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Chapter Two

I used to love rain. I used to love how it felt when it hit my face and how it tasted when I caught the droplets in my mouth. I used to love warming myself beside the fire, wrapped in an afghan, watching as steam streamed away from my drying clothes.

I hate the rain now, because it rained the day we buried my father.

I didn't cry that day, though Yolanda bawled her eyes out. They were fake tears, she cared no more for my father that a wolf does his prey. Or, perhaps, they were tears of joy, meaning that the mill would have to support one less person, and there would mean more money and dresses and embroidery thread for her.

Still, I didn't cry and somehow knew, somewhere in my brain, the sky was crying because I refused too. Why the sky would care if I wept or not, I do not know.

However, let's not dwell on the funeral, the thought can still make me cry on lonely nights, and move straight to the reading of the will. The bailiff of the village came to our mill, to straighten out my father's records. To Dominic, my father gave the mill and the house. That was to be expected. I may not like Dominic but I can't deny him his birthright, to carry on with his father's trade. To Hector, my father gave the livestock (Omit the cats, they came with the mill.). Again, this was expected. Then it was my turn, and I, always suspected to be his favorite, was given a cat. Specifically, it was Puss the Russian Blue but still, it came as a shock. I was hoping, expecting actually, a bit gold or money, so I could leave and make my own way in the world.

Hector sold the live stock back to Dominic and returned to the King's Service. The very same day Hector left, Dominic told me that I was to marry Master Kinnlison, a Master Merchant. I'd only meet the fat slob once and I didn't care to again, thank you very much.

At first, Yolanda was against it. If I was gone, who was to keep house? I thought I had found an unlikely ally in my enemy but then Dominic said that with me and my father gone, there would be more than enough money to hire a maid. After that Yolanda was more than happy to see me gone.

I was horrified that I was to be married off, less than a fortnight after my father's death. Did they expect me to wear black to the wedding?

Yolanda told me to clear the table. I refused. Dominic said I needed to learn some obedience. I spat on him. He slapped me. I ran to my room and cried. I think I cried more than the sky did at that the funeral.

Puss jumped up on my bed and started to purr. I grabbed him and buried my face in his fur. I don't think it was every comfortable for him but he didn't fight my grip. In fact, he continued to purr and I fell asleep.

End of Chapter Two