Page 29 of Of Masks and Fury

ISI

Pherin landed on my shoulder as we entered through the back door.

Discover anything?I asked.

Want to peck eyes out, but no eyes.

I understood the feeling.

“Thorne has a house,” I whispered to Trew as we walked back through the castle.

We waited for a trio of guards to pass and turn a corner at the end of the hall before continuing.

“It belonged to his mother,” I added. “It’s in the lower part of the village, past the merchant quarter. He inherited it a few years ago, and as far as I know, he never sold it. I don’t believe my father knows anything about it. Thorne was a private person. He didn’t share with many.” Just with me and my sister.

“If he fled with someone, he may have taken her there,” Trew said in an equally soft voice.

“We need to get to that house. They could be there.”

“I believe you should ask your father’s permission,” he said in a stern, bodyguard voice.

After a woman carrying a pile of linens had passed, I lifted my brows his way, but he was right. If I tried to do this without my father’s knowledge and he found out, he’d confine me to my room and never let me out again.

The irony tasted bitter on my tongue as I stood outside my father’s office later that day, Trew silent behind me. The old Amarissa had asked permission for everything. The new Isi chafed at the necessity but understood the game we were playing.

I knocked.

“Enter,” my father called out.

He sat at his desk, a pencil in hand, barely glancing my way as we entered.

Like the day before, I stopped in front of his desk and remained there, struggling not to fidget. Another game of making me wait, reminding me who controlled this castle, this court, and my very existence.

The scratch of his pencil on paper felt like nails raking across my bones.

“What did you truly learn at the cluster, daughter?” he asked suddenly, not looking up.

I swallowed. “Humility and reflection, Father.”

He set down the pencil and looked up. His gaze swept over me before settling on Trew, assessing him with the same cold calculation he used for everything. “What brings you here?”

“I would like permission to visit the village.” I kept my voice light, sweet rather than demanding. “I’ve been away, and I’d need to see how the people are faring.”

His eyes narrowed, and I rushed to continue.

“I thought it would be good to reconnect with the people of Caldrith.” I faked a simpering smile. “To remind myself of who I’m meant to serve.”

He studied me for a long moment, and I sensed he was searching for a lie. A hidden motive.

I gave him nothing.

When his lips twitched upward, cold slithered down my spine. “Of course, daughter. I’m pleased you asked permission.” He leanedback in his chair, linking his fingers over his chest. “You’ll need proper security. The village can be dangerous, especially for someone of your station.”

“Blain will accompany me?—”

“Blain will be a part of the detail I’ll assign.” His voice held a note of finality. “Four additional guards, all men I trust.”

Trew went absolutely still.