Page 97 of Scourged

Flames licked up Anniliese’s cheeks. “Apologies, My Lords.”

She felt her father’s attention linger on her for a few more moments before he turned back to Lord Shawth.

Lord Hareth was a quiet man, content to follow behind those with greater ambitions than his own, but Anniliese didn’t think he would ever forgive her for her failure at the Choosing.

“Did you enjoy your meal, Lady Anniliese?”

Well, at least she no longer had to sit here in boredom, picking at her lemon tart.

“Yes, Lord Shawth,” she answered, softly clearing her throat. “Thank you, again, for your hospitality and the wonderful meal.” She dipped her head to him, then turned to his wife. “And my thanks to you as well, My Lady.”

The empty woman just smiled back.

“So,” Shawth said, swirling his whiskey. “Have you enjoyed your stay here in Khento? I am sure it is nothing compared to the cliffs of Ettervan, but I do hope you have found it comfortable enough for your liking.”

This is my chance.

“Yes, My Lord. You keep a very beautiful and splendid home. I—we—are honored to have joined you as guests these past months.”

Lord Shawth smiled, nodding once, and leaned back in his chair. He turned back to her father, about to return to their conversation.

“However,” Anniliese said, “there is … something. Just a small inquiry, something that could make things more comfortable for myself. If that’s not too much to ask.” Her father stiffened. Ladies didn’t ask for favors from their hosts. Ladies only offered compliments, only smiled, never spoke out of turn.

For the first time in her life, Anniliese ignored her father, focusing on the Lord of Khento. Shawth’s pale blue eyes had gone cold and calculating, and he took a slow sip from his whiskey.

“Of course, Lady Anniliese. After all, we certainly want all our guests to be comfortable.” The last word was a sneer, but Anniliese chose to ignore it. She swallowed once before pressing on.

“Is there something my father and I should know about the castle? Sometimes when I walk by the northern corridors, something feels … strange. Dark. Malevolent, even. Perhaps I might be permitted to inspect it myself? I’m sure it’s nothing, but I must always be concerned about our safety. I pray you understand.”

The second she heard the words leave her mouth, she knew she shouldn’t have said them. They were improper, intrusive, and accusatory.What am I thinking?

She expected Lord Shawth to explode into a fit of rage at her impropriety.

Instead, he simply set down his glass and smiled. A cold, terrifying smile, his eyes trailing down her body.

“So curious about my private wing, aren’t you, Lady Anniliese? Do you wish to visit my bed? To assist your family by sleeping your way through the lords? I will give it to you—you are a pretty little thing.” He licked his thin lips, and something in Anniliese’s stomach turned. “And with your mild resemblance to our little whore queen, I imagine you would fetch quite a price.” Lord Shawth turned to her father, who wore an expression of horror and indignity.

“Would you sell your daughter to save your family, Lord Hareth? Was this your plan? Seems a little desperate, even for you.”

Anniliese wasn’t even sure where to look. At Lord Shawth, with his hungry, vile expression. At her father, his eyes blown wide with panic and mouth stuttering like a floundering fish. Or at Lady Shawth, empty as ever, her eyes glazed as she watched her husband invite another woman to his bed.

“Please, My Lord,” her father said, choking on his words. “Please forgive my daughter. She is young and curious and forgets her place.” He glared at Anniliese, rage and fear in his eyes. “She will apologize. And from now on, she will remember her manners and hold her tongue before inquiring into the privacy of others.”

Anniliese gaped. Not only had her father declined to defend her from Shawth’s despicable words, but hereprimandedher. There. In front of Shawth and his wife.

Her cheeks burned, her stomach twisting into knots, as she turned to Lord Shawth, her eyes downcast and tears burning behind her lids.

“I apologize, My Lord,” she whispered. “I … I was out of turn. Please forgive me and do not pin my mistakes on my family.”

Lord Shawth tsked. “You are forgiven, Lady Anniliese. But from now on, perhaps you should not invite yourself to places or start conversations you have no intent of seeing through.”

Anniliese dropped her head further, a curtain of dark hair hiding her face from view as she stared at her lap. A single tear fell, landing on her folded hands.

“Stop letting these men run your life as if it wasn’t your own.” Mariah’s words again flitted through her mind.

Not only had she let them do just that, but she was no closer to learning what monstrous nightmare might inhabit the castle with her and her father.

The shame that washed over her and lingered in her mouth for the next week tasted like flame and ash.

---