Any Other Name (The Split Worlds) - By Emma Newman Page 0,13
revealing how stagnated Nether Society’s attitudes were in comparison to Mundanus. “All this duty crap is just a way to control people, and keep control. If I’d been born in Mundanus–”
“You were not,” he cut in. “You were born into one of the most respected families in Aquae Sulis. Why not accept your life and your role in Society?”
“But you didn’t accept it when your father told you not to fight in the war.”
He pursed his lips. “That’s completely different. You’re about to marry into one of the most wealthy and powerful families in Albion. You’ll never want for anything, you’ll have security for yourself and your children, respect in Society – if you don’t destroy that with your wilful behaviour.”
“But I don’t even want children!”
He paled. “Catherine, that is the wish of every woman.”
She wanted to drum the seat of the carriage with her fists but she wasn’t going to waste her first opportunity to try and make him understand where she was coming from. “Just because women are capable of giving birth it doesn’t make that the only thing we should aspire to. There are women in Mundanus who run successful businesses, who lead countries! Powerful, accomplished women doing amazing things, and you just want to trade me like a piece of bloody porcelain!”
“There’s no speaking to you.” He looked out of the window, though there was nothing to see except the mists of the Nether.
“You just can’t handle it when I say things you don’t want to hear and can’t beat me for it.”
She watched him struggle with his anger. Eventually he sighed, closing his eyes. “Catherine, this isn’t just me, it’s what Society expects of you, and what our patrons demand of us. I have always said that your wishes are irrelevant because there is no getting away from the fact that Lord Poppy has decided this marriage will happen. You should be grateful your fiancé had the foresight to request an earlier date.”
“Will wanted to marry sooner?” Cathy couldn’t understand it.
“Yes, and Lord Iris himself must have sanctioned moving the date. I can’t see any other way the Oak would be available, and everything arranged with such short notice. You gave us no choice but to accept. We had to make sure this happened, by whatever means necessary. I don’t enjoy forcing you into this, Catherine. I’m simply doing my duty.”
“But there must be a way to–”
“Enough! Turn all this energy into planning how you will make William happy, or I warn you, Catherine, he could make your life most miserable indeed. Any talk of avoiding this marriage is utterly futile.”
“I managed to make a life in Mundanus and people would say that’s impossible. It’s not a crime to not want to marry a man I hardly know!”
“You think your mother and I knew each other? We met on two occasions before we were married, the first at a garden party, the second at our engagement ball. You’ve been infected by some romantic ideas from Mundanus. It just isn’t like that here. We do things the way they’ve always been done, and I will not risk my entire family’s honour just because you refuse to toe the line.”
“Toe the line? This is slavery by another name!”
“That’s it, if you–”
A flash of red at the window distracted them. One of Poppy’s tiny faeries, in the same red petal dress as the last time Cathy saw her, was tapping on the glass.
Father knocked loudly on the roof of the carriage and the driver halted the horses. The door was opened and the faerie fluttered inside, clapping her hands joyfully at the sight of Cathy’s dress.
“Oh! It’s so exciting!” She twisted in the air to look at Cathy’s father. He knocked on the roof to start the carriage again once the door was shut. “Are you the favourite’s father?”
“I am.” He inclined his head respectfully.
“What do you want?” Cathy asked, a thousand awful possibilities coming to mind with little effort.
“Lord Poppy wanted to make sure you looked perfect.”
“That’s very thoughtful of him,” Father said.
“He said that when he sees his favourite arrive, he wants to weep bitter-sweet tears.”
“Lord Poppy is at the Oak?” Father asked as Cathy felt nauseous.
“And Lord Iris!” The faerie pirouetted in the air. “That’s why Lord Poppy sent me. Now close your eyes and I’ll make sure he isn’t disappointed.”
“Have you ever met any Fae royalty?” Ekstrand asked.
Max shook his head. “No, sir.”
“Well, it should be an education to you then. Do you have