Page 34 of The War and Deceit Series omnibus

Caught unaware, I blink but glance at the library around us, answering honestly as a small smile graces my face again. “I’ve never seen anything as magical. It’s beautiful.”

“I like this one. She’s much better than the simpering fools that usually follow you around.” Jacob makes a startled sound at her backhanded compliment, which I’m sure is her way of testing me out.

“Annalise!” Jacob barks, his voice sharp, but I stop him with a gentle hand on his chest.

“I like this one,” I tell him, repeating Annalise’s words, tilting my head to the side as if examining her closely. “She tells the truth unlike the other simpering fools who have tried to get your attention today.” Annalise chuckles as she winks at me, reaching forward and capturing my hand in hers.

“You and I are going to get on well.”

After meeting Annalise, Jacob takes me on a tour of the library. I can feel his gaze on me as I walk slowly beside him, my eyes wide with awe, fingers trailing over the spines of some of the books. I love it here. The hushed, comfortable quiet, only able to hear the whisper of turning pages, the scribble of pen on paper, and the muted voice of Annalise at the front desk. Even the smell of the books is comforting, like it’s triggering an old memory at the corner of my mind, but not quite enough for it to come fully.

We spend the rest of the afternoon in the library, just exploring the hidden coves and treasures, before the sunset bell tolls to indicate the evening meal. Jacob walks me back to Grayson’s rooms, and as we reach the door we both pause awkwardly. I don’t know how these things usually go, should I curtsy, or—

“Thank you for making my dull afternoon all the more interesting, Clarissa.”

“I enjoyed myself, thank you for showing me the library. I loved it.”

“Good.” He smiles and I can tell he wants to say more, but for whatever reason he holds his tongue and starts to walk away.

“Wait!” I call out, the echo of urgency from earlier still ringing through my mind. He turns, a hopeful expression on his face. “Remember what I told you earlier.”

His face darkens at the memory, but he nods, taking my hand in his and raising it up to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss against the skin there.

“Good night, Clarissa.”

Iwake the next morning with a feeling of dread. I’m to work for the priests again today. Yesterday had been one of the best days of my life, a day where I didn’t just exist, but actuallylived. I’m still not sure what to make of Jacob. He’s not at all what I expected. In public he always seems so removed from everything that’s going on around him, or he’s lost in a book. However, when he was showing me around the library, I saw someone who was playful and kind. As soon as we had left and were in public, he returned to the more distant prince I’ve heard whispers about.

Grayson had retired to his rooms late, so late he missed the evening meal, but Jayne kept me company. He was in a dark mood when he did finally return and had simply bid me good night before retreating to his bedroom. I went to bed myself after that, but I hadn’t slept well, the combination of the soft mattress and dreams of Priest Rodrick laughing as his guards beat me and the elf watching with dark, furious eyes.

Getting out of bed, I pick out a book at random off the small bookshelf that is built into the wall of my room and curl up onthe bay window seat. I flick through the pages, tracing some of the words with my fingers. I can’t read, but I make up my own stories, and I am completely lost in a world of my own making when Jayne comes to help me dress for the day. Garbed in the same simple, but well-made dress I had worn the day before last, I sit in front of the mirror as Jayne brushes through my dark, straight hair.

Ready for the day, I walk into the dining room, finding Grayson already sitting at the table, reading a stack of papers with a serious expression.

“Good morning,” I say softly, not waiting for him to look up before taking my seat opposite him at the table, helping myself to porridge with a spoonful of honey. Looking up from whatever he’s reading, his face seems to darken even more as he sees me in my maid dress. It’s nicer than anything the maids wear, but it’s what I’ve come to call the simple, well-made outfit, as everything else he has me dressed in exudes wealth.

“Morning. How are you feeling today?” he asks, keeping his voice carefully neutral, but I get the impression he’s wearing one of his masks again, as his eyes spark with anger.

“Fine,” I mutter, as I stir my porridge absentmindedly. “I’m working for the priests again today?” I already know the answer, but I have to check, trying not to look as disappointed as I feel as I see him nod out of the corner of my eye. We fall into silence as he sips his coffee, watching me as I take a small spoonful of my breakfast. I’m not really hungry, my stomach churning with nerves, and Grayson’s foul mood only makes it all the more unappetising.

“If you would tell me what they have you doing, I might be able to do something to help,” he probes, his voice dangerously calm, but I simply shake my head, not meeting his eyes.

“I can’t.” He makes a noise of displeasure before turning back to his papers. We sit in awkward silence as I play with my food and he pretends not to watch me as he drinks his coffee.

“I heard that you spent the day with Prince Jacob yesterday.” This time my gaze does shoot up, and I see his eyes narrow as he notices my reaction. Tilting his head, I can’t help but compare his expression to that of a predator stalking their next meal, exceptI’mthe meal.

“Yes?” The word is light, innocent, but why don’t I feel that way? I’ve done nothing wrong, simply been shown parts of the castle by one of the princes, yet Grayson is making me feel like I’m guilty of something.

“You should be careful, the princes are not to be trusted.” His comment is interesting. As one of the high magicians, he serves the king and princes, so to state they can’t be trusted is a bold and dangerous thing to say. Taking a sip of water from my glass, I avoid his intense gaze again, shrugging my shoulders slightly.

“I’m still learning who I should and shouldn’t trust.”

Grayson makes a pained noise and I look up to see an expression I can’t quite work out. It looks like anger and betrayal mixed into one before he quickly wipes it away into that mask of cool anger.

“I hope that wasn’t aimed at me.” When I don’t respond, I see a crack appear in his mask as he puts down his cup, leaning toward me. “You know you can trust me, right? I rescued you from execution!”

“I know—” I try to explain, my feelings tangled in my chest as I attempt to sort through my insecurities, but he cuts me off before I have the chance.

“Remember who their father is, that he enslaved you and ordered your death.” His voice is cold and cruel now, much like how I had imagined him to be, every inch the high magician. As if I need reminding, I know that every breath I take is onborrowed time. I shouldn’t be alive, it’s only by the grace of the Great Mother that I am still here. My whole life changed in the space of minutes, and I’m still half convinced that I’m in a dream and I’ll wake any moment with those hated chains around my ankles.

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