Page 19 of Born for Silk
“You two take me for a fool,” she spits out. “I have seen the way you both behave toward each other.”
It’s really one-sided…
She purses her lips as though a lemon seeps juice below her tongue. “Like children,” she says. “Not like Silk Girls. You both have His mark. You will go to a lord or a member of The Guard. Maybe even to Kong if he ever decides it’s time. Iris, you’re the senior girl in this house until that happens. And Aster, you have such promise. Don’t let all that talent go to waste. And I will not be made a fool of. Do you hear me?”
“I don’t have any ill feelings toward—” Iris begins, but Wardeness isn’t accepting any lies today.
“Don’t fib to me.” She grabs the knickers from Iris. “Now. I don’t know why you hid your blood or why Iris was showing it off like a flagship to the other girls, but I know you two are at odds. Trade will, I hope you aren’t chosen for the same placement, but if you are, then you need to remember your vows. I will lock you both up and have you repeat them from first-light to last-light if I must.”
Fury bubbles inside me. “I don’t have a problem with Iris, Miss.” I stare at Iris, bored. “I couldn’t care less about her.”
Iris’s teeth clench behind her fake smile.
Wardeness pinches her brow between her fingertips. “Trade Help Me. Okay.” She lowers her hand, resolute, and stares at us; a strange expression moves across her aging face. “Tonight. Gosh, I have only ever done this once before. But you are both very desirable Silk Girls. I cannot have your foolish ways stop you from achieving Meaningful Purpose. It is too important. I care too much for you both. Tonight,” she begins, her voice lowering. “I will collect you from your rooms, and we will go for a night ride in the van. It will be only the three of us. And you must not tell the other girls.”
“Of course, Miss,” Iris coos. I can hear the bullshit in her voice, but so many believe her to be sweet.
Around us, girls drag their feet to eavesdrop. I don’t like the idea of going anywhere in the middle of the night with Iris, but foolish interest whispers between my ears.
“That will be all for now, girls.” The Silk Wardeness looks between us expectantly. “Go back to your independent studies. I will see you tonight.”
I keep my composure, nod stiffly, and walk to the study hall, not looking up or around until I’m certain that I’m away from Iris and her groupies.
An entire night with Iris.
Oh joy.
I push open the heavy wooden door and am greeted by empty desks, a quiet room, and a single girl, Cherry, kneeling at the platform, probably asking The Cradle for two sons and one daughter in her future.
Ahead of me, high and proud, the magnificent portrait of our king hangs, framed by stained-glass windows.
Ambient light from outside filters through the glass, casting the mural in colours, bringing the images to life. His eagle, a black and orange figure like an umbrella over the portrait. The tides of The Strait below, navy and black waves, and white foam. The Redwind, depicted in red and orange fragments, creates a fishbowl effect around the piece.
I tilt my head as I study it, feeling warmth pool low inside me, taking in the regal sight and artistry before me. It doesn’t do him justice. Not now that I have seen him in the flesh. Felt his hands on me.
Swallowing the reverie, I move toward one of the desks. The Silk Wardeness’ outing sits in the front of my mind.
A team exercise, maybe?
Some kind of bonding?
It doesn’t matter.
Whatever she has to show us won’t change Iris. And I need to win by excelling. In ballet. In poise and manners. In being a Silk Girl. So I can leave this glass container and see more of…
Anything.
I open my desk and retrieve the text, Anatomy of a Silk Girl. I flip to chapter seventeen, Perineal Tears, and start reading.
At the end of the day, after studying and ballet, I wash the sweat from dancing off my skin with scolding water.
It’s always extra hot.
The wooden shower mat beneath my feet is warm, too, almost too warm. Floating around in the puddles are fresh petals, the scent of which mingles with the tree leaves, cedar, and tar used to heat the room year-round. Heat in the showers aids to cleanse us.
Cleanliness is a virtue.
Especially for a Silk Girl.