Page 42 of Of Masks and Fury

The possibility made my hands shake. I set down my cup before I could drop it.

Trew came over to settle beside me, close enough that I felt the warmth of him, the solid presence that had become my anchor. His hand found mine, weaving our fingers together. His thumb stroked my palm, a silent promise.

I explained about Thorne’s house and our plan to go there tomorrow.

“Her father assigned four guards to escort us.” Trew’s jaw tightened, frustration bleeding through his careful control. “Four witnesses to every move we make.” His hand curled into a fist on his thigh.

“I’ll take care of the guards,” Lexie said with a casual flick of her hand.

“How?” I asked. “They’ll report everything back to him.”

“Leave it to me.” Lexie’s slick smile rose. “I’ve got a plan. What else is happening here that we need to know about?”

“There are other prisoners, people accused of using magic down in the dungeon,” I said. “They’ll be killed on the Day of Mercy in eleven days.” My voice hardened. “We’re going to free all of them.”

Lexie nodded. “Of course we are.”

I also told her that my father had told me I must choose a husband from among my suitors within the same timeframe or he’d choose for me, and how he was gathering an army to attack Syllavar.

Pherin stole a honey cake twice her size, dragging it across the table while chirping. It tumbled off the edge as a sharp knock sounded at the door.

Lexie and I froze.

Trew left the sofa, his hand on his sword. He opened the door to find two guards in the hall. They peered into the room.

“You’re not allowed to be alone with the princess inside her chambers,” one growled.

My father's standing order was being enforced.

Lexie stood and sashayed over to stand between Trew and the guards. “As you can see, the princess is not alone.” She stared down her nose at them. “Iam one of her ladies-in-waiting.Iam also with her at this time.” She pointed down the hall. “Go or I’ll summon the court advisors to chastise you.”

They blinked fast before their gazes flickered between Trew and I.

Lexie swung the door shut, slamming it in their faces.

“It sure is hard to find decent guards nowadays, isn’t it?” Lexie strutted back over to sit beside me. She raised her teacup in a toast. “To treason.”

Trew’s laugh rumbled through the room as he returned and lifted his own cup. “I’ll drink to that.”

Pherin, ripping away at a honey cake, paused to peep in agreement.

CHAPTER TWELVE

ISI

When we reached the foyer, four guards waited, standing at attention, their hands resting on sword hilts, studying us as we arrived.

This wasn’t protection. It was surveillance.

Pherin shifted on my shoulder, her tiny claws pricking through the fabric of my gown. To anyone watching, she appeared to be a sweet little bird, a pet with her head tilted in that endearing way only small creatures could do. But tension filled her small body, the coiled readiness of a predator.

No trust,she said in my mind.

Wise.

That me. Wise.

Trew maintained the perfect distance behind me, his disguised face showing nothing, but I sensed him cataloging the guards and potential threats.