Page 19 of Beyond Those Gilded Walls

She hummed. “I suppose the schedule does take some getting used to. Well, in any case, it’s time to go. But this room is yours. Remember that.”

“I will, thank you.” I followed her to the doorway. Beside the door was a key hanging from a nail. I’d not seen it before, but then again, I’d been preoccupied. Taking the key, I locked the door behind us as we left, noting the satisfied smile on Zaharya’s face.

ChapterTen

Ihad once thought there was no greater torture than having to listen to the parties from my bedroom window.

I was mistaken.

Those Prince Eadric had pulled into the castle were abhorrent people, and I was quickly realizing why Talyssa carried herself as she did. Far better to be ignored by these monsters than to catch their attention. They thrived on lording themselves over even one another. I could hardly fathom what would happen when one of us landed in their sights.

Tonight’s shroud was a dusky purple, the color the evening sky had been before the red mist settled in over Veressia. My marks were more visible through the sheer material than they had been last night, but Zaharya had left my hair down, hoping the dim lights and the soft waves of my hair would disguise the marks enough.

The taste of smoke and ash was constant on my tongue as I wove through the crowd, offering drinks and removing empty glasses. It was difficult, through the purple haze of the shroud, to tell who was a solid figure and who was a Soulshade, and three times now, I’d found myself offering a drink to a spirit. Now, those three Soulshades followed me around the party, floating aimlessly behind me as I walked.

Thankfully, it seemed no one had noticed. With all the people, even though I’d offered the tray to a Soulshade, a human had ended up taking a drink from it.

“Yes, yes, Prince Eadric would never let your daughter suffer like that.” My ears caught on the conversation of two of the partygoers. One, a tall blond male with a white waistcoat and pants, both adorned with gold buttons and topped with a gold filigreed mask, and a woman in a pale blue dress with a silver mask in the shape of wings across her eyes. “You know he would give you the treatment before her time runs out. You must trust in him.”

Purple clouded my vision, yet all I could see was red. The blood of my mother, covering her face and my hands. The mist over the city, oppressive and damning.

The shroud was more suffocating than ever, clinging to the sweat that had begun to bead on my forehead. My fingers tightened around the edges of the tray in my hands and my entire existence tunneled until it was focused on the couple. Their words echoed in my ears, ringing like a bell toll through my mind. A treatment existed, andthe prince had it.

I took a step towards them, intent on listening more. I hovered as they continued speaking, offering the nearly empty tray to any who passed, though my eyes and ears were fixed firmly on the two in front of me.

“What do you think he will ask for it?” the male said, fidgeting with the buttons on his coat. “I am starting to run low on funds since we arrived here.”

“I’m sure it will not be unreasonable.” The woman set her hand upon the man’s arm.

“He—” The man noticed me and his entire presence changed. His shoulders rolled back, a frown grew across his face, and he drew himself up to his full height as he closed the three or four steps between us to invade my space. His boots tugged on the ends of my dress. “Why are you eavesdropping, worthless servant?”

I bit my tongue before I could defend myself, remembering all the instructions not to speak. Instead, I shook my head, lowering my eyes and holding the tray out slightly.

“No, you werelistening to us,” he snarled. His meaty hand wrapped around my wrist, shoving me back away from him.

I lost my balance, and my stomach swooped, knowing I had done the one thing Zaharya had warned me not to: drawn attention to myself. I heard the hem of my dress rip from where it was still caught beneath the man’s boot and I stumbled more, only to immediately bump into someone’s shoulder. Or rather,theybumped into me. The world seemed to slow as my feet got tangled up in the fabric and I watched as the tray began to tilt.

Before it fell, a large, gloved hand reached out to snatch it from my hands, the other gloved hand catching my elbow and guiding me upright. Even through the gloves, I felt the warmth of the contact, so unlike the cold anger of the other man who’d pushed me.

The immediate vicinity had gone silent, the couple I’d been focused on included, and the partygoers stared. My eyes were level with a broad chest, and I was almost scared to look up and see who I’d collided with. But slowly, I raised my eyes, only to be met with a familiar smirk.

My heart was pounding against my rib cage. This man, whoever he was, was clearly important given the quiet whispers and full-blown stares he was receiving. He held my tray out and I quickly took it from him, bowing my head slightly. Our hands brushed against the other and I watched his eyes widen behind his mask. Whispers erupted behind us, but I could not focus enough to make the words out. He seemed startled that I’d touched him, and I wondered for a moment if this oversight, yet another one tonight, would get me killed.

As I moved to pull away, his hand tightened around the tray, flexing against mine.

“Thank you,” I muttered, keeping my eyes firmly on the silver buttons of his jacket and not on the strong jawline emphasized by his mask. I tugged on the tray gently, trying to get him to give it back so I could disappear into the background like I was meant to.

More whispers struck up behind me.

The skull-masked man’s jaw clenched as his eyes tracked some movement behind me. The smirk was entirely erased now, only a neutral expression in its place. One that was so neutral, I knew it had been crafted intentionally.

I swallowed hard. Gods above, now I’d done it. I would never be able to find the treatment to save my brothers. Not if I was dead.

He raised his hand, and my body reacted on pure instinct. I flinched, ducking my head and curling in on myself as my eyes squeezed shut. I should have kept them open to see when the strike would land, but I couldn’t bring myself to watch his hand fly towards me. My body was tense, waiting for the blow, but it never came.

“Stop it,” the man hissed, low enough that I barely heard him.

Opening my eyes, I straightened, pulling my shoulders down away from my ears.

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