Page 110 of Of Masks and Fury

Think, Isi. Think.

Father wanted me compliant at the altar. He wanted me to stand like a proper princess and accept my fate. Every instinct screamed at me to fight, to run, to do anything but submit. But submission could be a weapon too. If I played the broken daughter and let them think I’d given up, they might lower their guard. The wedding would be held in the garden, an open space with multiple exits and guests who might be sympathetic to a princess being forced into marriage.

And if Pherin returned with help…

I couldn’t count on rescue, but I could position myself to take advantage of any opportunity that rose.

I got up and strode into my bedroom, the guards’ eyes tracking me, settling on the bed with a blank journal and pencil to take notes. I drew diagrams of the garden where my father thought he could force me to marry Lord Alfred. Then I studied everything, noting potential weaknesses and coming up with various plans I could put into place when my moment came.

As dawn lightened the sky, I hid the journal and lay on my bed fully clothed.

I couldn’t close my eyes without seeing Trew’s face as they dragged him away, without hearing the promises we’d made to each other in the silence. But I also saw his confidence, his certainty that we’d make it through this.

I wouldn’t answer his vow with anything but strength.

I’ll always find you,he’d told me once.

I touched the striped stone in my pocket.

Hold on, I thought, sending the words out to him. Hold on, and I’ll find a way for us both.

The lock to my sitting room door turned, and I rose from the bed, determined to face whatever was coming with my chin lifted.

Mae entered with two other ladies I barely knew, their arms laden with fabric.

No Lexie. No Kerralyn.

My ribcage spasmed.

“My lady,” Mae said softly. “We’re here to prepare you for your wedding.”

I opened my mouth to ask about the others, but Mae’s gaze flicked toward the guards standing near the door, plus the new ones who’d come inside with my ladies.

She placed a finger to her lips, shaking her head.

She and the other ladies bustled me back into my bedroom and behind the screen. They moved around me, stripping off my simple tunic and pants. Once robed, they guided me into the bathing chamber that had no window. They settled me in the tub and began washing me.

Mae leaned close as she did my hair, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water. “I’ll try to help, but he’s watching me too.”

I caught her wrist, meeting her eyes. “Lexie and Kerralyn?”

“Safe,” she breathed. “Going about their duties without scrutiny.”

Relief flooded me, followed immediately by calculation. If they were alive and could freely roam the castle, they’d act.

“The ceremony will still be held in the garden?” I asked. It would be like my father to change the location but not tell me.

Mae nodded.

Open space. Multiple exits. And if Father thought me broken enough, fewer guards than he’d actually need.

“I’m not going to run,” I said loudly enough for even the guards to hear. The lie came easily. “I just need to know that Blain is alive.”

Mae’s hands stilled in my hair. “He’s in the dungeon. I saw them bring him food this morning.” She paused. “I heard he asked about you.”

Pain lanced across my heart. “What did he say?”

“He wanted to know if you were hurt. If you were well.” Mae’s voice dropped even lower. “And I heard he smiled, my lady. Like a man who knows something no one else does. It startled the guards enough to make them gossip with the staff.”