Page 39 of Of Masks and Fury

“If I can find the time.” She pinched her lips together, a hint of sarcasm edging into her tone.

Leaning back in his chair, he sighed. “What’s gotten into you lately? Those women at the cluster may have suggested you have some say in your life and fates help them if you believed them, but you’re home now, and you’re the princess of this court. I rule this kingdom, including you.”

“Perhaps I am a lot like my mother.”

His sigh rang out. “I miss her, and you’re right. You remind me so much of her. She… was headstrong as well.”

“And you loved her despite that.”

“I did,” he said, his gaze shooting down to his desk.

Isi rose from her chair, giving him a curtsy. “I look forward to visiting with the three lords.”

“Off with you, then. I have work to do.” Reaching into his pocket, he tossed a pouch that jingled onto the desk. “Here’s spending money. Buy yourself something pretty.”

I could tell by the indulgent look on his face that he really meant it. He hurt her, but somewhere inside his warped soul, he cared. No wonder she had a hard time fully turning away from him.

“That’s kind of you, Father.”

He smiled. “You’re a good girl most of the time, and I’m happy to indulge you on occasion, just as I did your mother.”

Isi took the pouch and walked toward the door, her steps steady despite what I knew she must be feeling.

The moment we stepped into the hallway, and the door had closed behind us, a tremor ran through her.

Her composure remained intact, a mask that fooled everyone but me. I knew the precise curve of her spine when she braced herself for pain and recognized the particular rhythm of her steps as she fought to maintain dignity when all she felt was despair. The urge to draw her into an alcove and hold her nearly overwhelmed me.

Instead, I maintained the right distance, my shadow falling behind hers on the marble floor. I was close enough to protect yet too far to comfort.

Every step through the corridors felt like torture. I wanted to take her hand and tell her we’d leave this place soon.

But walls listened. Guards watched. And they’d report anything unusual to her father.

As we passed a shadowed alcove, her fingers brushed mine in a fleeting touch, electric and gone in an instant. Yearning surged through me, deepening the ache.

We reached her suite, and I opened the door, gesturing for her to enter first.

Her usual ladies rose from where they were sitting near the fireplace, but my attention darted across the room.

A new woman stood near the window, her back to us as she examined the view. Her dark hair had been woven into tight braidsthen pulled into a knot at the base of her neck. She wore a deep green gown instead of fighting leathers.

At the sound of the door, she turned, her familiar eyes meeting mine.

“Your Highness,” Lexie said, dropping into a curtsy that was technically correct but lacked the practiced grace of a court-trained servant. “I’m Lexie. I’ve been assigned as your new lady-in-waiting.”

Isi’s eyes widened before she controlled her expression. “How lovely. Welcome.”

Lexie and I exchanged the briefest of nods.

The second part of my plan was now in place.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ISI

Iturned to my ladies with what I hoped was a gracious smile. “I need to rest. Please return in time to help me get ready for dinner. Lexie will remain here with me. I’d like to get to know her better.”

Mae’s hand found my arm, her fingers tight and her gaze searching. Her attention moved between me, Lexie, and Trew, assessing, calculating, the weight of a lifetime’s friendship in that single touch.