Unbound Enchantment (Unbreakable Force Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

make him angry.”
    He looked so distressed that I found myself assuring him that I wouldn't do anything like that. He calmed down a little. I slipped off the stool and faced him. “Thank you for the bread,” I said, bowing my head in polite thanks. I turned to leave when he pushed the coppers back at me.
    “Take them with you,” he said with a smile. “I haven't had a good talk with a fellow slave in a long while.”
    I stiffened at the word “slave,” but I forced a smile and left. The seated Oppressors didn't so much as glance at me.
    I tightened my cloak around me once outside. An icy wind had sprung up, chilling me. I headed back to Aaric's house, head down. Bertram had given me a lot to think about.

 
    8
    Aaric
     
    A aric sat in his study, pouring over some sketches. They showed birds in flight, bone structure, feathers, and anatomy. He was furiously making notes in a small notebook. If he could just figure out . . .
    He heard the thump of the door closing downstairs. He took off his reading glasses and rubbed his eyes wearily. He absentmindedly reached for his cup of coffee before remembering for the tenth time that it was empty. Grunting irritably, he made a few more notes in his book.
    He heard some clattering in the kitchen and rolled his eyes heavenward. Did the girl not know how to be quiet? “She could wake the dead with that noise,” he muttered grumpily. “How on earth am I supposed to get any work done?”
    He pushed his chair away from his desk and stood up. He picked up his empty coffee cup and went downstairs. The clattering noise continued. He stepped through the kitchen and was surprised to see Adaryn washing dishes. Slowly and with too much soap, but she was doing it. She must have heard him because she turned around to regard him solemnly with her large blue eyes. She had soap on her nose.
    “Ah. Sorry.” Aaric held up his hands and took a step backwards. “Don't let me interrupt your work.”
    Adaryn shook her head. Her light brown hair was a matted mess. He should probably buy her a comb. He looked at her old, worn clothing. He should probably buy her some new clothes, too.
    “Your presence doesn't change anything. I am only washing dishes.” She held out a soapy hand for the coffee cup. Aaric gave it to her. Her voice took on a touch of acid as she turned back to her work. “You're going to make us both sick, leaving the kitchen in this state.”
    Aaric shrugged. “I usually wait to wash until I've used all the dishes. Why do something every time you eat when you only have to do it once a week?”
    “Well, that's just nasty.” She scrubbed so furiously at a plate it was a wonder it didn't break.
    “I'm the so-called savage and barbarian, and even I always clean my plate after a meal.”
    Aaric smirked. “I wasn't aware savages used plates.” He took another step backwards at the look she directed at him. He frowned back.
    Adaryn opened her mouth like she was going to say something but then closed it again with a sigh. “Never mind.” She turned and went back to washing, her shoulders slumped.
    She's still mourning her loss, Aaric thought to himself and felt a twinge of pity. He mentally stamped it out as he turned and went back to his study. It wouldn't do to start feeling sorry for his slave. That wouldn't go over well with society, and he couldn't afford to tarnish his reputation now.

 
    9
    Adaryn
     
    T he sound of his footsteps receded as he retreated back to his study. I sighed in exasperation. That didn't go the way I'd planned at all. It was my fault, I thought glumly. I had to go and insult his cleaning abilities. I looked down at the overfilled sink. I wasn't too good at it myself, if I was being completely honest.
    I glowered at his coffee mug and started to wash it. I needed to talk to him. If Bertram was right, and Aaric was of a different sort from the other Oppressors, I wanted to know to what extent and why. Any information I could glean might be of use once