Page 85 of The War and Deceit Series omnibus

“I heard another rumour. That a kind lady in a deep blue dress helped a servant when the glasses on his tray were smashed.” She’s still pressed against me, so her voice is muffled, but I know what she’s getting at. Wincing, I loosen my arms and face her.

“Ah, you heard?”

If this rumour is going around the castle, it won’t be long until everyone knows what I did, and when I’m trying to blend in, that is not good.Come on, Clarissa, start thinking before you act, otherwise it will be you eating the poisoned chocolate next,I chide myself, blowing out a frustrated breath.

“Don’t panic, they don’t know who you are, I worked out it was you from the description. Besides, I don’t know of many ladies who would stop to help a servant.” Her words do comfort me some, but if she worked it out, others could too. I’m one ofthe only ladies I’ve seen walking around in the magician’s deep blue, so while Grayson did me a favour by claiming me, it’s also made assimilating so much harder.

My whole body is aching from the long day of labour down in the underground forge, and then the evening event, but I feel far more emotionally exhausted. I hadn’t realised that was a thing until Grayson gave me this new life and introduced me to so many new emotions and feelings. Walking over to the bed, I sit on the edge and remove my shoes, rubbing at my swollen ankles. Although the flat shoes are far more comfortable than those heels Jayne tried to get me to wear, they still rub at my feet since I’m so used to walking barefoot. Jayne is watching me, clutching a cloak in her hands, and I give her a questioning look.

“Why are you here anyway?” It might sound rude, but thankfully she doesn’t take it that way, stepping forward with a determined look.

“I had to check you were okay, and I wanted to let you know a couple of the servants with young children are going to try and escape tonight, I told them what you told me.” My eyes go round. I had forgotten that was tonight. Another thought hits me and I round on her. “Don’t worry, I was careful!” she insists, as if reading my mind. I hadn’t wanted to tell Jayne in case she got caught up in all this. I would never forgive myself if she was hurt because of me, but I also had to offer her a way out if she ever wanted or needed it. Besides, if I die, someone else will need to help people escape.

Another thought comes to me and I jump up from the bed, slipping the blasted shoes onto my feet and turning to address the maid.

“I need to go and ensure they get there safely.”

“I thought you might say that,” she says with a smile, handing me the cloak in her hands. It’s dark, plain, and long enough to cover my dress. I dart forward, drawing her into aquick hug. Surprised, she laughs and squeezes me back as I pull away and put on the cape.

“Thank you.” Beaming at her, I turn to the mirror and see the cloak has fully covered my dress, and when I pull up the hood, my face is fully hidden. As soon as I walked back into my room, the magic on my hair dissolved, leaving me with my natural inky locks that blend into the shadows the hood creates.

“Be careful,” Jayne cautions, as she fusses with the cloak, brushing down the fabric and making sure it fully covers me. “I’ll wait for you to return, otherwise I’ll never be able to sleep tonight.”

Nodding, I reach out and squeeze her arm once before hurrying out of the room. It’s nearly time, and I need to make sure they get away safely.

Admit it, you want to see Tor again too.The thought comes out of nowhere, and I shake my head as I enter the dark, empty corridor. It’s late, and now that the event in the great hall is over, most people have returned to their rooms here or their homes back in the city. I don’t see anyone as I quickly make my way to the Queen’s Courtyard, not even any of the servants.

Did they get caught on their way here?I panic, worried that the plan has fallen apart already.No, don’t jump to conclusions. Trust in the Mother.Taking a deep breath, I enter the courtyard, immediately feeling calmer at the soft sounds of the water fountains. As inconspicuously as possible, I look around to make sure I’ve not been followed before making my way over to the far fountain.

Tor is here, I can feel it in that pull in my chest, and the closer I get, the harder the pull becomes. Suddenly, a hand appears out of nowhere, and I’m pulled into the shield and crashing into a hard chest. Gasping at the impact, I stare at the warm chest I’m pressed against before a very male laugh gets my attention. I look up and see an amused Tor, his eyes twinkling with mischief.Quickly pulling away, I turn, trying to hide my blush in the hood of my cloak.

“I didn’t think I’d see you tonight.” His timbre is low, and as his voice grows louder, I can tell he’s getting closer, like he’s unable to stay away. My heart does this strange flutter as he speaks, so I rub my chest, hoping it fades.

“I almost didn’t come.” Shrugging, I take another step away, needing some space from his intensity. He’s silent, and after a minute or so, I peer over my shoulder and see he’s still watching me. I turn back around, and he smiles and closes the gap between us, raising a hand and pushing back my hood. He threads his fingers into my black hair and frowns at the dark strands, and I can tell he wants to ask me something but he’s hesitating.

“What’s wrong?”

“I heard some of the servants talking about bodies in the great hall. What was that about?” He doesn’t ask gently or mince his words, inquiring straight out. Sighing, I take a step back as the memories of this evening flash through my mind. I close my eyes and sigh as I try to sort my thoughts. There isn’t a pretty way to say this, so I follow his lead and don’t hide any of the truth or pain.

“The prince is looking for a wife. We were invited to mingle and prove ourselves. Those who didn’t do a good enough job were... killed, poisoned. A lot of ladies died tonight.”

“Fuck.” He genuinely sounds upset at this turn of events. I glance up and search his expression, noticing his features are taut with anger. There’s something about seeing him like this that awakens something within me, that sense of familiarity rising again. His eyes scan my face, assessing, and I can tell from the tension in his body that he wants to reach out, to touch me.

Admit it, you want him to touch you too.Pushing the thought away, I notice my eyes are locked on his lips, so I take adeep breath and avert my gaze. I pull my cloak closer around me, hoping it will cover my shiver—not from the cold, but the fact he is standing so close to me.

“Are you okay?” His voice is gruff, and I get the feeling he’s not asking me about my flushing cheeks, but about this evening’s massacre.

“I’ve seen much death.” Truth. I learned from an early age to expect to die at any moment, for any reason. Many slaves were killed for the smallest of errors, or even just because their master was in a bad mood. There didn’t have to be a reason behind it. I sound blasé, but if I was to tell him how I really felt, I fear I wouldn’t be able to contain my feelings.

Tor makes a noise and crosses his arms over his chest, his intense gaze locked on my face as if it holds the answers to all his questions. “So have I, but that doesn’t make it any easier.”

He’s right. My life is so different now than how it used to be. Before, I was numb to death, but now, now I’ve been given a chance, a hope, and seeing those ladies die, their lives cut short, seems so much crueller now than it did previously. My heart begins to thaw and it’s a painful process, and part of me wishes I could go back to being unfeeling.

“They gave us all a box, and inside there was a chocolate for each lady. Some of them contained poison, there was no way to tell which were safe to eat. Those who refused were forced.” He’s silent as I speak, and his face gives nothing away, but his body is vibrating with tension. All of a sudden, it’s like his control snaps, and he is growling and pacing the space inside the shield, his hands clenching and unclenching. He speaks in a guttural language I don’t understand, looking up at the sky occasionally and, with surprise, I realise he’s praying. Barking out a harsh word, he darts forward and punches the wall that surrounds the fountain. He shouts that word again as he cradles his hand against his chest. Yup, definitely a swear word.

Raising my eyebrows, I step forward and hold out my hand, gesturing for him to let me see his injury. He stares at me, frowning and panting, before slowly placing his hand in mine. Tor stills as I run my fingers over his already bruising knuckles, holding his breath while I examine him.

“I don’t think you’ve broken anything, but your hand will be swollen and bruised for a while.” Letting go of his hand, I try to take a step back, but he reaches out to stop me. I glance up and realise just how close we are standing. I should feel uncomfortable, but the connection between us is practically humming with pleasure.

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