Page 57 of Of Masks and Fury

“He’ll choose for me.” The words came out flat, but less hopeless than before. “Probably Crestin. He’s the most politically advantageous match.”

“We need to make sure it never comes to that,” Kerralyn said.

I nodded, the dread in my belly now mixed with a spark of defiance.

“I should go,” Lexie said, standing.

“Me too.” Kerralyn got up as well. “I was supposed to deliver your snack and return to my sink full of dishes. Probably two sinks now. They dirty a lot of dishes here.”

They headed to the door.

I followed, hugging them both.

“We can do this,” Lexie whispered.

Kerralyn nodded.

They left, and it was just Trew and me.

He checked the wards, strengthening them with fresh magic.

When he finished, he crossed to where I stood by the door and pulled me into his arms. “Now that Lexie has left, I can’t stay long.”

We couldn’t do anything that might draw my father’s attention.

“I can’t believe my father hurt Addie,” I said. “She was suffering while I?—”

“Stop.” He tugged me close. “You didn’t know. You couldn’t have known.”

“I should’ve suspected.”

“How could you? I would’ve done the same thing.”

Tipping my head back, I looked up at him. “Would you?”

“Nothing would’ve held me back.” His lips curled up on one side before smoothing. “I would’ve done something that got me killed by now.”

“I’m so glad you didn’t.”

His lips quirked up before smoothing. “Honestly, me too.”

We stood there, holding each other. Outside, the castle settled into its regular routine. Servants moved through corridors. Guards changed shifts. Life continued as if the world wasn’t fracturing beneath our feet.

Finally, I stepped back. “Go. My ladies will return to help me dress for dinner soon. Not that I could eat much, but my father will expect me there, as will my suitors.”

His jaw tightened. “I’ll be there. Watching.”

“That might make it worse.”

“Probably.” His mouth quirked. “But I’ll be there anyway.”

I rose on my toes and kissed him.

He kissed me back with the same desperate heat, his hands tightening on my waist.

Pherin chirped a warning from the window, and I heard footsteps in the hall.

We broke apart, both breathing hard.