  "Like a prisoner."

  His face hardened again. "Don't make it sound as if I'm the one who's done wrong here."

  I nodded and reminded myself not to push it. I was lucky he had forgiven me so easily.

  "Hesper will take you to your room so you can clean up and dress for dinner. Your wardrobe is ready and in the closet."

  "W-wardrobe?"

  "Yes, no betrothed of mine can walk around like that. Jeans and tank tops aren't fitting for a woman of the Upper Estates. I've provided you with appropriate attire."

  "But…" The way he spoke made it sound as if I would be living here. My room? My closet?

  "Oh, yes. Naturally, after your behavior I'd like to keep you close. You will live here now."

  "But we still have a year—"

  He squeezed my right arm way too hard. "I make the rules , and I can break them. Now run along."

  He practically pushed me out of the door. The House Manager, Hesper, stood there waiting.

  "Follow me." She didn’t even look at me.

  She walked briskly , and I tried to keep up , although I was in no hurry to get to my new bedroom.

  Hesper drew a key from the pocket of her dress and unlocked the door. She pushed it open and I followed her inside.

  The bedroom was breathtaking. A large canopy bed sat in the middle of the far wall. Delicate black and silver fabric hung over the bed. The walls were painted black with white lit sconces around the room. Black curtains hung in intricate ways covering the windows. A vanity filled with perfumes, combs, and brushes stood against another wall.

  Behind me, Hesper grabbed my hands as she worked to unlock my cuffs. She pointed to a room off to the side. "Check out your closet."

  The closet was the size of my entire bedroom back in Farrington. Shelves upon shelves of high-heeled shoes. Rods filled with dresses and ball gowns. Not a hoodie or pair of jeans in sight.

  "Wow." I ran my hand over the hangers filled with clothes. Had I been a little girl looking at this, I would have been amazed at how awesome it would be to play dress-up with Naomi, but I couldn't imagine dressing like this all day in real life.

  Hesper must have sensed my uneasiness. "You'll get used to it."

  I nodded, although I didn't believe her.

  "Now, I must go see to the dinner preparations. Mr. Dunningham has planned a special meal for tonight in celebration of your homecoming. Take a bath and choose a dress to wear. He expects you to look nice."

  I nodded again , and she left me alone, but not before drawing my bath. The bathroom was as beautiful as the bedroom. Marble walls and floors. A mirror surrounded by ornate silver swirls above the tiled sink. I removed my clothing and let myself sink into the tub. Closing my eyes, I relaxed for a moment, careful to be aware of the time. I had an hour to get ready for dinner and I definitely didn't want to be late.

  Reluctantly, I bathed and climbed out of the tub, even though the water was still warm and soothing. With my towel wrapped around me , I made my way to the closet, but before that, I stopped at the bedroom door. Turning the knob, I discovered that the door was locked as I’d suspected. I really was in prison, albeit a beautiful one.

  From the closet, I chose a short, one-shouldered black dress and a simple pair of black heels. At the vanity, I ran a brush through my hair. Different-colored makeup compacts sat neatly in a silver case, but I didn't apply any. I hated makeup. It wasn't something most Grims wore.

  In the time that remained, I sat at the vanity and stared at myself. What was it about me that he liked so much? I wanted to know what it was so I could change it. Maybe I could figure out some way to anger or repulse him so he would send me away and choose someone else. I knew there were plenty of other girls who would love to take my place.

  A light tap at the door interrupted my thoughts.

  "Come in," I called.

  Hesper poked her head in. "Oh, good. You're dressed. Dinner is ready."

  I stood and steadied myself in my heels. I took a deep breath at the top of the staircase, taking each step carefully, knowing that one misstep could send me tumbling to the bottom.

  I followed Hesper into the living room. Dunningham was already sitting at the table with a glass of wine. Doyle sat beside him. Seeing Doyle had become weird, knowing that he had betrayed Dunningham and he wasn't who he pretended to be. I could only imagine what would happen to Doyle once Dunningham found out.

  The two men stood as I approached the table. Dunningham pulled out the chair to his left. I maneuvered in front of it and he whispered, "You look beautiful." His breath hit my shoulder, causing me to shiver.

  "Thank you," I replied, settling awkwardly into my seat. "Good evening, Mr. Doyle."

  "Good evening, Ms. Keira."

  The servants brought us plates of salad. I ate mine quietly as Doyle and Dunningham talked about their agenda for the following day. I was forgotten and excluded from their conversation. I wondered what Chase, Bram, and Naomi were doing right then.

  Dunningham must have read my mind. "So, there is a significant number of missing Grims. Do you happen to know where they are?"

  Doyle shot me a warning glance that said, Tell him anything but the truth.

  "On the Outskirts."

  "Why are they on the Outskirts?" Dunningham asked. "Grims are forbidden to go there just like Foragers are forbidden to come here."

  "Well, Naomi didn't want to be killed, so naturally if she had the chance to escape she was going to take it."

  "Hmm," Dunningham said, taking another swig of wine. "And the others?"

  "Bram is her brother , and Chase is her friend. Maybe they went to see if she was okay."

  Dunningham put his glass down and studied me, making me feel as if something was crawling up my body. "That boy, Bram. The troublemaker. He was the one you were caught kissing once, wasn't he?"

  I put my fork down and didn't answer. He knew very well that it was Bram. He'd subtracted the years from our lives himself.

  "Wasn't it?" he asked again.

  "Yeah," I answered tersely.

  Dunningham frowned and Doyle shifted in his seat. "Yeah? Is that the way you should address me? Is that how you address your father?"

  "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know I was supposed to treat you the way I treat my father."

  He stared at me coldly. "I expect you to treat me with the same respect , if not more."

  My face burned. I didn't appreciate being talked to like a small child getting scolded.

  "You're lying to me," Dunningham said, almost whispering. "My Watchers found a group of you living in a house in Texas. They all came back injured. I have no use for most of them
now."

  I shook my head. "I don't know anything about that."

  Fortunately, Thankfully the servants wheeled in a cart with three covered trays. We were having steak and potatoes, but I was still full from the salad. I picked at my food. Dunningham didn’t seem to notice or mind.

  Dessert was a slice of angel food cake. Dunningham and Doyle had laughed and joked all during dinner , so I assumed he was in a good mood. I figured it would be a good time to ask him an important question.

  "Mr. Dunningham, I would like to see my family. It's been a while and they should know I'm okay."

  He stuck a forkful of cake into his mouth and acted like he hadn't heard me at first. "I will let you see your parents, but not just yet. You need to get used to not being home for a while. After all, you're not a child anymore. You're going to be the lady of this house , and the lady of the house doesn't need her mother."

  "I just want to see them. I don't think it's too much to ask."

  He put his fork down. "What did I just say?"

  "What did I just say?" I demanded. "If I want to see my family, I should be able to see them. I'm not in prison."

  Dunningham closed his eyes and looked as if it took everything inside of him to keep his cool. Doyle took that as his cue to leave. "Mr. Dunningham, I do have some business to take care of. May I be excused?"

  "Yes," Dunningham said, eyeing me.

  Doyle stood and pushed in his chair. He gave me another warning glance and then walked briskly from the room.

  "How dare you embarrass me like that," Dunningham said through clenched teeth.

  A voice in my head told me to back down, but I didn’t. "I'm asking you for a simple favor. I just want to see my family."

  "I gave you a simple answer. I said you will see them, just not yet."

  I folded my arms across my chest. "May I go back to my cell?"

  Before I knew what was happening, Dunningham had leaned across the table and grabbed my arm. "You listen to me, you ungrateful brat. I should have had you executed immediately the second you set foot back in Nowhere. This is what I get for my mercy? You will do as I say when I say and not talk back to me. I'm giving you a very comfortable life here and I only ask for a little in return. Hesper!" He let my arm go.

  Hesper rushed into the room.

  "Yes, Mr. Dunningham."

  "Please take Keira to her room and maybe you can give her a brief lesson on being a woman. I'd prefer to have no more meals with little girls. You know I hate children."

  "Yes, sir," Hesper said.

  I rose from my chair rubbing my arm and more afraid of him than I had ever been. Hesper followed me to my room. Once we entered, she shut the door and whispered, "Listen, I know this is not an easy transition, but you have to go along with things. Do what he says and you'll be fine. Trust me, I've seen others who have tried to do it their way and it doesn't work. Dear, he's not the man to cross."

  A tear slid from my eye against my will. "I don't want to be here."

  She put her hands on my arms and pulled me close to her. "That's a part of this life. We all do things we don't want to do." She lowered her voice even more. "I don't want to be here either, but it's the hand I've been dealt, so I do the best I can with it. You have to learn to do the same."

  Then she left me. I heard the door lock , and I knew I would be locked alone in my room for the rest of the night. I didn't want this life , and I didn't want to be like Hesper. I didn't want to play the hand someone else had dealt me.

  29

  The following morning , Hesper woke me up at five o'clock, which I didn't appreciate , considering I had been up until three o'clock in the morning crying. I was informed that I would get up at five o'clock each morning because it would take me a while to prepare for the day. I needed to be ready for breakfast by eight o'clock.

  "Each morning someone will be here to do your hair and makeup. They will help you choose an outfit. I think today Mr. Dunningham has arranged for you to have brunch with some of the important women of Nowhere."

  I yawned. "Is this what every day is going to be like?"

  Hesper smiled and nodded. "Pretty much."

  I tried to imagine having my every minute planned out. Right down to what I would wear and what I would do that day. If Dunningham hadn't killed his other wives, I was pretty sure they had killed themselves.

  At seven, a woman pushed me down in a chair and ran her fingers through my long straight hair. The other one began on my makeup.

  "Do I have to have makeup?" I asked.

  "Yes, you do. Mr. Dunningham requires it," the makeup artist answered.

  I shut my mouth and let them do their jobs. One of the women pulled a long, slinky black dress from the closet. "This will be perfect for a brunch," she told me.

  I slid into it and put on the same high-heeled shoes I had worn the night before.

  Downstairs, Dunningham was already at the table reading and drinking a cup of coffee. The aroma of eggs and bacon wafted from the kitchen.

  He stood as I approached the table and pulled my chair out for me. The kitchen workers brought our breakfasts out. Neither of us said anything as we ate. I wasn't sure what I should say.

  Dunningham broke the silence. "You'll be hosting your first brunch this morning. Six women will be coming. As my wife, it will be your duty to entertain the women of high society several times a week."

  I suddenly lost my appetite. I had never even been to a brunch. I'd sometimes listen in when my mother held one to gossip with the other women, but I'd never been included. How was I supposed to throw one? I'd never had any interaction with the women of the Upper Estates , and I had no idea how to act or what to say around them.

  "What should we talk about?" I asked him.

  "You know, things of the world and whatever women talk about. I'm sure it will come to you naturally."

  I gave him a small smile and ate the rest of my breakfast. I learned that every morning after breakfast , I would sit with Dunningham and watch him as he dealt with matters of Nowhere.

  The brunch was taking place at eleven o'clock. Until then I was supposed to be with Dunningham in his study.

  For almost five minutes , I sat and watched him adjust his tie in a full-length mirror against the wall. He walked over to me with his hands extended. It took me a second to realize that he wanted me to button the cuffs of his sleeves.

  Once he was happy with his appearance, he sat behind his large desk. "What I do is dispatch jobs to Grims and go over the lifestone budget. I have to make sure we have enough to keep the Mill running as well as to pay the people who work for me."

  It sounded insanely boring to me. I acted like as though I w ere as listening intently as he went through different points he felt I should know. I was close to nodding off when the doorbell rang.

  "That will be your guests," Dunningham said. I nodded and headed for the door. "Keira, don't embarrass me."

  I tried my hardest not to roll my eyes at him. "Yes, Mr. Dunningham," I managed to mutter.

  I closed the door of his study and stood there for a moment trying to catch my breath. Hesper rounded the corner. "Ms. Keira, your guests are here."

  I followed her to the top of the stairs. "They're in the sitting room," Hesper informed me. "Don't worry. Just relax. You're the queen of the beehive. They can't sting you." That only made me feel a little better.

  When we reached the sitting room, Hesper stopped and turned to me. "I'll introduce you."

  She stood in the doorway. "Ladies, I present to you Madam e Keira."

  Madam e Keira? I wasn't Madam e anything. I was just a kid.

  I entered the sitting room. Six women sat on antique sofas holding sterling silver tea cups on tiny plates. The coffee table held trays of fruits and pastries. The women stood at the same time, which startled me. They shouldn't be standing for little insignificant me. I shook each of their hands.

  Each woman wore different versions of a black dress that looked like it came from the same
place. The first woman introduced herself as Sabrina. I shook her hand and repeated her name. I had learned that saying someone's name out loud would help you remember it.

  The next woman looked me up and down in a way I didn't appreciate before taking my hand. "Layla," she said, smiling, but it was a fake smile. She had sharp cheekbones and the glint of hatred in her eyes. I decided then that I probably wouldn't like her.

  After that was Celene. She seemed to be a bit nicer. "You're more beautiful than they say."

  "Thank you," I answered before moving on to the next person. I had already forgotten the names of the first two women. My strategy hadn't worked. The last three women were Luna, Mahini, and Velna.

  Between the two sofas there was one large chair that looked sort of like a throne. Since there was nowhere else to sit, I assumed that I was supposed to sit there. I settled into the seat , feeling totally out of place. Hesper poured me a cup of tea before leaving us alone.

  The women smiled and stared at me. I had no idea what I should speak about.

  "So," Celene said, "tell us all about the wedding plans."

  Wedding plans were the last thing I wanted to discuss. "Oh, I haven't—"

  "But it's in less than a year, dear," said the first woman whose name I had forgotten. "You have to book everyone yesterday for a prestigious event like this."

  Luna laughed. "Sabrina." Yes, that was her name. "She's marrying Mr. Dunningham. I think anyone will make her a first priority whenever she starts planning."

  Sabrina shrugged. "I suppose you're right. But still, if it were me, I wouldn't be able to wait."

  "Me either," Mahini said. "I mean, there must be no budget. You can do practically anything you want."

  Velna placed her teacup on the coffee table. "Keira, I must bring my wedding album by so you can get some ideas. My wedding was fabulous."

  "So," Sabrina said. "This must be a huge change for you. I mean for someone who's never even lived in the Upper Estates to suddenly be living in a palace like this—it must be surreal."

  "Yeah, I feel like I'm dreaming sometimes. It doesn't seem real yet."

  Layla took a long sip of her tea. "So, tell us then. Why did you run away? An opportunity like this is every woman's dream."