Garnet's Story Read Online Free Page B

(Annabelle would care about a flower being crushed by a boot), it does surprise me how much I resent it. Annabelle isn’t mine , I know, but . . . I guess I miss her a little.
    Lucien calls me at random times on my arcana late at night and I tell him about the doctor visit and the garden and the cello. It’s not much, but he seems fine with that.
    â€œWhat’s so special about this one?” I ask one night. “Or are you keeping track of all the surrogates in the Jewel?”
    â€œOf course not,” he scoffs.
    â€œI guess it would be difficult to blackmail all the royal sons,” I say dryly.
    â€œNot as hard as you’d think,” Lucien replies, and I can hear his smug smile.
    â€œSeriously? Who?” I want all the details. I wonder what he’s got on Peri.
    â€œJust keep your eyes and ears open, and tell me everything, no matter how insignificant,” he says. It’s the only answer I ever get.
    One morning, Mother calls me and Carnelian into the first-floor drawing room. It’s never a good sign when she wants to see us together.
    â€œIt is time that you both are to be married,” she announces.
    â€œTo each other?” Carnelian gasps in horror.
    Honestly. You’d think she grew up in the Marsh not the Bank.
    â€œPlease, Carnelian,” Mother says with a delicate shudder. “I just ate breakfast. I am looking to find each of you a suitable match. It is past time you, at least, were engaged,” she says to me. I can’t think of a single royal daughter I could imagine being engaged to, much less live the rest of my life with.
    â€œSurely I could wait a few more—”
    But Mother cuts me off. “This is not up for discussion. Carnelian, I will see you back here at three o’clock to meet with the Lady of the Flame. Garnet, you and I will be having tea tomorrow at the House of the Locks.”
    It’s my turn to shudder. The daughter of the House of the Locks has acne, crooked eyes, and a deep, abiding loveof bird-watching.
    â€œOh, Carnelian,” she adds as I open the door to leave. “If we are to properly find you a husband, you must have a companion. He will be arriving this afternoon.”
    Carnelian looks like the Longest Night celebration came early.
    I GET MY FIRST ACTUAL INTERACTION WITH THE SURROGATE that night.
    Mother has Father’s family over for dinner. The footman announces me and I swagger into the dining room, last to arrive, just the way I like it. Mother complains but she was the one who taught me the virtue of being fashionably late.
    The surrogate watches me, almost as if she’s fearful. I wonder if it’s me, or if she’s frightened of everyone.
    â€œMother, Father,” I say, taking a proffered glass of champagne. “Am I late?”
    A muscle in Mother’s jaw twitches.
    â€œShall we sit?” Father says brightly.
    The companion Mother bought for Carnelian is very good looking, even for a companion, which says a lot. I immediately dislike him. She sits beside him with an enraptured look on her face.
    Aunt Iolite wastes no time setting up jokes at Carnelian’s expense and Mother is quick to join in.
    â€œI see you finally got a companion for her,” I say through a mouthful of beets, because Carnelian’s wounded puppy face is becoming too much to take. I wipe my mouth with a napkin and extend my hand to him. “I’m Garnet, by theway.”
    I love introducing myself like that. There is no way this guy doesn’t know who I am. But I’m interested to see how he reacts.
    â€œAsh Lockwood,” he says pleasantly, returning my handshake.
    Hmph. No flicker of recognition at all. He’s good.
    â€œHe’s a looker isn’t he, cousin?” I say. “How much is he costing you, Mother?”
    I only get the slightest reward of Mother’s nostrils flaring before the companion cuts in and smoothly redirects the conversation to