Page 271 of Of Masks and Fury

CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE

EPILOGUE

ISI

The Syllavar Court ballroom blazed with light and magic.

I stood near the refreshment table, nodding politely while Lord Erradorn spoke about grain shipments and trade routes. My emerald gown caught the faelights overhead, silver threads winking like captured stars with every breath I took. The fitted bodice hugged my ribs while the skirt flowed around my legs, deceptively elegant despite the hidden slits that allowed for full movement.

I adored the pockets that were deep enough to hold small knives each.

Across the room, Trew’s mouth curved as his gaze tracked the line of my skirt. He’d noticed the weapons immediately, his eyes darkening with approval before he’d pulled me close and whispered exactly what he planned to do with me once he peeled the dress off later.

Lord Erradorn was still talking, saying something about tariffs now.

Warm fingers wrapped around my wrist.

“Forgive the interruption, Lord Erradorn.” Trew appeared at my side, already tugging me away from the conversation. “I need to borrow my wife.”

“But Your Majesty, we haven’t finished discussing the?—”

“Later.” Pure charm and absolute dismissal filled Trew’s smile. He pulled me toward the dance floor while Lord Erradorn sputtered behind us.

I shot my love a look as the musicians struck up a new melody. “You promised to let me handle diplomacy.”

“I promised to support you handling diplomacy.” He spun me into his arms, one hand settling at the back of my waist while the other captured mine and lifted it. “I never promised not to rescue you from being bored to death by it.”

“That man controls three provinces worth of grain stores.”

“Then you can thank me for saving you from an hour of crop rotation discussion.” His fingertips traced circles on my waist, right over the knife hidden in my right pocket. “Besides, you were planning your escape. I could see it in your eyes.”

Heat flooded through our bond, his satisfaction and joy mixing with mine until I couldn’t tell where my feelings ended and his began. The connection had only grown stronger in the three months since we’d sealed the veil, the double bond thrumming between us like a second heartbeat.

Trew pulled me close as we moved through the steps. This wasn’t the rigid formal dancing I’d learned in Caldrith, but something fluid and intimate, our bodies finding rhythm together the same way they did in training. In bed. And in every moment we chose each other.

Swooning,Pherin said. My minxpip perched on the chandelier overhead beside Gavelle, watching the festivities below.Dance like fools in love.

We are fools in love,I sent back.And so are you two.

Her chirp of agreement made Gavelle nuzzle her wing, and their contentment rippled through the bond to mingle with ours. Gavelle had completely healed. He’d spent two weeks favoring the wing before Pherin lost patience and chased him around the aerie until he used it properly. Trew had watched the whole thing with anexpression I’d never seen on him before, something between horrified and desperately fond.

The ballroom had been transformed for tonight’s celebration. White camellias from Trew’s garden cascaded from every available surface, their petals glowing softly with magic he’d woven into them while they grew. Other flowers I didn’t recognize added splashes of color, blues and purples and deep crimsons that pulsed with gentle light.

And the people. Warriors in formal attire mixed freely with castle staff, merchants, and citizens from the surrounding villages. We’d insisted on no separation between ranks or status, just shared celebration. A woman who’d been condemned to die on the Day of Mercy months ago laughed with the guard who’d once stood watch at her cell. A young man conjured small illusions, making a cluster of children laugh.

This was what we’d fought for. What we’d bled for.

“You’re thinking too hard.” Trew’s breath warmed my ear as he turned us in a circle. “I can feel it through the bond.”

“I’m thinking about how perfect this is.”

“Liar.” His hand flexed on my waist. “You’re cataloguing exits and potential threats.”

I was doing that as well. Old habits never faded, and knowing where the doors were kept me grounded when rooms got too full and celebrations too loud.

“Both things can be true,” I said.

He dipped his forehead to meet mine, his golden eyes holding my gaze while we swayed together. “Let me think the strategic thoughts for once. You just feel.”