Chapter 31
31
H and in hand, we walked up the castle drive together. I couldn’t hold back the warmth in my soul at the thought of meeting with King Aldus again. He’d been so friendly when we met at Lithe, and though tonight would be a test of our fictional marriage, his kind eyes and belly laugh were something to look forward to. And of course, Farris would interfere, as was his standard, stepping right into my trap.
Marble columns soared overhead, supporting an intricately carved art piece depicting scenes from what I assumed was Stirling’s history. Ghostly faces stretched out of the stone, as if held behind sheer fabric. I couldn’t imagine the time and skill it must have taken to create such detailed artwork. But none of the Silk hustling into the palace looked up. None were in awe, or even aware of the tiny details. The veins on the leaves etched into the stone. The texture on the hooves of horses and points on the tips of the spears.
Liveried servants bowed low as we passed. I wondered if they lived up here on the hilltop, or if they walked every day to serve their king. Or, as I noticed the silver emblems on their chests, were they actually working for the prince.
I’d thought through everything I might say to Farris. How I might lead him to talk about other worlds without knowing why. How I might distract him from the truth by dangling just enough information about the Lord of the Salt to pique his interest. I hated to do it, but I needed to. Because if Thorne wasn’t holding the keys to a door, then his secrets were the currency I needed.
Thorne’s presence was magnetic. His hand drifted to rest possessively on the small of my back as we made our way through the palace. Every heartbeat, every step felt like a betrayal. And he had no idea what I intended to do. How I might unmask him if it came to that. My stomach felt uneasy about it, but I just had to believe this was the path. Still, I’d never be able to look at myself in the mirror again. I was setting myself up for the ultimate betrayal. But what choice did I have with only fifty something days left? Maybe even forty, depending on how many days the Maw had stolen from me.
The sound of a violin drifted from somewhere in the hall, low and mournful, wrapping around me like smoke. Each note pulled tighter, like strings wound around my ribs, squeezing until I could hardly breathe, setting me on edge. Preparing me to fall.
Thorne watched, gauging every flicker of my expression as if he wasn’t sure I could keep the mask in place. But he was wrong. I had no intention of breaking our facade, even with my questions for the prince. I’d still be Thorne’s wife, a cunning thief’s wife. But I was confident I could lead Farris through the conversation without revealing everything. Only enough to barter a trade. I’d seen enough deals made with fine print. I just needed to walk him into the trap first.
Thorne’s hand, warm and firm, was the only thing keeping me grounded, and yet it felt like a weight around me, circling me with his trust. Trust he’d given without question. Which was undoubtedly the most foolish decision of his life.
He shifted, sliding his fingers across the small of my back. The heat of his touch seeped through the thin silk of my gown, branding my skin until I was hyper aware of him, of the danger coiled in his large frame, the subtle tension thrumming just beneath the surface as if he commanded the room and not the royals.
As we crossed into the grand vestibule, the music changed, a haunting melody echoed off the grand walls as a hush fell over the crowd. Guests turned, eyes tracking us, the whispers rising in our wake like the rustle of leaves in an autumn breeze. I lifted my chin, meeting their curious stares with a cool, unruffled gaze as if nothing could touch me, not even the truth gnawing at my chest. Let them look. Let them wonder. Let them see. Tonight, I would be untouchable. Fully Thorne’s and nothing else, as far as they were concerned.
Thorne’s hand was steady, grounding. He moved us through the crowd, nodding to familiar faces, exchanging brief words with acquaintances. I caught glimpses of faces I vaguely recognized from Lithe and the Parlor. Wealthy merchants, minor nobles. That was about it. There were far more strangers, men and women draped in sumptuous fabrics and glittering jewels, their eyes sharp and assessing behind painted smiles.
The whole world was watching. But his grip on me remained gentle yet unyielding. I glanced up, catching the look in his eyes, a calm confidence I didn’t deserve. The music shifted, rising in an elegant crescendo, a perfect backdrop for deceit. It should’ve given me courage. Instead, it felt like a warning, sinking into me, telling me to stop, to pull back. But I couldn’t. I needed that information. And after tonight, I’d have to leave.
Even if it shattered him.
The ballroom wasn’t full. There weren’t enough people to get lost in a crowd, which was unfortunate, because it meant everyone stood out. Everyone had a reason to keep the prince’s attention. And maybe he’d meant for that. But I needed privacy with him.
“Those are the gods,” Thorne whispered, lifting his chin to a group of stunning people, practically glowing as they shut out the room and spoke only to each other. “Try not to focus on them. We don’t need the added attention tonight.”
I nodded, unbothered by gods when the room was peppered with Cimmerians. But Thorne’s firm grip on my hand was steadfast. The way he subtly placed himself between me and each of them as we moved was the smallest gesture that planted itself within the trenches of my heart. He knew my fear, my trauma. He knew it and would not see me falter because of it. And I was an awful person for what I was willing to do to him.
The prince, with his dark hair slicked back and a band of ceremonial medals across his chest, stood in a far corner, speaking to a small group gathered around him. He smiled and chattered as if he weren’t ordering the torture of his people within the catacombs of his city. As if the warmth in his father’s castle spread throughout their kingdom and there were no sick men dying in the alleys or children starving in the streets.
“How can he just stand there and smile?”
I hadn’t realized I’d said it aloud until Thorne answered. “Careful, wife. This is a dangerous place to lose your composure.”
I moved to stand before him, placing my hands on his broad chest, sliding them up until they gripped the lapels of his jacket. “I disagree, lover. I think this is the perfect place.”
His jaw tightened. His breath shortened. He stared down at me with that dimpled smile and it might as well have swept me away with it. Smoothing a thumb over my bottom lip, he stared for a moment, long enough for my heart to begin racing. “Gods, you’re a ravishing little menace.” His voice was low, reverent, like he was saying a prayer meant only for me.
The air between us thickened as his thumb lingered, tracing my lip with a touch so gentle it was maddening.
I blinked, trying to break the spell with a whisper. “If you keep looking at me like that, I might forget we’re pretending.”
He leaned in closer until his lips grazed my earlobe. “Then forget.”
The world outside faded. There was only Thorne, only his breath falling down my neck. His hand cupped my cheek, tilting my face upward, and the promise in his eyes set my skin on fire. He had no idea that behind each of his movements, he was begging me not to betray him and my resolve was waning. I was growing weak for him.
“I don’t want to forget,” I whispered, with no conviction at all.
But he only smiled and shifted away. “Liar.”
“So, this is your new, mysterious wife?” A woman sauntered toward us, dripping in jewels and fine silks, ripping us away from a moment I needed. She took a long drag from her cigarette, exhaling the smoke in a lazy plume as her piercing gaze raked over me from head to toe. “How lovely to finally meet you, Paramour. I’ve heard so many rumors. None true, I’m sure.”
“I’m sure,” I repeated, face natural as I looked down my nose at her.
“Paesha darling, meet Lady Selia Berch,” Thorne said smoothly, his hand wrapping around my waist as he pulled me to his side. “An old acquaintance.”
Selia arched one perfectly manicured brow, her ruby red lips curving into a smirk. “Is that what we’re calling it these days?”
Thorne stiffened. “That’s what we called it those days too, Selia.”
She threw her head back and laughed, swatting his chest. “Of course, I’m only teasing. Always so serious, Thorne Noctus.”
She turned her eyes to me again, tapping her long cigarette on a passing tray with no regard for the drinks. “So, Paramour. You seem to have appeared from nowhere. What’s your story? Spare me no details.”
I leaned into Thorne, molding my body to his side as I fixed Selia with a cool smile. “There’s not much to tell, really. Just a simple girl swept off her feet by a dashing stranger. You know how these love stories go. A few kisses later and he couldn’t keep his hands off me. The rest is history.”
I reached up to straighten Thorne’s red tie, my fingers lingering on the silk as we locked eyes. His hand tightened on my hip, pulling me impossibly closer. His heart beat strong and steady beneath my palm. “Not history. Eternity, my darling.”
Selia’s eyes narrowed as they darted between us, taking in our intimate posture, the way we gravitated towards each other. Something ugly flashed across her face, there and gone in an instant, replaced by a brittle smile. “How charming. Young love is so precious, isn’t it?” She sighed wistfully, flicking ash from her cigarette again. “Enjoy it while it lasts, my dear. The shine tends to wear off rather quickly around here.” She looked at the clock. “That’s odd. I thought we’d be seated for dinner already.”
“His Royal Highness is not here yet, Lady Berch. Or hadn’t you noticed?”
The small gasp that caught in my throat was muffled by Selia’s screech. “Your Grace, I hadn’t heard you approach.”
Neither had I. And that was rare for me. Though again, something felt off about my power. A reminder that Wisteria was not like Requiem. It was muffled in a strange way. But also imbalanced. I’d felt him coming from so far away on that rooftop, and here, he’d snuck up on us.
“Remind me not to invite you to the Hunt,” he chuckled, snagging a glass off a nearby tray as those dark eyes slid to where Thorne held me pressed against him. “Paramour. Lovely of you to join us. I believe there were bets as to whether your husband was going to finally let you out of the house.”
I had to think beyond the fear thrumming through my veins. Suddenly, his nearness reminded me how callous he was. How he’d ripped a man’s tongue from his mouth in front of his whole kingdom. And he was hunting magic. Could he sense my power? I couldn’t help what little escaped when I touched new things. It was automatic for me. I tried to hold as still as possible, not even shifting my feet along the floor as I answered. “Good evening, Your Grace.” I managed a small curtsy, considering my words. “I’m afraid it’s me keeping my husband tied up at home, rather than the other way around.”
“Chains or cuffs?” Farris asked, not missing a beat.
“Your Grace,” Thorne said with a dip of his chin, pressing his fingers into my back as if he knew I’d answer that question with a reckless answer. It took so little effort to reach around and pinch his fingers. No one noticed, except him, of course. “I believe my wife was using a figure of speech.”
“Pity for you,” the prince replied, hardly looking at Thorne’s face as he returned his attention to me. “How have you found our city? Similar to home? Vercant, was it?”
“Misby,” I corrected, fully aware of his test and the eyes that fell on us, the silence of the room listening in.
He snapped his fingers. “That’s right. You know these Silks. Sometimes they gossip so much the details are muddled.”
“I can imagine it’s hard to keep up with so many people and so many places, don’t you think, my darling?” I swung my focus to Thorne, batting heavy lashes as I looked his way. I didn’t expect to be so taken aback when he smiled down at me. Nor to be lost in a moment, right there in front of the crowd waiting for us to slip, confident we were lying. But he’d never looked at me like that. He truly was a master at disguising himself. No wonder they could never catch the Lord of the Salt. His masks were flawlessly applied.
“Indeed, my love. The endless sea of faces can be quite overwhelming. The key is to let one steal all your focus.”
“Are you calling me a thief in front of our prince?” I asked, a single subtle hint.
“Only of hearts.”
I turned back to the prince, a coy smile playing on my lips. “Misby is a beautiful city, Your Grace, but it pales in comparison to Stirling. The architecture, the fashion, it’s all so captivating. I bet one could travel the realms and never see another place quite like this one.”
“I’m certain there are many parts you’ve yet to see.” His gaze dropped from my eyes to my chest and lingered too long, pinning me beneath his gaze. Two of the Cimmerians moved as one. As if it’d been planned. Stepping closer and closer. The sound of their breaths behind the masks yanking me into my nightmares. I tried to fight the panic by clearing my throat. The prince reached forward, gripping my hand.
Thorne stiffened beside me. His fingers tightened, digging into my hip.
“This is such a simple ring. Not at all what I expected from you, Noctus.”
There was something odd about the way he held my palm. Something dark and dangerous about the way his eyes found mine again, searching yet strange. “Do you have magic, Paramour? I’m sorry, it’s Paesha, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I mean no. But yes.”
He lifted a brow.
“I don’t have magic. I used to wish for it when I was a child, of course. How incredible it must be for you. But sadly, that was not a blessing I was gifted. You were right about the name, though. I’m impressed. You must have a perfect memory.”
Prince Farris’s hand was uncomfortably hot against my skin, his grip just a little too tight to be polite. His dark eyes bored into mine with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine, despite the warmth of the crowded ballroom.
“No, not quite. Let’s speak again soon. Find me after dinner. I find you… interesting.”
He withdrew immediately. The Cimmerians that’d gotten far too close took a step back. I couldn’t figure out why. What’d happened? But relief melted over me all the same.
I couldn’t ignore the way my skin crawled. Couldn’t fight the sound of those fucking chains echoing in my mind. I couldn’t escape the trauma of the Maw. Suddenly, my palms were sweating, my heart racing. Sheer panic threatened to swallow me whole until Thorne’s capable fingers began to swirl on my back. His presence calming me. Steadying me. As if he knew when my dreams weren’t filled with Quill’s face, they were haunted by the carved masks and my own blood. The lullaby of my death, playing on repeat.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” I said with as much poise as I could, bowing again to the prince as he walked away.
A conversation with him was exactly what I’d come here hoping for, but the longer I stood before him, the more I realized there was absolutely no way I’d be opening myself up to Farris. If Thorne wasn’t worth my secrets, the prince wasn’t worth an ounce of my time.
But the man who was? The one that might know more about this kingdom than anyone else with ties to Farris, but also every other path throughout his kingdom… was the king. My last hope.
What had he called me? A kindred spirit amongst the monsters. There was something about him. Something that felt safe, even in the trenches of Serene’s dark temple. Surely, we could talk tonight. Maybe I could even convince him to help me without having to give away the existence of the Fray, the identity of the Lord of the Salt, the Hollow, all of it. But maybe he should know there were people out there serving his kingdom, when he wasn’t.
My heart began to race, rejuvenating me as I realized this was the obvious answer all along and I’d been so blinded by the people around me to see it. The Lord of the Salt had taken me to Lithe. Reverius’s path began there. That’s what Alastor was trying to hint at. It was where I’d met the prince, and where I met the king. He was the next step. I knew it as confidently as I knew my own name.
I just needed to find a way to get him alone. To create a distraction. Maybe the Lord of the Salt had come to King Aldus Wendale’s dinner after all, he just needed a small introduction.