Did that mean…I could pursue something else? My heart skipped a beat, hope bubbling to the surface. I’d wanted to be an artist my whole life, and at every turn my parents, my extended family, had stonewalled me from that dream. Durands didn’t engage in “frivolous wastes of time.”
Except nothing about painting was frivolous to me. I’d take any canvas—from stretched panels to building walls. Anywhere to let the explosion brimming inside me escape.
“Frederick Triton contacted me awhile ago,” he started, and I tensed. I knew the name, albeit a newer one, because families like ours ran in similar circles. Most days, I loathed the wealth we had. And then guilt flushed through me all over again, because so many would kill for the hoard we’d accumulated. I wished we could give so much of it away, live more modestly. We didn’t need most of what we had, while so many people in Peregrine City struggled to find housing or a warm meal.
I stared at my hand. I’d missed another paint spot when I’d scrubbed down last night.
“I told him no back then. It was clear he wanted a tie to our family, a bridge of sorts.”
My brow wrinkled. Had I missed something my father said? It wouldn’t be the first time.
“He has a daughter about your age,” Angus continued. “I don’t think there’s going to be a position for you here at Albatross. Not one where I feel confident handing the reins over. I believe we should entertain Frederick’s proposal.”
Ice slithered down my veins. “His proposal would be…?”
“A permanent connection between our families. You might not be an asset to Albatross Industries, but securing some of Triton’s wealth would help the Durand name,” Angus continued.
My stomach sank. I didn’t like the direction this was going. “Might not be an asset” drove a stake through my chest too. “I’msure if I tried a different position, I’d be better at it. What about answering phones? Some sort of customer service role?”
Angus’s lip curled in a sneer. “No son of mine will be answering phones. We’ve tried you in a variety of management positions, but every time, we end up in situations like this.” He gestured at the emptied out board room. “No, I think meeting Triton’s daughter would be a good idea. Arielle’s a beautiful girl, and it’s not like you’re seeing anyone.”
That was what I feared.
“What are you implying?” I asked, drumming my fingers on my thigh. The resolve in my father’s gaze, as if his will would always be adhered to, sent a frisson of cold through me. Because truth be told, I’d been chasing his approval for so long that I didn’t know another path. They’d made sure my assets were tied to theirs, so I wouldn’t have the freedom to start over as an artist. Not the resources or the know-how.
Yet I was tempted.
“I’m stating that we’ll set up a meeting between you and Triton’s daughter. And by the end of it, hopefully we’ll have a new, happy union on the horizon.” Angus lifted his chin, as if daring me to rebel.
I swallowed hard. “So an arranged marriage.”
The words landed stark in the air, a reality I’d never considered. My whole life, I’d been told I was following in my father’s footsteps. That I’d take over Albatross Industries once I was old enough. I’d seen other marriages of convenience in the society we mingled in. Peregrine City’s wealthiest. Well, wealthiest humans, at least. My parents had consorted with Human First on a regular basis, and they made their dislike of monsters clear.
I couldn’t understand why.
The most beautiful paintings and pictures had variety—shapes and colors of all types. And the hate Human First preached hadnever settled well with me. Just another reason I didn’t fit in with my parents and their peers.
I scrubbed my face with my palms, which smelled like the coffee I’d been cleaning up. The sharp scent wasn’t enough to break through the haze that settled over me, though, like I waded through a dream that would soon turn into a nightmare.
“All we’re asking is for you to meet Arielle,” my father said, his voice insidiously light. “She’s a beauty. I’m sure sparks will fly.”
I licked my lips, swallowing back the questions bubbling up inside me. Rebellion on my part would be met with consequences. That was the way my efforts always ended up. The earliest time that stood out was when I’d pushed back on etiquette lessons, and they’d fired my favorite housekeeper as a result. The one who’d snuck me chocolates, who’d sung me lullabies when I was younger.
As I aged, the consequences grew sharper and more severe.
“Fine,” I said. “A meeting.”
Even agreeing to as much tasted like ash on my tongue. Guaranteed, we wouldn’t be given an option. Our fathers were clearly planning our arrangement like we were pawns on a chessboard. Since I’d failed at following in Angus’s footsteps at Albatross, he’d decided I’d be of better use sold off.
A lump formed in my throat, one he wouldn’t approve of. I’d always been too sensitive for him. Too emotional.
Men don’t cry.
“You can head home for the rest of the day,” he said. “I’ll bring the cleaning staff in to finish up here. We can discuss more about your future tonight.”
My future.
Which I had no part of. No say in.
