Pariah (The New Covenant Series) (3 page)

“My husband took the boys back
to their father about a year after we left. Their father had become successful and powerful in the seafarer land, and had sent for them. But, I’m off on a rabbit trail. My husband was on the council and made sure that I was placed as your governess,” she said, turning to look up at me.

I felt numb. My mother
and father were dead. I had no siblings or family to speak of—except for Miss Annette—whom until now, I thought only of as my governess. Looking back, I realized that she never let on at all that she had raised me or knew anything about my past. Why had she kept this from me? All these years, I had wondered about the family I might see when I could leave this prison. Now I knew no one awaited me. I was utterly alone.

My bottom lip quivered, and I
blinked out a tear, which began its journey down the skin of my cheek and plunged off of my jaw. “Why?” I said, my voice cracking under the weight of the emotion coursing through my veins.

She grabbed my hands in hers and looked up at m
e. “Your mother made me promise, Solara. I had to protect you. The council knew that I had helped raise you. They made my position as governess conditional. No one could know that you were mine, or it would appear that you were receiving preferential treatment over Lillian and Aria. The council also forbade me to tell you until the reveal. For revealing this to you now, I am in violation of my oath to both the council and your mother,” she said, her lips curving downward. “I am sorry, Solara. I had to keep you safe.”

I dropped her hands and scoff. “Safe from what? From love?
From knowing that there may be another person alive who cares that I am on the face of the planet?” My blood began to boil and yet my sadness continued to pool in my eyes and overflow gently down the paths of my skin.

“It was the only way. You w
ill understand soon,” she said, looking away, wiping tears of her own.
Did she expect sympathy from me?
Coldly, I straightened myself, took the dress, draping it over one arm, and grabbed the jewelry from her. “May I please be excused, Miss Annette?” I said, looking toward the door, unable to look her in the eyes.

She nodded silently, and I swi
ftly exited, swiping more tears with the back of my hand.

“It’s time to get ready!” Lil said,
bursting into my room with her gown, shoes, and jewelry. “Oh, I forgot to tell you! Mr. Wesley’s little sister is actually our age, and she is eligible for marriage this year. She has a gown and would like for us to get ready together. Her name is Rachel and she actually has some makeup that we could use! I told her that we would help her with her hair. Would you run down to Mr. Wesley’s room and get her while I get my things situated? This has to be perfect!” she squealed.

“Okay. Be right back,” I turned
to leave, and Lil grabbed my elbow.

“Hey, are you okay? You seem..
.off,” she said, eyeballing me, raising her eyebrow, and cocking her head to the side.

How does she know me so well?
“Yeah. I’m fine. Just nervous about tonight. I’m not exactly the best dancer in the world, and I could definitely do without the attention,” I retorted, trying not to let the tension in my face and shoulders show. If I pretended to believe it myself, maybe she could be fooled as well.

“Well, don’t worry. Tonight’s going to be
fun. You’ll see. You can’t
not
have fun when I’m around!” She skipped over to hang her dress on the iron sconce while I retreated to the hallway, releasing my breath, thankful that she hadn’t seen right through my lie.

I padded down the stone hallway with
bare feet, hoping to slip by Miss Annette’s room and Aria’s unnoticed. Mr. Wesley’s room was at the opposite end of the hallway on our floor. Hauntingly beautiful notes sounded through his door, which was ever so slightly cracked open. I could just barely see in, but I didn’t see Rachel. I knocked lightly on the door, but only the haunting notes answered.

Pressing my palm against
the rough grains of the wooden door, I eased it open very slowly. Then, I saw him. Mr. Wesley was seated on a wooden chair in the corner of his room next to his bed. He was wearing only tan pants, his sculpted torso revealed in its entirety. His head was down, eyes closed, still-wet brown hair slightly curling on his forehead.

The muscles rippled across
his chest and arms as he dragged the bow back and forth across the large wooden instrument skillfully, producing the achingly beautiful sound that almost seemed human. It mirrored the despair that had accumulated in my heart from Miss Annette’s revelation this afternoon. I did not recognize the song but was mesmerized by the entire scene—of shirtless Mr. Wesley, his hands grasping and teasing the beautiful wooden instrument and bow as if it were a lover in his arms. Entranced, I stared and listened to the notes that emanated from it—from him.

Screech
! “Solara! You scared me!” he said, jerking the bow to a halt.

My heart beat thunderously against my chest. “I am
so
sorry, Mr. Wesley. Lillian said that your sister is here and would like to get ready with us, and I came to see if she wanted to join us in my room to get ready, and I heard you playing that instrument, and I did knock, but you couldn’t hear me over the sound, and I really love that sound, and I’m sorry, but I watched you play for a moment,” I said, finally exhaling. I always blabbered when nervous. “Anyway, sorry,” I mumbled, averting my eyes from his beautiful form.

He laughed and shrugged a white shirt on, glancing at me to
see if I was still gawking. I had turned to let him dress but could still see him in my periphery. My cheeks sizzled, which meant that my face was blushed, and I probably looked like a complete idiot right about now. “It’s okay. Come in. Please. Have a seat. Rachel will be back in a couple of minutes.” He gestured toward the wooden chair at a small table opposite him.

“Are you sure? Because I don’t want to interrupt you, and I can just go back to my room, and you can tell Rachel to come down when she gets back if you want.” I rambled again, wrenching my hands of the nervousness oozing from them.

He smiled and gestured to the
chair again and said, “Please. I insist.” I complied and sat across from him, nervously looking up at him. His green eyes sparkled at me, and I met his gaze and began to laugh. He laughed too.

“You must be pretty nervous a
bout the introduction tonight,” he said, raising one brow and smiling, revealing a small dimple on his left cheek, which completely contrasted with his freshly shaved chiseled jaw line.

“Yes,” I exhaled. “I am. I’m not good at these things. I’m a
terrible dancer. I hate attention, and in general, I am not looking forward to being offered up to men as a possible wife. It just seems wrong to me. I guess I shouldn’t tell you that though, huh?” I lightly laughed, hoping I hadn’t just gotten myself in trouble.

“I understand,” he said, looking at
me with, is that pity? “I hate it that my baby sister is going through the same thing. I just hope that the men that apply for her hand in marriage are honorable and that the ruling council chooses her husband wisely,” he said, furrowing his brow. Thank goodness he was disgusted with the entire process as well.

“She has no chance of being the chosen. She was born in the
winter. But you three have a chance. Who knows? You may not be getting married if the Lord chooses you, Solara.” He shifted in his chair, laying the large instrument on his mattress and placing the bow on his pillow.

“Mr. Wesley, I don’t think I ha
ve much to worry about. I think that the Lord will choose someone who is much more interested in actually
being
the chosen than I would ever be.” He rubbed his palms together and then began to roll the sleeves of his white shirt up. It had grown stuffy in the tower as the day progressed.

He smiled at my comment. “Yo
u never know, Solara”—he paused—“outside of instruction, please call me Wesley or Wes, whichever you prefer. If we aren’t in class, there’s no need to be so formal.”

“Okay. Then you can call me La
ra outside of class of course.” I returned his smile and marveled at the emeralds gazing back at me.

“Of course,” he said playfu
lly. Then his tone changed to a much more serious one. He swallowed and held my eyes captive with his and then softly and slowly said, “Would you do me one favor this evening at the introduction?”

“You don’t have to ask me to look out for Rachel. That goes
without saying.”

“No, it’s not that. I would as
k that you save a dance for me, Lara,” he said, raising his brows, a half-smile sneaking up on his face. Then his expression changed to a much more serious one as he looked toward the door. I heard footsteps approaching. “Of course, I would like to dance with each of my students tonight, maybe make it a tradition. Could you pass the word on to Lillian for me?” He smiled, nervously awaiting the door. I nodded and jumped as the door swung open, revealing a beautiful young woman with strawberry-blonde hair that just skimmed her shoulders. Her beautiful light brown eyes dance from Wesley to me and back, their color enhanced by her light green dress.

She bounced over to me, and be
fore I could stand all the way, she grabbed me and embraced me tightly. I tried to move my arms enough to pat her back, but she grabbed both of my arms, holding me away from her, looking me over. Looking at Wesley, she squinted and said, “Let me guess...Solara? Am I right?”

Wesley nodded and smiled, sh
owing his dimple and deep green eyes that peeked up from underneath long dark eyelashes. She bounced around, grabbed her shoes, dress, and a heavy-looking huge bag, which I assumed held the hair and makeup items she planned to torture us with. She threw the bag at me and dragged me behind her screaming “
Eeeep!
” down the hall—a force of energy to be reckoned with.
Lil will love this girl.

As Rachel finished my hair, whi
ch crowned my head in intricate braids, and the remainder of the long waterfall of tresses wound into cascading curls that skimmed my waist, she tucked some peacock feathers on one side of the crown of braids to further embellish, stating that she saw my dress in Miss Annette’s room and knew they would look perfect with the teal color. My door swung open and banged against the stone behind it, slamming into the worn wood. “Let’s go, bitches!” Aria shouted. “Miss Annette and our escorts are waiting,” she sung, with arms crossed one high-heeled crimson foot tapping impatiently. Her ebony hair cascaded in curls over her chest and back. Her pouty lips matched her dress, in the perfect color for her—harlot red.

Taking last glances in the small mirror that Mis
s Annette loaned us, I was amazed at my reflection. I no longer looked like a young lady. I had transformed into a woman. My blue eyes popped, expertly lined with charcoal. Blushing cheeks and plump-grape lips stared back at me, and my hair was nothing short of amazing. The metamorphosis was complete.

Lil looked gorgeous in he
r peppy yellow gown. Her blonde hair braided down its length adorned with small white daisies. Their yellow centers accentuated her dress and her sweetness that was always present, except for when Aria was in the vicinity. Shimmery pink surrounded her eyes and swirled across her lips and high cheek bones. She was like nature sprite royalty.

Rachel’s dress was deep purpl
e, making her strawberry blonde locks pop. The neckline of her gown formed a
V
in both the front and in the back. Its delicate fabric softly gathered at the waist and flared to the ankle. Her hair lay in loose curls that just grazed her collarbones. Her lips, somewhat thin, were blood red. Her light brown eyes were highlighted in bronze and gold and lined with charcoal like mine. In other words, we looked amazing.

“You heard her. Let’s go, bitches!” screeched Rachel, trying to
mock Aria’s tone. She bounced out the door, perfectly excited for the unknown of the evening. Aria followed, and Lil and I giggled as we locked arms and walked out the door together. Though I hated the idea that we would be put on display tonight for the kingdom’s bachelors, my inner kitten purred—feminine, sexy—for the first time in my life.

W
e met Miss Annette in
the hallway near the winding spiral stone staircase that led to freedom. My eyes refused to meet her gaze as she made the introductions. Our escorts for the evening’s event were actually fortress guards. I recognized them from their occasional patrols on our floor.

T
hey definitely weren’t in guard uniforms tonight. Clad in black suits with white dress shirts tucked crisply underneath, they were almost as stunning as we were.
Almost
. Miss Annette mentioned that their fashions and our gowns were styles from the old country. The three gentlemen who stood before us were the most handsome men on the planet right now as far as I was concerned. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks betraying my newfound confidence.

Aria was paired with a tall gentleman, probably a few years
older than us. He had dark close-cut hair and small but expressive deep brown eyes. Muscular dark skin peeked from underneath his clothes. He smiled at Aria and offered her his arm, which she immediately latched onto, and I wondered if he would ever be the same after she was through with him. They were only supposed to guard us at the introduction ball, but the look on Aria’s face indicated more sinister plans for him tonight.

Miss Annette guided Lil to h
er guard. He looked to be about thirty years old with light brown hair and eyes. His nose, slightly crooked, only added to his appeal. He seemed serious, jaw clenched tight as he offered Lillian his arm.

My guard was introduced as Faric. His dark brown hair was
closely cut as well.
Part of the uniform?
Faric’s sun-kissed skin and bowed fuchsia lips were captivating. He had just enough stubble on his jaw to make him look ruggedly handsome.
Oh my. His
eyes.
Deep teal, flecked with a slightly lighter shade of the same.

I took his arm and felt his muscles tense and ripple under the
arm of his suit jacket. My heart skipped a beat and then wildly pounded in my chest. A slight warm breeze blew through the evening air, sending his scent to my nose.
Hmmm, divine
. He smelled of masculinity and exotic spices.

Rachel had no guard as she was no
t a potential, simply eligible. She trailed behind us, walking alone. I stopped, allowing her catch up to Faric and me. “Would you mind serving as an escort to Rachel as well? Mr. Wesley, her brother, is going to meet her at the ball but is in charge of the music, so he can’t escort her this evening,” I pleaded. He looked at me with his oceanic eyes and smiled and extended his other arm to Rachel, who smiled and took it gratefully.

“Two beautiful ladies? Must
be my lucky night.” He smirked then added, “I must be a rose between two thorns!” Which quickly earned evil looks and playful punches from both of the true roses of the evening.

The group of non
-potential eligible women were introduced first by Councilman Rileck, a short, plump bald man who enjoyed the sound of his own voice way too much. The non-potential eligibles, a group of seven, huddled together at the side of the stage opposite us, and they crossed the stage one at a time as their names were announced, pausing to give the gentlemen in the crowd a good look at them before returning to their group.

If their looks could kill, the f
ine fabric of our dresses would lie on the ground, soaked with crimson. We were clad in amazing dresses and beautiful jewelry. No doubt they were wearing their best linen gowns, perfectly pressed. Their hair was beautifully curled and braided, but their sneers and snickers revealed their jealousy or hatred. Or both.

Rachel was the last of the
non-potentials introduced. Councilman Rileck took her hand and kissed her knuckles. She bounced up to the front of the stage, beaming with excitement, waved to the crowd of sixty or so eligible men who gazed at her before she retreated to the side stage to meet back with us.
Gross. They looked at her as if she were a piece of meat.

“Gentlemen, a few words
before we introduce you to the potential chosen of this year’s class...if you will. We pray and implore our mighty God in Heaven to grant us our ardent plea that the chosen be presented to us this year in the form of one of these lovely creatures. Please consider any woman eligible for marriage and feel free to dance with her when your turn comes around. You may even apply for her hand tonight, if you so desire, and I bet a few of you will. You will have two weeks to make application. Failure to do so will disqualify you from seeking marriage approval this year. Without further hesitation, our first potential chosen this year, I give you, Aria,” he said, sweeping his arm forward.

In typical Aria fashion, she
sauntered down toward the front of the stage, pausing in front of the men. She puckered her pouty red lips and blew a kiss into the crowd, earning several whistles and cat calls. I wondered if any man here hasn’t gone a round or two before with her anyway.

Sh
aking my head, I snapped myself out of those negative thoughts as Lil’s name was called. Lil strode confidently to the front of the stage and paused, assessing the crowd of men just as severely as they seemed to be assessing her. She also received some whistles, which enticed her beaming sprite-like smile out from its hiding place.

My heartbeat resou
nded in my ears as I awaited my introduction. Councilman Rileck cleared his throat and said, “And last but certainly not least, feast your eyes on the stunning and sultry Solara!” His pudgy fingers clasped mine and guided me onto the stage. Sweat beaded on his forehead, which was a bright red color, matching his bulbous nose. He smelled of vinegar. I was almost numbly nervous.
Did he just describe me as sultry? Put one foot in front of the other, Solara. Do not fall on your face.

Then the words he said sank into the folds of my brain.
Sultry
. I decided to try to conform to the description, giving a flirty and hopefully sultry half-smile, lifting one eyebrow and placing one hand on my hip as I paused before them. All eyes were on me, which was a first.

Glancing into the crowd, I saw a familiar set of
beautiful green eyes staring back at me shrouded in surprise and amazement—probably from the sultry side of Solara that had only revealed itself tonight. Wesley. Wes.
Is he making application?
My heart fluttered as I walked back, pondering the same.
Breathe.

While the councilman fu
rther explained the application process and motioned to tables that were manned and set up with the necessary papers, I scanned our beautiful surroundings.

It looked as though the large
open space of this building was intended for banquets and balls. The floors of dark brown wood were polished, reflecting the twinkling lights pouring over the large space by the ornate candle-filled chandeliers that hung from each of the beautiful broad wooden crossbeams spanning the massive space.

Small planted
trees were situated around the room’s perimeter along with an assortment of beautifully colored potted flowers. Through the maze of intricate floral notes, I caught the scent of jasmine, my favorite. Cream-colored candles squeezed onto every sconce and filled all available space in the window ledges. Ethereal. Beautiful.
Breathe.

A waiter approached, dres
sed in a simple white frock and brown pants and offered each of us a beautiful curved glass of red wine. The crimson liquid swirled thickly in the glass as I pulled it toward me. I was never allowed to taste wine and was unsure of what to expect from both its taste and potential intoxicating effects. Nervously, I glanced at Lil, who shrugged her shoulders and took a sip. Aria took her glass, shot us a look of disgust and sauntered away.

Upon seeing Ar
ia’s retreat, Rachel smiled and said, “Ladies, good luck, and I pray that each of us is awarded a handsome young man who will fulfill all of our desires and attend to our every whim, constantly doting his love upon us for the rest of his existence!” She threw her head back laughing and held the glass out in expectation.
Clink! Clink! Clink!
We laughed nervously, and I agreed wholeheartedly with the handsome and young parts. There were some old men apparently eligible, and they seemed all too eager.
Gross.

The smell of the crimson li
quid was woodsy and yet somehow floral at the same time. I inhaled the aroma as the intoxicating drink slipped past my lips, invading all of my senses simultaneously. It was unlike anything I had ever tasted and quite wonderful. I tried to drink the first glass quickly, silently begging that it helped me dance gracefully, and helped me be pleasant despite the circumstances. It wasn’t marriage I craved. It was freedom.

Ladies, please take your place
s in front of the stage, and we will commence this evening’s introduction ball with a waltz,” the councilman loudly announced as he dramatically motioned us toward a set of wooden steps leading off the stage to his right was already in position when we arrived of course. We filed into a line, the non-potential eligible women trailed behind me, snickering and giggling. I rolled my eyes trying to focus on being cheerful and what else was I supposed to be—oh yeah, sultry.

The musicians set up on the s
tage behind us and began tuning their instruments as the organizers began the process of sifting through the eligible gentlemen, placing them into queues for each eligible woman. The potentials had the longest lines, and one line seemed much longer than the others.
Probably Aria’s.

Glancing at Lil and Rachel ner
vously, they seemed to be happy and giggling, laughing about how much fun this was and how wonderful the wine tasted and how beautiful the room was and how exciting it was to be out of the fortress. Rachel has always been free but seemed empathetic all the same. I tried to force a smile toward them in a feeble attempt to join their conversation but was so nervous. I couldn’t focus my thoughts at all. Lil squeezed my hand and said, “Relax and have fun. It’ll probably be our only night out—ever. I plan to enjoy every minute! Just pretend to be whomever you want to be tonight and forget about nervous, Solara. Be sultry, Solara. I am going to be a complete dancing diva!” She giggled, bouncing on her toes in anticipation and giddiness.

For some reason, perhaps the
comfort of her hand or the fact that she had again proven to know me better than anyone else in the world, her words comforted me, and I was finally able to relax. “You know, Lil. You are right. I
am
sultry Solara. Let’s show these boys how the potentials roll!” I said, squinting my eyes in determination, straightening my shoulders and pursing my lips to appear fearless and sexy.

Rachel
squealed with approval. She glanced back over our shoulders, keeping an eye on her brother as he set up on the stage behind us. I glanced back to Mr. Wesley as well. He winked at Rachel and mouthed, “It’s okay,” before looking back to his guitar. He looked amazing in his dark suit and stark-white shirt. He was dressed as handsomely as our escorts were. My eyes were torn away from him as the first gentlemen were ushered toward us.
Wolves seeking sheep
.