Page 54 of Of Masks and Fury

Twenty-three names. Eleven days.

My chest tightened.

“Your Highness?” The lead guard’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Are you well?”

I realized I’d slowed, that my face must’ve shown the emotions churning through me.

“I’m fine.” I fanned my face and placed my hand on my brow, playing the delicate princess. “Just tired from the walk. I’m looking forward to going home.”

“Very well, Your Highness.”

We moved faster through the streets, and I forced myself not to look at the notices again. Seeing them wouldn’t change what was written there. It wouldn’t save any of those lives.

But I would. Somehow.

The castle rose ahead, stone walls glowing in the fading light. Home. Prison. The place where my father kept his secrets locked away in forbidden towers.

Where he’d kept Addie.

We passed through the main gate and took the path to the front door, entering the grand foyer. The guards who’d escorted us stopped.

“Thank you for your service today,” I said, giving them a gracious smile. “Please convey my gratitude to my father for his thoughtfulness.”

The head guard bowed. “We’ll report that the excursion was uneventful, Your Highness.”

Uneventful? If only they knew.

I climbed the stairs to my suite with Trew behind me. The performance continued even here, in these familiar corridors.

Only when we’d reached my door did some of my tension ease.

Mae waited inside with my other ladies, rising from her seat near the fireplace as I entered. Her eyes swept over me, assessing, concern written in every line of her face.

“Did you have a pleasant visit to the village, Your Highness?” she asked.

“Very, thank you.” I pulled off my gloves, handing them to one of the other ladies. “The people were kind.”

Mae’s gaze cut to Trew, who’d taken up his position near the door, and a frown bloomed on her face.

“Ladies,” I said, injecting warmth into my voice, “I’d like to rest before dinner. Mae, could you stay? I need your help with something.”

The other ladies curtsied and filed out.

The moment the latch clicked, Trew glanced my way.

I nodded, and he moved, his hands carefully weaving layer after layer of wards. The temperature rose. Pressure built and released, making my ears pop.

Mae went absolutely still, her eyes widening as she glanced around. “Something…is happening. We need to?—”

“Mae,” I said softly.

She turned to me. “Amarissa, what’s going on?”

But before she could ask more, a knock echoed through the door.

Trew opened it.

Lexie stepped inside, dressed in her lady-in-waiting clothing. Kerralyn entered behind her, carrying a full tray that smelled of roasted meat and fresh bread.