Page 76 of Of Masks and Fury

I met Trew’s gaze. This sounded like someone veil-traveling.

“There was nowhere for her to go.”

“But it wasn’t Eva?” I asked.

Mae shook her head. “It was the red-haired woman, though I only saw her from behind before she disappeared. Eva raced down the stairs but it was too late.” She looked up at Trew, then at me, while Kerralyn and Lexie watched, silent. “After it happened, I tried to keep you and Addie safe any way I could. I made sure your food was tested. Watched who came and went from your chambers. But then Addie was sent away, Leo was sent to the reformatory, and you left.” She covered her face with her hands. “I couldn’t protect anyone any longer.”

She’s scared but good,Pherin sent to me.

“You protected us the only way you could,” I said.

“I wish I could do more.”

“The best thing you can do is forget what you heard today.” I gripped her hands. “If anyone asks why you were in here so long, you were helping me recover from last night’s trauma. Understood?”

She nodded. “Of course.”

I had to tell her. I couldn’t withhold this information any longer. But I met Trew’s gaze and blocked my mouth from the others, whispering, “Children.”

Understanding, he nodded.

My throat closed, but I shoved out a breath with my words. “Mae, about Leo.”

She braced herself as if I was about to deliver bad news. “What about my son, my little boy?”

“I can’t tell you much, but I know that he’s safe. I’ve seen him, and he’s being well cared for.”

Mae staggered, and I tugged her into my arms, holding her while she cried, sobs shaking her entire body.

“Thank you for telling me,” she gasped. “I thought he was dead or that someone was hurting him.”

I stroked her hair the way she’d soothed me through the nightmares after my mother was gone. “He’s safe. I promise.” Telling her risked everything, but her loyalty could save us.

Lexie placed a hand on Mae’s shoulder. Kerralyn offered her a handkerchief.

Trew’s gaze remained on the door and windows, always vigilant.

Finally, Mae stepped back, wiping her eyes. She gave me a watery smile. “My boy is alive. He’s safe. No one is hurting him. You don’t know what it means to me to hear this news.” She sniffed and tucked the handkerchief into her pocket, stiffening her spine. “I want to help if I can.”

I frowned. “In what way?”

“What if I listened to the king during meals? I could stand beyond the door, cracking it open.”

“I don’t want you risking yourself.”

“We risk ourselves every day we remain in this court. Please. I want to do something.”

“She could spy—subtly—on the king,” Kerralyn said. “Note who he meets with and what he discusses when he thinks no one’s listening.”

“There are too many guards near his office,” Lexie said. “Don’t even try to get near that location.”

“If you do anything, you need to be careful,” I said. “Don’t take risks that will draw his attention. There are guards everywhere.”

“I can do it,” Mae said, her voice stronger now. She glanced between me, Kerralyn, and Lexie. “I’ve been invisible in this castle for years. No one notices the servants.”

“If you see or hear anything suspicious,” Trew said, “find a way to get word to one of us immediately.”

Kerralyn sheathed her blade and tapped Mae’s arm. “I’m in the kitchens almost all the time. Come and ask for a tray for Isi even if she hasn’t requested one. Give me this signal.” She demonstrated a hand gesture. “I’ll find a way to follow you from the kitchen. We can duck into an empty room, and you can relay your message.”