Page 23 of Of Masks and Fury

“We don’t have a choice.” He kissed my forehead. “But for a few hours each night, you’re mine.”

My core clenched at his possessive growl. I wanted to pull him closer, to lose myself in him again and forget everything waiting beyond these walls.

But we had work to do.

“We need a plan.” I ran my fingers across his chest, savoring the steady thrum of his heartbeat. I explained about the increased guards and patrols. “I don’t know what it means.”

His hand found my hip, stroking absently. “My disguise as your bodyguard gives me access to the entire castle. I can map the layout, identify threats, and find vulnerabilities. Your father’s worries might stem from the Skathe news. Fenmark and Addie could’ve uncovered something big.”

I traced the lines of his palm, following each callus and scar I’d memorized. “We have less than two weeks until the Day of Mercy. Twenty-three people are scheduled to die. They’re in the dungeon.”

“We’ll stop it.”

“And we need to find Addie and Fenmark.”

His jaw tightened. “That letter could be a trap.”

The thought had haunted me through the night. “What if it’s not? What if she’s here, somewhere in this castle, and I’m her only chance?”

“Then we’ll find her.” His hand stilled on my hip. “But carefully. Your father is watching you.”

“He already suspects something.” I met his eyes. “You saw how he looked at me yesterday. He knows I’m different. I can’t hide that I’m stronger. Less afraid.” I smiled without humor. “You taught me that.”

He brought my hand to his lips, kissing each fingertip. “Fear makes you predictable. Strength makes you dangerous.”

“We also need to discover what Addie and Fenmark learned about the Skathes. Whatever they found may have gotten them captured or killed.”

“Or sent into hiding,” Trew said quietly. “We don’t know what might’ve happened to them.”

The grief in his voice reminded me that Fenmark wasn’t just a missing warrior. He was Trew’s cousin. Family.

“We’ll find them both.”

“And in the meantime, we pretend. I’m Blain Torreth, mercenary guard. You’re Princess Amarissa, dutiful daughter. We’re strangers.”

“I hate that as well.”

“So do I.” He kissed me, nuzzling my neck with his nose. “But it keeps you alive. That’s all that matters.”

A knock at the outer door shattered the moment.

We both froze.

“Your Highness?” Mae called out from the hallway. “Your ladies and I are here to help you bathe and dress.”

Panic flared in my chest. Trew was naked in my bed, his clothing rumpled on the floor, and my staff was about to enter.

“One moment,” I called back, already scrambling out of bed and tugging on a robe, securing the tie at my waist. “Where are Pherin and Gavelle?”

“At the top of the castle.”

Trew moved fast, gathering his clothes and dressing with the speed of a man trained for quick escapes. I watched him transform, tucking the sandy hair into place, settling his expression into cold professionalism.

The man I loved disappeared behind the mask.

He caught me watching and crossed to me in three strides, his hand cupping the back of my neck as he pulled me into a kiss that was desperate and claiming and far too brief.

“Tonight,” he promised against my lips. “I’ll touch you again tonight. While you’re getting ready, I’ll go to the guard’s quarters and wash and dress myself.”