Chapter 13
Ihadn’t seen Ursuline since the night of the engagement party.
In fact, as if spending that much time with surface dwellers had exhausted the Tritons, I hadn’t seen a single one of them since either.
Not even my fiancée, which struck me as odd, considering Arielle liked living on land.
If it weren’t for the members of the staff, I’d have thought they’d all but abandoned this place.
Even still, I’d started out lonely, and ever since that night, the ache had grown in intensity.
I applied a few more brush strokes to the canvas, reveling in the feel of those perfect colors meshing on the canvas.
This piece I’d started the night Ursuline had kissed me.
The silhouette of a kiss, but inside the darkness formed, an array of reds, blues, and purples, all competing for dominance, threatened by the splashes of black on the space.
Even though I’d poured those emotions out into the piece, they still dwelled in me, as ever present as a heartbeat.
I finished the last stroke I was working on and pulled away from the canvas. I’d been here the whole day, focusing on the things I could control rather than everything that spiraled beyond me.
At least through this pain, I’d created more art than ever. Though that could also be because I had unhindered access to supplies for the first time in my life. No painting in secret or stealing away to Jason’s.
I wiped my hands on my ratty, paint-splattered jeans and then brought the brushes and palette over to the sink to wash. The usual scents of cleaner bloomed in the air as I washed my brushes off, the paint bleeding into the sink.
A thunk sounded from the upper floor, which drew my attention.
It might’ve been Jacques or Maribella or Kendra.
I’d made friends with Reiliana this week too, as well as Gerald, both of them on the serving staff.
They’d all been overwhelmingly kind, which surprised me given the lukewarm reception I’d received from the Triton family.
Maybe because their employers were only here on occasion. The job probably wouldn’t be as unbearable as working for people like my mother and father, who lobbied a different complaint against a different staff member each day of the week.
I finished washing my brushes and stepped out of the room to investigate. My stomach rumbled in response, in a reminder that I hadn’t eaten anything yet today. And a fair amount of the day had passed.
Maybe that was what my parents had meant when they told me I needed to focus on reality. But when I sank into a piece, everything else melted away. Time grew immaterial.
I strode out of the room, making sure my footsteps were quiet. I wanted to see what I was walking into rather than diving in. Everyone was so secretive in this place, and I thirsted for any scrap of knowledge. When I stepped closer to the kitchen, the voices drifted my way.
“He’s escalating.” Jacques’s voice rang out loud and clear, and I slowed to ensure I didn’t give myself away. “The bay’s been busier than normal.”
My stomach flip-flopped as I crept to the edge of the doorframe.
“Shh, we don’t talk about that,” Maribella hissed at him.
“They’re down below for the week,” Jacques said. “Cleanup needed in their kingdom.”
“I don’t know how they can keep that contained,” Kendra said.
Everyone had congregated in the kitchen.
My palms sweated. I wanted to ask what they were talking about, but the second I appeared, they’d clam up.
Even though they were friendly and kind with me, I was attached to the Triton family, whether I liked it or not.
“They won’t,” Jacques said. “Not for long.”
“Are you thinking of leaving?” Maribella asked.
“I’ve looked around,” he said darkly. My blood chilled. What was the Triton family involved in? All I knew was that they made their riches in the orichalcum business, but I’d never be able to visit New Atlantis to investigate. Only sparing and carefully crafted information reached the surface.
Maybe I shouldn’t be complacently painting in this estate while I knew nothing about the family I’d be marrying into.
Arielle had made it clear she put loyalty to her family first and foremost, and she didn’t seem to care to dig.
What I’d mistaken as a similar parental disapproval between us at first, I’d fast realized wasn’t the case.
Frederick adored her, and she didn’t seem dissatisfied with her lot in life.
She was plenty happy to skate upon the surface.
I lost my grip on the doorframe, and a second later, I plunged into view.
A gasp escaped Kendra, and the cluster of her, Maribella, and Jacques by the kitchen island separated at once as they all put distance between each other.
“Sorry,” I said. “Just popping up to raid the pantry.”
Jacques plastered on a bright smile, even though his dark eyes were wary. His hair was slicked back and pulled into a ponytail today, and he was dressed down, the way he often did when the Triton family flitted off to New Atlantis. “Please, I can prepare something.”
Kendra and Maribella vibrated with tension, passing each other worried glances. Clearly, they wondered what I’d overheard. Not enough.
The sense of being a trespasser had followed me around in this place wherever I went, never being able to settle. Even in the house I’d grown up in, I’d never felt a sense of ease, a mythical idea of home. The one person I’d experienced comfort around, I’d scared off.
And I missed their presence more and more with each passing day.
“I don’t want to put you out,” I commented, heading to the cabinet.
“Not a problem,” Jacques said. “I’m here, and quite frankly, I’m bored.”
“Well, I need to get back to the laundry,” Maribella said, taking the first steps in the opposite direction. Her expression was shuttered—to be expected, I supposed.
“Me too.” Kendra followed close on her heels, eager to escape the awkwardness.
I settled on one of the stools at the island, and Jacques pulled out several containers from the fridge. I’d tried to help before, and he’d smacked my hand with his spoon, so I no longer attempted it. Slight tension remained, buzzing between us, growing louder by the second.
He turned on the stove range and set a pan there, then doused it with a drizzle of oil. The sizzle of garlic hitting the hot pan echoed in the quiet between us.
My nerves couldn’t take it anymore.
“I won’t say anything,” I blurted out.
“Call me na?ve, but I didn’t think you would,” he said, even though his shoulders relaxed. “I know you’re marrying into the family, but you don’t seem close to any of the Tritons.” He glanced back at me. “A certain cecaelia, on the other hand…”
A furious blush heated my cheeks. He wasn’t wrong. And Jacques was far more observant than anyone gave him credit for. “I couldn’t even tell you where any of the Tritons are this week. They’ve been keeping me in the dark.”
Jacques shook his head, letting out a low hum. “That’s their modus operandi. It’s not personal, but I can imagine you’re feeling a bit adrift.”
I scrubbed at my face. “Tell me about it. I went from a household where I was micromanaged to one where I’m essentially abandoned.”
The scent of garlic and tomato filtered through the air, and my stomach rumbled. He seemed to be whipping up a sort of pasta dish, if the bubbling pot of water beside the pan was any indication. Everything Jacques made turned out lovely, and I had never been a picky eater. My mouth watered.
“You know, it’s not too late to escape,” Jacques mentioned.
This hadn’t been the first time he’d warned me away from this place, and my body hummed with a sense of danger at his words.
The comment might’ve been delivered simply, but the seriousness that dwelled behind the statement wasn’t lost on me.
“Where would I go?” I said. “Some spoiled rich kid with no access to funds? I don’t have any useful skills.”
He shook his head. “That what they’d have you believe? I’ve seen your paintings. That sort of talent belongs in a gallery.”
“Which takes time to build,” I replied. “Not like I can chew on some canvas when I’m hungry.”
Still, the idea of running off sparked in my brain, burning brighter than ever. What was to stop me? The Tritons were rarely here, and they didn’t seem concerned about keeping a leash on me.
Jacques didn’t respond at first, plating the meal he’d worked on with the panache and speed of a professional. My stomach rumbled, the hunger I’d ignored for hours taking precedence as he brought over the decadent pasta dish, bright tomatoes and zucchini giving it color.
“Thank you,” I said, gratitude burning in my gut. Not just for the meal, but also for the fact he encouraged me to leave. That he was willing to be as honest as he could with me, even though it came with risk. Maybe because he planned on leaving himself, but I appreciated the concern nonetheless.
“Careful with the contracts,” Jacques said as he leaned against the kitchen island. “That’s a slippery slope you can ask Ursuline about.”
My gut simmered. Marriage was a binding contract, but guaranteed I’d also be required to sign a prenup.
And I doubted they’d let me use an independent lawyer to make sure my best interests were taken care of.
What did Jacques mean about Ursuline? They were the main family lawyer for the Tritons, but was a contract involved in why they worked for them?
Ursuline had always danced around the subject, and now that we’d kissed, I wasn’t sure they’d even entertain a conversation, let alone a personal one.
My chest throbbed at the thought. I’d been squirreling away moments with them, savoring each one like a glass of ice water in the middle of the desert.
The idea of not having any more sent a spike of pain through me.
I speared a few pieces of pasta with my fork and chewed a bite in an effort to distract myself.
The richness of tomato and garlic burst on my tongue, and I savored the flavors for a moment.
“So what you’re saying is that my window is quickly closing,” I murmured.
Because we’d begin talking wedding dates soon, and guaranteed the prenup would come next.
Frederick had made veiled threats due to my knowing their secret, and once I was tied to the family for good, I was sure there’d be more to carry. The prospect made my stomach roil.
“I—” Jacques started to say, when he stood ramrod straight.
“What are the two of you doing in here?” Arielle asked, a tinkling laugh escaping her. “Secret dinners?”
I froze. We’d just been talking about escape, because I thought the estate was empty of Tritons.
However, if Arielle had been lurking in the halls, who knew what she’d heard?
Who knew which other members of the Triton family were back as well.
“I got caught up with painting,” I blurted out, wanting to divert attention.
“Jacques here was kind enough to make me a meal, since I’d forgotten to eat. ”
Arielle smiled at me, and when I’d first arrived here, I would’ve believed that glib laugh, her bright grin.
However, after spending more time with her, I’d come to recognize a bit more of the false front.
Her eyes might sparkle, but they were creeks not rivers.
And her loyalty was to her family, even if she was aware of her limited role in this society.
“Did you want something to eat?” Jacques hurried to ask, seizing the moment as well. His shoulders were tense, and I didn’t miss the slight flare of panic in his gaze.
Arielle shook her head. “No, I had a big meal down in New Atlantis earlier. Still stuffed. I’m looking forward to being back up on the surface for awhile now that Papa’s business is wrapped up.”
“Good to hear,” I stated, plastering a smile on my face as surface level as hers.
Maybe if I’d read her right from the start, I could’ve avoided this farce of an engagement somehow.
Or maybe I’d always been destined to be a pawn for my family.
I took another bite of the pasta, even though my appetite had vanished.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Jacques said with a quick bow before he departed. His eyes wouldn’t meet mine, and guilt flushed through me. Hopefully, he’d tender his resignation sooner rather than later, even if that meant losing his friendly presence in the house. I’d rather he be safe.
Arielle plunked next to me in the seat, but I didn’t feel comforted by her presence. Far from it.
Ever since the night of the engagement party, I’d been hesitant to trust her. I might be na?ve, but even I could eventually see when someone didn’t have my best interests at heart. Arielle cared for her own agenda and whatever allowed her to further it.
“Were you down there painting all week?” Arielle said, swishing her feet back and forth. “You know you’re allowed to go out places. Just get a chauffeur to escort you.”
Right. Because I couldn’t drive off on my own. My best chance of escape would’ve been while the Triton family had been down in New Atlantis. Jacques was right. My window of opportunity was fast closing.
“I’ll do that,” I said. “I’ve been feeling a bit cooped up as of late.”
Even though Arielle always broadcast charm and lightness in spades, for a brief moment, I caught it.
The slight draw of her brows. The coolness in her eyes.
She’d heard our conversation.
My insides chilled.
Just as fast as a storm in the summer rushed past, her expression brightened again, all sunshine and smiles. “You’re always welcome to come dancing. Or hell, even go to brunch. Live a little, Elrich.”
I forced another bite of the pasta down my throat, even though her appearance had soured my appetite.
Something was going on with the Triton family, something I was unaware of.
And I had the sinking feeling if I didn’t get to the bottom of this mystery, I’d be sentencing myself to a fate worse than an arranged marriage.
The secrets that floated around in this society were deadly. One misstep, and I’d find myself a casualty.