Embers and Edict

ross the table where Bianca, her father, and Mindy sat hunched over the printed contract

ork there for a while," he said thoughtfully, "you might just make enou

ed the final clause. Her eyes hovered over the words: Liv

ow. What about you and Mindy? Who's going to cook? Who's going to-?" her voice falt

e just fine, Bianca. You've done more than enough for us already

h her notepad, gave her a sleep

d over and kissed her sister's

s faded blue sedan rattled to a stop in front of the house, its bumper slightly dented and one headlight

as t

he edge of the driveway. The city buzzed in the background,

sha asked, ope

plied, eyes lingering o

soak it in, only speaking when they passed thro

this?" Tasha as

Her breath caught as th

t big-it was

k black ironwork. Rows of manicured hedges shaped like swans framed a marble fountain in th

poured from them like honey. The front doors stood massive

power, like it had been built to

I'll be living?"

softly. "Lo

ug. "I don't know when I'll see you again, but keep in to

ack tightly. "I wil

woman in a tailored black dress stepped out

, the housekeeper. Mr. Lockhart is away in a meeting, but he'll return short

still stunned

w me,

nd Bianca nearly drop

lier floated from the ceiling, refracting soft light in every direction. Marble floors stretched underfoot, smooth

velvet couches, mahogany tables, and painting

, leading her through a long

her room, Bianca's

ped in silk sheets faced an entire wall of windows. Light curtains fluttered gently in the breeze. The adjoining bathroo

ything like this,"

adjust. Dinner is typically at five, I unde

g back to focus. "I'd like to

eeper. "Everything you need will be delivered

fortable clothes, pulled her hair into

culinar

stocked with the finest ingredients. Copper pans hung from above, herbs lined

took a

was

irl from a small apartment

the lion'

ad dinner